Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 06, 2014
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of August 4 to August 10
Issued August 4, 2014
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• In the Kasilof River: This emergency effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, July 4 increased the sockeye salmon bag limit to 6 per day and 12 in possession through August 7.
• In the Kasilof River Personal Use Fishery: This emergency effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 4 increased the area open to dip netting from shore upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge and increased the area open to dip netting from a boat upstream to an ADF&G marker located at approximately river mile 3, through August 7.
• Kasilof River Personal Use Dip Net: The Kasilof River personal use fishery is open until 11:59 p.m. August 7. Please review regulations on page 15 of the Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation summary booklet. You must remove tips of the tails and record your harvest at the place where salmon were taken from the water whether fishing waters open to personal use from a shoreline, streambank, or boat.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers
• King salmon fishing is closed for the year.
• Sockeye salmon fishing in the Kenai River is slow, fishing success will wax and wane as groups of sockeye salmon migrate into the Kenai River and move upriver to fishing areas.
• Pink salmon are migrating into the Kenai River in very large numbers. Anglers fishing for sockeye salmon and anglers fishing for coho salmon are catching pink salmon from Skilak Lake downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River.
• Coho salmon fishing is slow in both the Kenai and Kasilof rivers however it is early in the run and coho salmon fishing is expected to improve over the next several days.
Salmon – Upper Kenai River - Russian River
• Sockeye salmon fishing success in the Upper Kenai River is low at this time and is expected to improve as late-run sockeye salmon arrive to this area.
• Presently fishing success for sockeye salmon has improved recently in the Russian – Kenai rivers confluence area.
• At this time water levels are very low in the Russian River. Few sockeye salmon are holding in fishing areas of the Russian River.
Kasilof River Personal Use Fishing
• The personal use fishing outlook at the Kasilof River from August 4 until the season closes by standard regulations at 11:59 p.m. August 7 is for relatively slow fishing as the sockeye salmon run nears the end.
• By regulation dip netting at the Kasilof River mouth is allowed only inside the ADF&G markers located on the Cook Inlet beaches. A straight line of sight between the 2 markers designates the seaward boundary line for the area open to dip netting.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing for rainbow trout has been fair to good recently in the Kenai River as water conditions are ideal.
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.