(Soldotna) - In an effort to allow dipnetters a greater chance to harvest their household limits of sockeye salmon on the Kasilof River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is expanding the Kasilof River personal use dipnetting area.  

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. 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. Wednesday, July 24 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2019. 

Dipnetting on the Kasilof River is allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use permit and a 2019 Resident Sport Fishing license are required to participate. Only Alaska residents can participate. King salmon or non-salmon species may not be kept in the Kasilof River personal use salmon fishery.  Any king salmon, Dolly Varden, or rainbow/steelhead trout caught while dipnetting must be released immediately unharmed to the water.

The biological escapement goal on the Kasilof River is 160,000-340,000 sockeye salmon. As of Sunday, July 21, 2019, a total of 231,900 sockeye salmon have passed the Kasilof River sonar site.  The current escapement of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the biological escapement goal. 

In addition to expanding the area open to dipnetting on the Kasilof River, ADF&G issued emergency order number 2-RS-1-37-19 increasing the sport fishing bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to six per day and twelve in possession effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 24 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka at (907) 262-9368.

#19-2797