Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries


Location: Kenai River (Chinook)
Species: Chinook - Early Run
Method: Sonar

The selected years are color-coded in the graphs below:

  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
Daily Counts

* graphs are images and may be cached by browser

 Cumulative

Description: In 2015 the department began managing Kenai River king salmon runs using an ARIS sonar station located at river mile 14. In 2017 the Department modified the Kenai River king salmon escapement goals from goals based on king salmon of all sizes, to escapement goals based on large king salmon (fish over 34 inches) only. The early-run king salmon optimal escapement goal range is 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon (> 34 inches). In 2020 the late-run king salmon escapement goal was modified to an optimal escapement goal range is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (> 34 inches). The ARIS sonar counts found on this page are the daily and seasonal cumulative passage estimates of the number of large king salmon passing the sonar site. Additionally, the past years counts displayed on this page have been converted to large fish counts for comparison. These estimated numbers of large king salmon passing the sonar site are the primary tool for the Kenai River king salmon assessment program that also includes a sport angler harvest survey, and a netting program. The data gathered in these assessments are used together to determine king salmon run strength. This data in conjunction with Fishery Management Plans, allows fishery managers to determine if emergency order regulation changes to the fisheries are needed during the season to help ensure that the escapement goals are achieved. These abundance assessments as well as information about the status of the run and inseason management actions can be viewed via this website on the above tabs. Information is also available by telephone at (907)262-9097.

Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Early Run: 3,900 - 6,600 (Graphed above)
Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Late Run: 15,000 - 30,000

Contact: Area Management Biologist,
9072602920

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

46 records returned for the years selected. Dashes indicate days with no count.
[Export results in Excel format or JSON format]

Date
2026		 Count
2026		 Cumulative
2026		 Cumulative
2025		 Cumulative
2024		 Cumulative
2023		 Cumulative
2022		 Notes for
2026
06/30 - 114 2,541 1,365 1,975 2,051  
06/29 - 114 2,458 1,323 1,914 2,004  
06/28 - 114 2,386 1,311 1,884 1,980  
06/27 - 114 2,326 1,281 1,793 1,934  
06/26 - 114 2,278 1,251 1,660 1,906  
06/25 - 114 2,214 1,215 1,605 1,864  
06/24 - 114 2,157 1,173 1,541 1,768  
06/23 - 114 2,097 1,137 1,444 1,719  
06/22 - 114 2,085 1,095 1,352 1,625  
06/21 - 114 2,073 1,053 1,316 1,564  
06/20 - 114 1,983 1,035 1,255 1,491  
06/19 - 114 1,911 989 1,152 1,400  
06/18 - 114 1,857 965 1,051 1,276  
06/17 - 114 1,767 941 977 1,188  
06/16 - 114 1,661 868 892 1,103  
06/15 - 114 1,594 802 813 1,030  
06/14 - 114 1,470 760 704 909  
06/13 - 114 1,342 658 589 830  
06/12 - 114 1,170 586 419 708  
06/11 - 114 1,001 496 377 599  
06/10 - 114 885 418 341 530  
06/09 - 114 767 355 305 463  
06/08 - 114 707 319 263 398  
06/07 - 114 627 271 233 356  
06/06 - 114 540 241 221 307  
06/05 - 114 461 181 173 265  
06/04 - 114 346 139 149 235  
06/03 - 114 246 132 137 187  
06/02 24 114 198 114 106 169  
06/01 0 90 138 114 100 120  
05/31 30 90 96 96 46 96  
05/30 18 60 72 84 36 84  
05/29 -12 42 48 66 24 72  
05/28 12 54 30 54 24 42  
05/27 24 42 30 36 24 30  
05/26 0 18 30 12 18 12  
05/25 12 18 24 6 18 12  
05/24 6 6 24 6 18 0  
05/23 0 0 24 6 18 0  
05/22 0 0 24 6 18 0  
05/21 6 0 18 6 24 0  
05/20 0 -6 6 0 18 0  
05/19 0 -6 0 0 6 0  
05/18 0 -6 0 0 6 0  
05/17 0 -6 0 0 6 0  
05/16 -6 -6 0 0 6 0 One Chinook was observed going downstream with no upstream passage which resulted in the negative number for today's estimate. The one fish observed within the hour is expanded, resulting in the daily estimate being -6.

Non-Sonar Tools

Early Run Netting Project CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at river mile 8.6.

Early Run Sport CPUE Index

The Sport Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon in the lower Kenai River and is based on the success rate of anglers fishing downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge Crossing in Soldotna.

Early Run Netting Project Large Fish CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at the sonar station located at river mile 8.6.

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

Final Early Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary

KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN CHINOOK SALMON FINAL INSEASON SUMMARY

WEDNESDAY JULY 3

Chinook salmon run update:

The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2019. The total estimated passage through June 30th was 4,186 large king salmon (> 75 cm mid-eye-to-tail-fork-length or ~ 34 inches in total length). The return is above the preseason forecast estimate of 3,168 large fish but remains well below the historical average. The department applies a catch-and-release mortality rate of 8% to the catch of king salmon above the sonar to generate a preliminary spawning escapement estimate of 4,173 large early-run king salmon. The optimal escapement goal of 3,900-6,600 large fish was achieved.

Kenai River late-run king salmon updates will begin on July 5th.

Management of the Kenai River king salmon sport fishery transitions to late-run management July 1. Emergency order (EO 2-KS-1-23-19) issued June 18, 2019 opens the July sport fishery with no bait from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek. From Slikok Creek upstream to the Skilak Lake general regulation applies. Please review regulations on page 50 of the 2019 Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation summary booklet.

Fishery Update:  

Fishing success has been reported as fair to poor as water conditions have been unfavorable to sport fishing. The ADF&G creel survey and netting programs began operations on May 16. Data collected so far from these projects indicates below average CPUE’s for netting of all sizes of Chinook salmon. The creel survey indicates below average success rates for catch and release fishing on the Kenai River. Water levels continue raise and water clarity is poor which could affect angler success for this coming weekend.

The preseason outlook for the 2019 early-run can be found at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/fishing/pdfs/sport/byarea/southcentral/2019KenaiEarlyRunOutlook.pdf

Water Conditions: 

Water levels in the Kenai River are above average and water temperature is average.

CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 17,100 on July 3.

CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 15,700 on July 3.

CFS at Cooper Landing was 10,200 on July 3.

Water Temperature was 58.0 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site on July 3.

This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.

Final data is subject to change.