Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
Emergency Orders are in effect for the following areas:
In the Kenai River: Effective Saturday July 9, an emergency order allowed the use of bait/scent from its mouth upstream to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek. Bait/scent is still prohibited while sport fishing in the Kenai River 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 14. Retention of king salmon in this upper section is regulated to only kings under 42” or over 55” in total length. Regulations for waters closed to king salmon fishing downstream of Skilak Lake remain in effect.
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.

Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers

The Russian River sockeye salmon fishing is slow, with high water making it difficult to find fish and difficult to land them. Counts dropped off over the weekend and the run is most likely winding down. Sockeye salmon counts from the weir are available on the departments fish count webpage.
Water levels in the Kenai and Russian rivers are well above normal.
Sport fishing for king salmon in the Kenai River was very good over the weekend. Bait and excellent water conditions made for good catch rates in the sport fishery. The number of king salmon in the river should continue to provide moderately good fishing success.
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.
Kasilof River king salmon fishing has slowed recently. The late-run on the Kasilof is generally later run-timing than late-run Kenai River king salmon, and tend to increase in abundance the last half of July.
Sport fishing for sockeye salmon on the Kenai improved last week with increased passage rates of sockeye starting on July 4. Catch rates should be moderately good if passage rates of sockeye salmon remain above 25,000 fish a day past the sonar at river mile 19.
The mouth of the Kasilof opened to personal use dipnetting on Saturday June 25. Catch rates have been low.
The mouth of the Kenai opened to personal use dipnetting on Sunday July 10. Catch rates have been low.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are good as the drainage is open to sport fishing under the existing regulations.

Lake Fishing

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 throughout summer. Stocked Kenai Peninsula lakes as well as numerous lakes support natural populations of rainbow trout, lake trout and Dolly Varden. 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.