Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 19, 2014
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of June 16 to June 23
Issued June 19, 2014
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• In the Kenai River: This emergency order closes Kenai River to king salmon fishing from Thursday, May 1 through Monday, June 30. In addition, from Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31, king salmon fishing will be closed from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake.
• In the Kasilof River: This emergency order prohibits the use of multiple hooks and bait and prohibits the retention of naturally-produced king salmon and reduces the bag and possession limit of hatchery-produced king salmon 20 inches or greater in length to one fish in the Kasilof River beginning Thursday, May 1 through Monday, June 30. Naturally-produced king salmon may not be possessed or retained; naturally-produced king salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. A naturally-produced king salmon is a king salmon with an adipose fin intact.
• Kasilof River Personal Use Gillnet: This fishery is open from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. Participants are reminded nets must be spaced a minimum distance of 100 feet apart.
• Anglers should review the regulation booklet and a February 25 department news release for a summary of regulation changes and new regulations adopted by the board of fisheries during 2014. Anglers should also review an April 15 department news release summarizing corrections to the printed regulation booklet.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers
• The Kenai River is closed to fishing for early-run king salmon.
• The early-run of king salmon to the Kasilof River is not forecasted and part of the run is hatchery king salmon. Early-run king salmon abundance in the Kasilof River is expected to be low.
• Few king salmon are entering the Kasilof River at this time. Typically the numbers of king salmon entering the Kasilof River increases during the first half of June.
• Sockeye salmon are migrating into both the Kasilof and Kenai rivers. Anglers are catching a few.
Salmon – Russian River
• Russian River sockeye salmon fishing has been consistently fair to good fishing throughout the day since this fishery opened for the season on June 11. A good run is in progress.
• The daily bag limit is 3 sockeye salmon.
• The Russian River sanctuary is closed to all fishing.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing for rainbow trout has been good in the Kenai River.
• Water conditions are changing as water level starts to rise. Fishing should remain good.
Resident Fish — Kasilof River
• Fishing opportunity in the ‘slack water’ area immediately below the Tustumena Lake outlet has been reported to be slow. Anglers are reminded that Crooked Creek is closed to all fishing through July 31.
Lake Fishing
• Fishing conditions at area lakes are very good. Stocked Kenai Peninsula lakes as well as numerous lakes support natural populations of rainbow trout, lake trout and Dolly Varden. Numerous Kenai Peninsula Lakes provide great fishing opportunity in the spring while flowing waters are closed to fishing. Bait fished under a bobber, small spinners and spoons or fly fishing from a float tube all produce great catch rates during the spring immediately after ice-out and can provide anglers with some of the best fishing of the year.
Northern Pike
• Few area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited. Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.
• Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached by a line), bait, spin, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and fish-colored lures and flies.
• There is no closed season for pike and the bag limit is unlimited. Wanton waste laws apply so be sure to use, or donate to charity, all the pike you harvest.