Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries


Location: Kenai River (Chinook)
Species: Chinook - Late Run
Method: Sonar

The selected years are color-coded in the graphs below:

  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
Daily Counts
Cumulative

Description: In 2015 the department began managing Kenai River king salmon runs using an ARIS sonar station located at river mile 14. In 2017 the Department modified the Kenai River king salmon escapement goals from goals based on king salmon of all sizes, to escapement goals based on large king salmon (fish over 34 inches) only. The early-run king salmon optimal escapement goal range is 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon (> 34 inches). In 2020 the late-run king salmon escapement goal was modified to an optimal escapement goal range is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (> 34 inches). The ARIS sonar counts found on this page are the daily and seasonal cumulative passage estimates of the number of large king salmon passing the sonar site. Additionally, the past years counts displayed on this page have been converted to large fish counts for comparison. These estimated numbers of large king salmon passing the sonar site are the primary tool for the Kenai River king salmon assessment program that also includes a sport angler harvest survey, and a netting program. The data gathered in these assessments are used together to determine king salmon run strength. This data in conjunction with Fishery Management Plans, allows fishery managers to determine if emergency order regulation changes to the fisheries are needed during the season to help ensure that the escapement goals are achieved. These abundance assessments as well as information about the status of the run and inseason management actions can be viewed via this website on the above tabs. Information is also available by telephone at (907)262-9097.

Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Early Run: 3,900 - 6,600
Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Late Run: 15,000 - 30,000 (Graphed above)

Contact: Upper Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist,
(907) 262-9368

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

58 records returned for the years selected. Dashes indicate days with no count.
[Export results in Excel format or JSON format]

Date
2024
Count
2024
Cumulative
2024
Cumulative
2023
Cumulative
2022
Cumulative
2021
Cumulative
2020
Notes for
2024
Aug-27 - 0 13,922 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-26 - 0 13,776 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-25 - 0 13,679 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-24 - 0 13,612 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-21 - 0 13,436 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-20 - 0 13,257 13,425 11,832 11,499  
Aug-19 - 0 13,111 13,425 11,754 11,486  
Aug-18 - 0 12,911 13,338 11,656 11,413  
Aug-17 - 0 12,747 13,253 11,486 11,292  
Aug-16 - 0 12,552 13,124 11,419 11,062  
Aug-15 - 0 12,381 12,961 11,279 10,813  
Aug-14 - 0 12,161 12,779 11,151 10,491  
Aug-13 - 0 12,045 12,567 10,884 10,254  
Aug-12 - 0 11,814 12,257 10,684 10,066  
Aug-11 - 0 11,559 11,887 10,491 9,867  
Aug-10 - 0 11,347 11,626 10,303 9,719  
Aug-09 - 0 11,111 11,407 9,757 9,616  
Aug-08 - 0 10,844 11,270 9,248 9,483  
Aug-07 - 0 10,424 11,124 8,872 9,325  
Aug-06 - 0 9,677 10,875 8,419 9,185  
Aug-05 - 0 9,313 10,487 8,064 8,827  
Aug-04 - 0 9,058 10,024 7,747 8,494  
Aug-03 - 0 8,889 9,711 7,504 8,089  
Aug-02 - 0 8,555 9,377 6,729 7,932  
Aug-01 - 0 7,960 9,001 6,420 7,647  
Jul-31 - 0 7,582 8,686 6,189 7,465  
Jul-30 - 0 7,260 8,189 5,818 7,112  
Jul-29 - 0 6,980 7,825 5,636 6,681  
Jul-28 - 0 6,725 7,394 5,296 6,456  
Jul-27 - 0 6,481 7,077 5,077 6,019  
Jul-26 - 0 6,250 6,531 4,864 5,692  
Jul-25 - 0 5,880 6,136 4,610 5,438  
Jul-24 - 0 5,467 5,675 4,452 5,146  
Jul-23 - 0 5,036 5,329 4,270 4,970  
Jul-22 - 0 4,600 4,927 4,142 4,787  
Jul-21 - 0 4,309 4,539 3,953 4,520  
Jul-20 - 0 4,114 4,142 3,717 4,164  
Jul-19 - 0 3,811 3,832 3,207 3,879  
Jul-18 - 0 3,708 3,419 2,872 3,615  
Jul-17 - 0 3,544 2,982 2,581 3,404  
Jul-16 - 0 3,016 2,655 2,363 3,153  
Jul-15 - 0 2,469 2,352 2,113 2,941  
Jul-14 - 0 2,244 2,147 1,871 2,680  
Jul-13 - 0 1,886 1,890 1,714 2,220  
Jul-12 - 0 1,654 1,751 1,538 1,699  
Jul-11 - 0 1,369 1,597 1,423 1,407  
Jul-10 - 0 1,163 1,475 1,303 1,249  
Jul-09 - 0 1,018 1,162 1,121 989  
Jul-08 - 0 733 950 994 831  
Jul-07 - 0 575 731 812 728  
Jul-06 - 0 484 537 709 583  
Jul-05 - 0 393 404 606 407  
Jul-04 - 0 314 307 515 304  
Jul-03 - 0 211 222 369 219  
Jul-02 - 0 120 172 253 146  
Jul-01 - 0 60 123 140 73  

The data for the estimate graphs is not available. Please try again later.

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area


Late Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary for Wed. Jul 3

KENAI RIVER LATE RUN CHINOOK SALMON INSEASON SUMMARY #1

WEDNESDAY JULY 2

Chinook Salmon Run Update:

Estimation of the late-run began on July 1, the daily estimated passage was 97 Chinook salmon. The preseason forecast is for approximately 21,700 large fish which is well below average. In response to the low forecast and general performance of king salmon runs throughout Cook Inlet, ADF&G restricted the king salmon fishery downstream from Slikok Creek by prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks. King salmon fishing upstream from ADF&G markers downstream of Slikok Creek to the outlet of Skilak Lake will be under general regulation effective 11:59 p.m. Wednesday July 3, 2019. ADF&G will be monitoring the run closely.

The next inseason summary will be updated Friday, July 5th.

Fishery Update:  

Fishing effort and catch rates have been below average as water conditions have been unfavorable to anglers. 

For complete information about the late-run outlook please visit the following link:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/fishing/pdfs/sport/byarea/southcentral/2019KenaiLateRunOutlook.pdf

Water Conditions: 

Water levels in the Kenai River are above average and water temperature is average.

CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 16,800 on July 2.

CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 15,100 on July 2.

CFS at Cooper Landing was 10,100 on July 2.

Water Temperature was 58.0 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site on July 2.

This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.

Final data is subject to change.