Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 23, 2015

North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of June 22 to June 28

Attention Anglers: Due to the Card Road Fire on the Kenai Peninsula, Skilak Loop Road has been closed by the Department of Transportation. All campgrounds on Skilak Loop Road have been closed by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This road closure also affects access to the Upper and Lower Skilak Lake boat launches. Jim’s Landing at the East entrance of Skilak Loop Road near approximately Sterling Highway mile post 58 remains open to the public. Maps of this affected area can be viewed on pages 63 and 73 of the Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet.
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:

  • Russian River Sanctuary area will be open to sockeye salmon sport fishing beginning at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 23rd. There is a map of the area on page 66 of the 2015 Southcentral regulation booklet.
  • Beginning at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 23, the bag limit will increase to six (6) sockeye salmon and the possession limit will increase to twelve (12) sockeye salmon in the Russian River and a section of the Upper Kenai River mainstem. This area extends from Skilak Lake upstream to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls.
  • 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).
  • Kasilof River Personal Use Gillnet: Under existing regulations this fishery closes at 11:00 pm. June 24.
  • Kasilof River Personal Use Dip Net: Under existing regulations this fishery opens June 25. Please review pages 15 through 17 of the Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation summary booklet.

Salmon – Kenai, Russian & Kasilof rivers

  • Russian River sockeye salmon fishing is expected to remain good to excellent over the next several days as fish continue to arrive to this area. The 2015 Russian River early-run sockeye salmon forecast is above average.
  • Early-run sockeye salmon are being caught in both the Kenai and Kasilof rivers.
  • At Kasilof River king salmon fishing success slowed last week. Fishing has been successful very early in the morning and on select tides. Typically by late-June king salmon fishing at Kasilof River the number of king salmon migrating into the river begins to decline.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

  • The Kenai River water level and discharge is above average.
  • Anglers fishing for rainbow trout were having success throughout the Kenai River drainage area.

Resident Fish — Kasilof River

  • Anglers are reminded that 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.