Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 24, 2015

North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of July 20 to July 26

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

  • Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
  • In the Kenai River: This emergency order allows the use of bait in the Kenai River beginning 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015, anglers. King salmon fishing remains closed upstream of ADF&G markers located 300 yards downstream of Slikok Creek (see below).
  • In the Kenai River: This emergency order closes the Kenai River to king salmon fishing from Friday, May 1 through Friday, July 31, 2015 from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to ADF&G markers at the outlet of Skilak Lake.
  • In the Kasilof River: This emergency order allows the use of bait and multiple hooks beginning 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015.
  • Kenai River Personal Use Dip Net: This emergency order allows the retention of king salmon in the Kenai River personal use dip net fishery beginning 6:00 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2015.
  • In the Kasilof River: This emergency order is effective beginning at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, August 7, 2015, increases the bag limit will increase to six (6) sockeye salmon and the possession limit will increase to twelve (12) sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River.
  • Kasilof River Personal Use Dip Net: This emergency order effective beginning at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, August 7, 2015 increases the area open to dip netting from shore upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge crossing. The area open to dip netting from a boat also increases from an ADF&G marker at river mile 1 to an ADF&G marker located at approximately river mile 3.

Salmon – Kenai, Russian & Kasilof rivers

  • King salmon fishing is fair to good in the Kenai and Kasilof rivers and may improve in the days ahead as the run continues.
  • Water clarity in the Kenai River is good.
  • Sockeye salmon are moving into the Kenai River and fishing should be fair to good for the remainder of the season.
  • Russian River sockeye salmon fishing is slow but will improve as more late-run sockeye salmon migrate to this area near the end of the month.

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.

Personal Use Kenai and Kasilof Rivers

  • The Kenai River dip netting success has been very low since it began on July 10. Those fishing at Kasilof River are having better success.
  • The Kenai River City Dock will be closed during the low tide each day.