Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 25, 2014
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of August 25 to September 4
Issued August 25, 2014
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Personal use fishing permits must be returned to ADF&G, please return your permit.
• The Russian-Kenai river confluence area and the Russian River: This area closed to sockeye salmon fishing by standard regulation at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, August 20. Please review page 51 of the Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet the coho salmon bag limit in this area is 1 per day / 1 in possession.
• In the Kenai River: Please review the daily bag limit regulations for salmon. The coho salmon bag limit is 2 per day thru August 31 while pink salmon limit is 6 per day. Beginning September 1 the coho salmon bag limit is 3 per day as detailed in the regulation summary booklet.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers
• Water levels are high for this time of year, however are nearing average and fishing conditions are generally good.
• Pink salmon are migrating into the Kenai River in very large numbers. Anglers fishing for coho salmon are catching pink salmon from Skilak Lake downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River.
• Coho salmon fishing is good in both the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. Large numbers of pink salmon in the Kenai River make it difficult to fish for coho salmon. Coho salmon fishing is expected to improve later in August and during September after the pink salmon spawn and die.
Salmon – Upper Kenai River - Russian River & Swanson River
• Coho salmon are present in these areas. Please review page 51 of the regulation booklet as the coho salmon bag limit is 1 per day/ 1in possession for the Russian-Kenai rivers confluence area and in the Russian River. The bag limit for the Swanson River is 2 per day.
• At this time water levels will increase and decrease depending on rainfall amounts.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing for rainbow trout has been good recently in the Kenai River. As water conditions improve fishing success will also improve.
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.