(Homer) – Consistent with the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River king salmon sport fishery management plan, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restricting the days open to sport fishing for king salmon on the Ninilchik River, reducing the daily bag limit for hatchery king salmon, and restricting gear from May 23 through July 31.

Season dates: Fishing for hatchery king salmon will begin on Memorial Day weekend (May 23 – May 25, 2026) and will only be open on the following weekends in May and June: May 30 – June 1, June 6 – 8, June 20 – 22, and June 27 – 29. The youth only fishery will be open to anglers 15 year of age or younger on June 3 from 6am to 10pm. Sport fishing for all other species will also be open during these dates and from July 16 through October 31.

Limits: Hatchery king salmon 20” or greater in length daily bag and possession limit is 1 fish and the daily bag and possession limit of hatchery king salmon less than 20” in length is 10. Anglers that harvest a hatchery king salmon 20” or greater in length may not sport fish in the Ninilchik River for the rest of the day. During the youth-only fishery on June 3, the daily bag and possession limit is 1 hatchery king salmon of any size. After harvesting a hatchery king salmon of any size in the youth fishery, the angler may not sport fish in the Ninilchik River for the rest of the day. If you harvest a hatchery king salmon 20” or greater in length, you must immediately record the harvest, and it is included in the Cook Inlet annual limit of 5 fish. Naturally-produced king salmon may not be retained, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately.

Gear restriction: Gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure from May 23 through July 31 when fishing for any species.

The Ninilchik River sustainable escapement goal (SEG) was updated in 2023 to 900–1,600 naturally produced king salmon, but the SEG was not achieved in 2022, 2023, or 2024. Reducing the season and bag limit and removing the use of bait will help to reduce the catch-and-release mortality of naturally-produced king salmon when fishing for hatchery king salmon.

“Since we’ve missed the Ninilchik River king salmon escapement goal in three of the last four years, we are taking a more precautionary approach with the start of this season,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “We will be monitoring this year’s run very closely and will further adjust the regulations inseason to provide more sport fishing opportunity if the escapement goal and broodstock needs will be met.”

King salmon are experiencing a period of poor productivity and many escapement goals are not expected to be achieved within Cook Inlet during 2026. The Department is taking conservative actions in sport fisheries throughout the region, please see separate advisory announcements for king salmon regulations for the Anchor River and Deep Creek, Kenai River, Kasilof River, Northern Cook Inlet Streams and Cook Inlet saltwater.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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