Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 11, 2015
North Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week of May 11 to May 18
Issued May 11, 2015
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
• Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
• 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).
• On May 2 many flowing waters closed to all sport fishing by regulation. The seasonal closures are in effect through June 10. Anglers are reminded to check the regulation booklet as the water they may intend to fish may be closed to all fishing.
• 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.
• Hooligan are migrating into the Kenai and Kasilof rivers.
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. The 2015 Russian River early-run sockeye salmon forecast is above average and good fishing is expected.
• 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
• The Upper Kenai River from waters of Skilak Lake within a ½-mile radius of the river inlet upstream to regulatory markers at the outlet of Kenai Lake, located a ¼ mile upstream from the Sterling Highway Bridge closes to all fishing May 2 through June 10. Please review the regulation booklet.
• The Kenai River upstream of an ADF&G marker at approximately river mile 45 or about 1 mile upstream from the mouth of the Lower Killey River closes to all fishing May 2 through June 10. Please review the regulation booklet.
• Fishing opportunity in the ‘slack water’ area immediately below the Tustumena Lake outlet has been reported to be slow Anglers are reminded that Tustumena Lake tributaries closed to all fishing May 2 and Crooked Creek is closed to all fishing through July 31.
• Fishing for steelhead trout downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge has been good recently because of the early spring.
Lake Fishing
• Some of the best lake fishing of the year is here. Ice-out was April 10 thru April 16. Fishing conditions at area lakes are good and will remain good over the next few 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.
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.