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: 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, except starting September 1 no more than three may be coho salmon) in the Kenai River 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 now closed by regulation. A few coho salmon are available, and bead fishing is good as the spawn is occurring.
Water level on the Kenai River is above normal.
Sport fishing for sockeye salmon on the Kenai is almost to an end, with a few sockeye being caught above Bings landing.
Sport fishing for pink salmon has slowed considerably in the lower river. Middle river continues to be good, but fish quality is beginning to deteriorate.
Sport fishing success for coho salmon on the Kenai improved slightly by the end of last week and into the weekend. Catch rates are in the 4-5 fish per trip range with 4 people fishing.
Sport fishing for coho salmon on the Kasilof has been slow with little effort occurring there.

Resident Fish — Kenai River

Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are good as the drainage is open to sport fishing under the existing regulations.
The spawn of king salmon and sockeye salmon has begun; trout fishing should be excellent 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 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.