Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

July 2, 2026

Freshwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing is now closed on the Kasilof River.
• Kasilof River personal use dipnet fishery opened on June 25.
• Kasilof River sockeye salmon fishing is ramping up quickly. Limits are being caught.
• Kenai River (late-run king) salmon sonar at river mile 14 is up and running. Daily counts can be found on our website.
• Kenai River (late-run sockeye) sonar counts started on July 1. Daily counts can be found on our website.
• Trout fishing on the Russian River has been good. Beads, small flesh flies, nymphs, epoxy fry, and dry flies are producing. Kenai River has been producing some nice rainbows. Leeches, flesh flies, and beads have been productive
• Russian River weir was installed on June 3, and the escapement count through July 1 is 33,039 sockeye; counts are updated on our website. The Russian River Sanctuary Area is open, see map below
• Russian River & Upper Kenai River sockeye salmon bag limits will be increased effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 25 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026. See Emergency Order below.
• The Old Kasilof Landing SRS Site development is complete and open to the public. Creel surveys are occurring at the drift boat takeout by ADF&G staff, please assist our samplers by answering a few short questions about your fishing day.

Saltwater Fishing

Shoreline fishing opportunities from local beaches have been variable, but with generally good reports of halibut and various other species being caught.

Local Lakes

With the recent stockings, fishing on local stocked lakes has been good. With the recent stockings, fishing on local stocked lakes has been good. Try out Sport Lake in Soldotna, or Johnson Lake in Kasilof for areas with decent fishing and good shore access. Try Summit Lake in Turnagain Pass for a variety of species. Take a hike into Crescent Lake for great Arctic grayling action. Additional lakes will be stocked in the coming weeks.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-29-26 increased the sockeye salmon bag limit to six fish per day and twelve in possession for the Russian River and a section of the mainstem Kenai River. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 25 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-31-26 increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession; however, no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon, in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-32-26 Personal use dipnetting from the shore will be allowed in an expanded area from ADF&G markers on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge on the Kasilof River. Dipnetting from a boat is allowed from ADF&G markers located on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to ADF&G markers at approximately river mile 3 of the Kasilof River. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 7.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-26 Based on projections of escapement, ADF&G now estimates that the biological escapement goal for sockeye salmon will be achieved. Therefore ADF&G is announcing an early opening to sport fishing in the Russian River Sanctuary Area. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 18 through Tuesday, July 14
• Emergency Order 2-KS-1-18-26 Kasilof River king salmon regulations are in effect May 1–August 15, 2026, including single-hook artificial lure requirements, limited hatchery king salmon harvest through June 30, mandatory release of wild fish, and seasonal area closures to help protect returning king salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-1-8-26 To protect returning king salmon and support future fishing opportunities, the Kenai River early-run king salmon sport fishery will close May 1–June 19, 2026, with no king salmon fishing (including catch-and-release) allowed; fishing for other species remains open under gear restrictions.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-1-7-26 To protect returning king salmon and support future fishing opportunities, the Kenai River late-run king salmon sport fishery will close June 20–August 15, 2026, with no king salmon fishing (including catch-and-release) allowed; fishing for other species remains open under gear restrictions.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-1-9-26 To protect Kasilof River king salmon, the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River will operate under restricted dates (June 20–24, 2026) and regular fishing hours as managers work to meet king salmon escapement goals.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Soldotna Office at 907-262-9368