Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries


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

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

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
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 (Graphed above)
Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Late Run: 15,000 - 30,000

Contact: Area Management Biologist,
9072602920

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

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

Date
2025		 Count
2025		 Cumulative
2025		 Cumulative
2024		 Cumulative
2023		 Cumulative
2022		 Cumulative
2021		 Notes for
2025
Jun-30 83 2,541 1,365 1,975 2,051 4,131  
Jun-29 72 2,458 1,323 1,914 2,004 4,033  
Jun-28 60 2,386 1,311 1,884 1,980 3,930  
Jun-27 48 2,326 1,281 1,793 1,934 3,861  
Jun-26 64 2,278 1,251 1,660 1,906 3,807  
Jun-25 57 2,214 1,215 1,605 1,864 3,728  
Jun-24 60 2,157 1,173 1,541 1,768 3,649  
Jun-23 12 2,097 1,137 1,444 1,719 3,551  
Jun-22 12 2,085 1,095 1,352 1,625 3,424  
Jun-21 90 2,073 1,053 1,316 1,564 3,303  
Jun-20 72 1,983 1,035 1,255 1,491 3,195  
Jun-19 54 1,911 989 1,152 1,400 3,104  
Jun-18 90 1,857 965 1,051 1,276 3,000  
Jun-17 106 1,767 941 977 1,188 2,915  
Jun-16 67 1,661 868 892 1,103 2,745  
Jun-15 124 1,594 802 813 1,030 2,654  
Jun-14 128 1,470 760 704 909 2,479  
Jun-13 172 1,342 658 589 830 2,279  
Jun-12 169 1,170 586 419 708 2,109  
Jun-11 116 1,001 496 377 599 1,951  
Jun-10 118 885 418 341 530 1,836  
Jun-09 60 767 355 305 463 1,702  
Jun-08 80 707 319 263 398 1,544  
Jun-07 87 627 271 233 356 1,283  
Jun-06 79 540 241 221 307 1,077  
Jun-05 115 461 181 173 265 913  
Jun-04 100 346 139 149 235 768  
Jun-03 48 246 132 137 187 574  
Jun-02 60 198 114 106 169 465  
Jun-01 42 138 114 100 120 374  
May-31 24 96 96 46 96 326  
May-30 24 72 84 36 84 290  
May-29 18 48 66 24 72 271  
May-28 0 30 54 24 42 235  
May-27 0 30 36 24 30 217  
May-26 6 30 12 18 12 144  
May-25 0 24 6 18 12 102  
May-24 0 24 6 18 0 96  
May-23 0 24 6 18 0 84  
May-22 6 24 6 18 0 78  
May-21 12 18 6 24 0 72  
May-20 6 6 0 18 0 60  
May-19 0 0 0 6 0 54  
May-18 0 0 0 6 0 48  
May-17 0 0 0 6 0 18  
May-16 0 0 0 6 0 0  

Non-Sonar Tools

Early Run Netting Project CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at river mile 8.6.

Early Run Sport CPUE Index

The Sport Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon in the lower Kenai River and is based on the success rate of anglers fishing downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge Crossing in Soldotna.

Early Run Netting Project Large Fish CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at the sonar station located at river mile 8.6.

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

Early Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary for Thu. May 21

KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON SUMMARY #01

King Salmon Run Update:

The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2020.  The total estimated passage as of May 20th is 0 large king salmon. The historic quarter point of the run on June 4th, is generally the earliest the department has sufficient data to interpret run strength.  The optimal escapement goal for the early-run is 3,900-6,600 large fish. In response to a forecast of ~ 4,800 large king salmon, the fishery is under general regulation which allows for the use of only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure, or fly. Angler’s limits are 1 per a day, 1 in possession of king salmon less than 34 inches, and greater than 20 inches in length. The limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length is 10 per day, 10 in possession. King salmon 34 inches and greater in length may not be retained and must be released immediately. King salmon less than 28 inches in length are not included in the Cook Inlet annual limit during the early-run.

The next update will be on Thursday, May 28.

Fishery Update:

Fishing success has been reported as slow in the lower river as it is early in the season. The ADF&G creel survey and netting programs began operations on May 16. The netting program at this point does not have enough data to provide any indications of the current run characteristics. The creel survey indicates low effort by anglers and slow fishing on the Kenai River so far.

ADF&G would like to remind anglers to adhere to all current State of Alaska health mandates while participating in the Kenai River salmon fisheries.

The preseason outlook for the 2020 early-run can be found at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/fishing/pdfs/sport/byarea/southcentral/2020KenaiEarlyRunOutlook.pdf

Water Conditions: 

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

CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 4,740 and 6.89 ft on May 20.

CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 3,520 and 7.79 ft on May 20.

CFS at Cooper Landing was 3,270 and 8.79 ft on May 20.

Water Temperature was 48 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site on May 20.

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

Final data is subject to change.