Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 08, 2016

 North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of June 6 to June 12
Issued June 6, 2016

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:

• In the Kenai River: This emergency order prohibits the retention of king salmon while sport fishing in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake through June 30. Retention of king salmon is also prohibited in waters of the Kenai River drainage from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake through July 31. Regulations for waters closed to sport fishing downstream of Skilak Lake remain in effect.
• In the Kasilof River: Beginning Sunday, May 1 through Thursday, June 30, 2016, anglers will be allowed to harvest only hatchery-produced king salmon during Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday each week. Naturally-produced king salmon may be retained only on Tuesdays and 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 will be two fish in the Kasilof River of which only one fish may be a naturally-produced king salmon on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 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).
• In Stormy Lake: The retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden is prohibited all year long, as part of an effort to restore this native fish.
• The 2016 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 are closed and will reopen June 11 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.

Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers

• The Russian River opens to sockeye salmon fishing June 11. Sockeye salmon counts from the weir are available on the departments fish count webpage.
• Water levels in the Kenai and Russian rivers are much higher than normal. Anglers familiar with the Russian – Kenai rivers area will find challenging river conditions in areas they may normally fish.
• Catch and release sport fishing for king salmon in the Kenai River is slow at this time because water conditions are not favorable. Anglers cannot retain king salmon of any size (catch-and-release only) and can fish for king salmon using only one, unbaited, barbless, single-hook, artificial fly or lure. Any king salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• From Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 31, fishing but not harvest of king salmon will be open in the Kenai River from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream of Slikok Creek, upstream to the ADF&G marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake.
• Refer to page 71 of the Southcentral sport fishing regulation booklet for information on specific areas of the Kenai River that are closed to fishing for king salmon or that are closed to all fishing May 2 through June 10.
• The early-run of king salmon to the Kasilof River is not forecasted and part of the run is hatchery king salmon. Small early-run hatchery king salmon (those less than 30 inches in length) are expected to be abundant.
• King salmon fishing success is fair to good at the Kasilof River. Generally king salmon fishing success rates peak during the second week of June. Fishing success is expected to remain fair to good thru this week.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

• Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are limited because of spring closures to all sport fishing. Sport fishing for resident species remains open under existing regulations downstream of an ADF&G marker located about 1 mile upstream of the lower Killey River (see page 71 of the regulations summary booklet).

Lake Fishing

• Lake waters warmed sooner than usual because of the early spring. Many area lakes provide great open water fishing opportunity from the shore or to fish from a boat. 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

• A couple 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.