Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 09, 2015

North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of June 8 to June 15
Issued June 8, 2015

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:

  • Thursday, June 11 the Russian River and many flowing waters will open to sport fishing anglers are reminded to check the regulation booklet.
  • 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).

Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers

  • Early-run sockeye salmon are being caught in both rivers.
  • Thursday, June 11 is the day the Russian River opens to sockeye salmon fishing. The 2015 Russian River early-run sockeye salmon forecast is above average, sockeye are present in the Russian River and good fishing is expected during the season.
  • At Kasilof River king salmon fishing has been fair to good. Fishing has been successful very early in the morning and on select tides.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

  • The Upper Kenai River will open to fishing for resident species on Thursday, June 11. Please review the regulation booklet for a description of these waters.
  • 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 will open to fishing for resident species as well as sockeye salmon on Thursday, June 11. Please review the regulation booklet for a description of these waters.

Resident Fish — Kasilof River

  • 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 through June 10 and Crooked Creek is closed to all fishing through July 31.

Lake Fishing

  • Fishing conditions at area lakes will remain good. As water temperature continue to get warmer, anglers fishing early morning hours and late evening hours have the best success. 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.
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