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Division: Sport Fish
Title: Migratory timing and distribution of Kenai River Chinook salmon, 2010–2013, a report to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, 2014
Author: Reimer, A. M
Year: 2013
Report ID: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, Regional Information Report 2A13-06, Anchorage.
Abstract: The migratory timing and distribution of Kenai River Chinook salmon was examined using radio telemetry for early-run and late-run Chinook salmon during the 2010–2013 seasons. Spawning destinations were assigned for 86 fish in 2010, 134 fish in 2011, 197 fish in 2012, and 123 fish in 2013. In all years, the most abundant components of the early run were the Chinook salmon spawning in the Killey River drainage, followed by the Chinook salmon spawning in the mainstem of the Kenai River. With the exception of 1 fish, all Chinook salmon radiotagged during the late run spawned in the mainstem of the Kenai River. Radiotagged Chinook salmon were present in closed to Chinook salmon fishing areas near the confluences of the Funny and Killey Rivers in the latter half of July in most years studied. Radiotagged Chinook salmon that spawned within the Funny River were present in the closed to fishing area near the confluence of the Funny and Kenai Rivers through 31 July in 2010, 20 July in 2011, 8 July in 2012, and 22 July in 2013. Radiotagged Chinook salmon that spawned within the Killey River were present in the closed to fishing area near the confluence of the Killey and Kenai Rivers through August 8 in 2010, 28 July in 2011, 25 July in 2012, and 12 July in 2013. Over 50% of the radiotagged early-run Chinook salmon were in waters with existing closures or restrictions by 1 July in every year studied. On 1 July, 20% (SE 5%), 28% (SE 5%), 11% (SE 5%), and 13% (SE 6%) of radiotagged early-run Chinook salmon were downstream of Slikok Creek in the years 2010–2013, respectively. Upstream of Slikok Creek, 20% (SE 5%), 17% (SE 4%), 20% (SE 6%) and 19% (SE 7%) of radiotagged early-run Chinook salmon were in waters open to sport fishing on 1 July 2010–2013, respectively. Over 75% of the radiotagged early-run Chinook salmon were in waters with existing closures or restrictions by 16 July in every year studied. On 16 July, 8% (SE 4%), 13% (SE 4%), 2% (SE 2%), and 0% of radiotagged, early-run Chinook salmon were downstream of Slikok Creek in 2010–2013, respectively. Upstream of Slikok Creek, 8% (SE 4%), 10% (SE 3%), 15% (SE 6%) and 19% (SE 7%) of radiotagged early-run Chinook salmon were in waters open to sport fishing on 16 July in 2010–2013, respectively.
Keywords: Kenai River, Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, radiotelemetry, stock composition, spawning distribution, run timing