(Soldotna) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is prohibiting bait and multiple hooks in the Kasilof River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Single-hook means a fishhook with only one point. Anglers may harvest either one wild or hatchery king salmon per day and in possession on the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge.

“In order to achieve the Crooked Creek king salmon escapement goal, reduce harvest on Kasilof River wild king salmon, and meet broodstock collection needs in 2019, ADF&G has determined restricting the late-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kasilof River will provide the best chance to achieve these goals,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka. “It’s important to our staff and anglers that we continue our efforts to protect and rebuild our wild king salmon stocks. ADF&G does anticipate an increase in angler effort on the Kasilof River due to late-run king salmon restrictions on the Kenai River.”

In conjunction with this restriction, an additional sport fishing restriction EO 2-KS-1-23-19 was issued starting the Kenai River king salmon fishery off with no bait in July. The use of bait is prohibited on the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek.

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

#19-2765