Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 18, 2016

 North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of August 15 to August 21
Issued August 16, 2016

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• In the Kenai River: This emergency order increases the daily bag limit of salmon over 16” to six per day and twelve in possession (except no more than two may be coho salmon) in the Kenai River from its mouth up to ADF&G markers at the outlet of Skilak Lake beginning 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
• 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 to spotty. Daily counts have dropped back below 1,000 fish past the weir a day. Sockeye salmon counts from the weir are available on the departments fish count webpage.
• Water level on the Kenai River is above normal.
• Sport fishing for sockeye salmon on the Kenai remains slow and spotty since sonar passage estimates remain low.
• Sport fishing for pink salmon is excellent. Bright fish continue to enter the lower river.
• Sport fishing for coho salmon on the Kenai picked up some last week, but still remains moderate. Based on similar run timing to last year’s run, the peak of coho in August could occur by the end of this week, which would improve catch rates in the sport fishery.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

• Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are good as the drainage is open to sport fishing under the existing regulations.
• With spawning approaching of king salmon, trout fishing should improve over the next couple of weeks with beads and egg patterns.

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.

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.