Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
April 15, 2015
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of April 13 to April 19
Issued April 13, 2014
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• In Stormy Lake: The retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden is prohibited through Thursday, April 30, 2015 as part of an effort to restore this native fish.
• In the Kenai River: This emergency order closes Kenai River to king salmon fishing from Friday, May 1 through Tuesday, June 30, 2015. In addition, from Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 31, 2015 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: Beginning Friday, May 1 through Tuesday, June 30, 2015, anglers will be allowed to harvest only hatchery-produced king salmon during Sundays through Friday each week. Naturally-produced king salmon may be retained only Saturdays each week. Hatchery-produced king salmon are distinguished from naturally-produced king salmon in the Kasilof River by a healed adipose fin-clip scar. The adipose fin is the small fleshy fin on the back just ahead of the tail. The bag and possession limit for hatchery-produced king salmon will be reduced to one fish in the Kasilof River. On Saturdays the bag and possession limit will be one king salmon in the Kasilof River of which the one fish may be a naturally- or hatchery-produced king salmon. In addition, the use of bait and multiple hooks will be prohibited in the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway bridge. Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. “Single hook” means a fishhook with only one point (with or without a barb).
• Ice has receded on many area lakes and some lakes are nearly ice-free. Lakes at higher elevations remain ice-covered.
• The 2015 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary is available at Fish and Game offices as well as from many sport fishing license vendors. The regulations can also be viewed or download from the department’s web page.
• Many flowing waters close on May 2 to sport fishing by regulation. Anglers are reminded to check the regulation booklet as the water they may intend to fish may be closed to all fishing.
• The Skilak Loop road driving conditions can be hazardous in the spring. Contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for more detailed information at 262-7021 for updated information.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers
• It is too early to try salmon fishing in the rivers.
• The Russian River opens to sockeye salmon fishing June 11.
• Beginning May 1, 2015 the Kenai River will be 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.
Resident Fish — Kenai River
• Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are good at this time because of the lack of snow and lack of extended periods of cold temperatures this past winter. Presently the Kenai River from Cooper Landing downstream to the Moose River is nearly ice-free. Many anglers are taking advantage of this unique situation by fishing for rainbow trout on the Kenai River.
Lake Fishing
• Some of the best lake fishing of the year is here because the ice has recently “gone-out” at many area lakes providing open water fishing opportunity from the shore while some area lakes are nearly ice-free providing opportunity to fish from a boat. Fishing conditions at area lakes are good and will improve over the next two weeks as water temperatures continue to get warmer. 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 or watercraft all produce great catch rates during the spring during as well as immediately after ice-out.
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.