Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 19, 2014
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of September 15 to September 22
Issued September 16, 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: 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 gear restrictions for the Kenai River on page 48 of the Southcentral Alaska Sportfishing Regulations Summary Booklet. Bait and multiple hooks are prohibited upstream of the Upper Killey – Kenai rivers confluence. In addition, review the daily bag limit regulations for coho salmon and restrictions for coho salmon fishing downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge crossing in Soldotna.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof Rivers
• Kenai River water levels are rising and well above average for September 16. Fishing conditions remain fair. When rainfall events stop for several days water conditions will improve.
• Coho salmon fishing remains good in the Kenai River. Coho salmon fishing is expected to remain good in the Kenai River through September.
• The Kasilof River coho salmon run is smaller than the Kenai River. In addition, less coho salmon enter the Kasilof River during the months of September and October.
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.
• Anglers fishing the upper Swanson River are having good success however the migration of coho salmon into the Swanson River is near the end.
• At this time water levels will increase and decrease depending on rainfall amounts.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing for rainbow trout has been fair to good recently in the Kenai River. As water conditions change fishing success will likely also change.
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.