(Soldotna)–To provide more harvest opportunity for sockeye salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is maintaining the sport fishing bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king salmon, 16 inches or longer, in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake to six per day and twelve in possession effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 16 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025. This includes the flowing waters of the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake. The bag and possession limits for coho, chum and pink salmon will remain the same.

The sockeye salmon bag and possession limit of 6 fish per day with 12 in possession in the lower Kenai River from June 20 through August 15 is provided in the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan. However, starting August 16, limits for sockeye salmon revert to a bag and possession limit of 3 fish per day with 6 in possession and the Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan allows ADF&G to increase the bag and possession limits when the abundance of late-run sockeye salmon exceeds 2.3 million salmon, and the escapement goal is anticipated to be achieved. As of August 11, 2025, the Kenai River sockeye salmon run has exceeded 2.3 million fish and the SEG has been exceeded. Therefore, it is warranted to maintain the higher bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon.

“To provide anglers additional opportunity to harvest late-run sockeye salmon with this historic run in the Kenai River, we are maintaining the higher limits in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake,” stated Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey.

Anglers are reminded to review the Kenai River riverbank closures for habitat protection regulations described on pages 49-51, as well as the fly-fishing only waters downstream of Skilak Lake described on pages 46-47 of the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at (907) 260-2920.

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