Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 03, 2014
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of June 30 to July 7
Issued June 30, 2014
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• In the Kenai River: This emergency order prohibits the use of bait in the Kenai River from Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31. An emergency order issued February 27 remains in effect that closes the Kenai River to king salmon fishing from Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31, from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to an ADFG marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake.
• In the Kasilof River: This emergency order prohibits the use of multiple hooks and bait in the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge from Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31.
• In the Kenai River Personal Use Fishery: This emergency order prohibits the retention of king salmon in the Kenai River personal use dip net fishery that opens at 6:00 a.m., Thursday, July 10.
• In the Russian River: This emergency order opened the Russian River Sanctuary Area to fishing for sockeye salmon at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 24.
• In the Russian River: This emergency order increased the sockeye salmon bag limit to 6 per day and 12 in possession upstream from Skilak Lake to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 24.
• Kasilof River Personal Use Dip Net: This fishery is open from June 25 through August 7. The retention of king salmon is prohibited please review regulations on page 15 of the Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation summary booklet.
• 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
• King salmon fishing in the Kenai River during early July is expected to be very slow because few king salmon are entering the river.
• King salmon fishing in the Kasilof River is also anticipated to be very slow.
• Sockeye salmon continue to migrate into both the Kasilof and Kenai rivers in low numbers. Anglers are catching a few.
• The numbers of sockeye salmon entering the Kenai River should increase through July.
Salmon – Russian River
• Russian River sockeye salmon fishing has been very slow recently because the early-run is coming to an end.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing for rainbow trout has been fair recently in the Kenai River.
Lake Fishing
• Fishing conditions at area lakes are very good. Several Kenai Peninsula lakes are stocked with Rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, land-locked salmon and Arctic char. Numerous lakes also support natural populations of rainbow trout, lake trout and Dolly Varden. Numerous Kenai Peninsula Lakes provide great fishing opportunity through the summer. Bait fished under a bobber, small spinners and spoons or fly fishing from a float tube all may produce high catch rates and can provide anglers great fishing.
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.