Contact:
George Pappas
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-262-9368

Thanks to a good in-river return of early-run king salmon, combined with below-average angler effort and harvests, sport fish anglers may now use bait in the Kenai River mainstem from its mouth upstream to a point 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose River and Kenai River, beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 10.

All other Kenai River special provisions, methods and means and bag and possession limits remain in affect. Anglers may only use one single-pointed hook. Anglers may keep only those king salmon that are less than 44 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. All other king salmon must be released immediately. 

The “Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Conservation Management Plan” directs the Department to achieve a spawning escapement goal of 5,300-9,000 king salmon in the Kenai River. To date, the total in-river run is estimated to be approximately 5,450 king salmon. Total sport harvest is estimated to be approximately 350 king salmon below Soldotna Bridge. Harvest rates have been fair, and angler effort has been very low compared to past years. The Department is currently projecting a total in-river run of early-run king salmon of approximately 13,000-16,000 fish and a spawning escapement in excess of the escapement goal.

Under these circumstances, the management plan directs the Department to establish, by Emergency Order, a fishing period during which bait may be used in the mainstem of the Kenai River. The Emergency Order issued on June 9, will allow the use of bait in the Kenai River from a point 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Kenai River and the Moose River downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River.

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