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:

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
Daily Counts
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
2025		 Count
2025		 Cumulative
2025		 Cumulative
2024		 Cumulative
2023		 Cumulative
2022		 Cumulative
2021		 Notes for
2025
Jun-30 83 2,541 1,365 1,975 2,051 4,131  
Jun-29 72 2,458 1,323 1,914 2,004 4,033  
Jun-28 60 2,386 1,311 1,884 1,980 3,930  
Jun-27 48 2,326 1,281 1,793 1,934 3,861  
Jun-26 64 2,278 1,251 1,660 1,906 3,807  
Jun-25 57 2,214 1,215 1,605 1,864 3,728  
Jun-24 60 2,157 1,173 1,541 1,768 3,649  
Jun-23 12 2,097 1,137 1,444 1,719 3,551  
Jun-22 12 2,085 1,095 1,352 1,625 3,424  
Jun-21 90 2,073 1,053 1,316 1,564 3,303  
Jun-20 72 1,983 1,035 1,255 1,491 3,195  
Jun-19 54 1,911 989 1,152 1,400 3,104  
Jun-18 90 1,857 965 1,051 1,276 3,000  
Jun-17 106 1,767 941 977 1,188 2,915  
Jun-16 67 1,661 868 892 1,103 2,745  
Jun-15 124 1,594 802 813 1,030 2,654  
Jun-14 128 1,470 760 704 909 2,479  
Jun-13 172 1,342 658 589 830 2,279  
Jun-12 169 1,170 586 419 708 2,109  
Jun-11 116 1,001 496 377 599 1,951  
Jun-10 118 885 418 341 530 1,836  
Jun-09 60 767 355 305 463 1,702  
Jun-08 80 707 319 263 398 1,544  
Jun-07 87 627 271 233 356 1,283  
Jun-06 79 540 241 221 307 1,077  
Jun-05 115 461 181 173 265 913  
Jun-04 100 346 139 149 235 768  
Jun-03 48 246 132 137 187 574  
Jun-02 60 198 114 106 169 465  
Jun-01 42 138 114 100 120 374  
May-31 24 96 96 46 96 326  
May-30 24 72 84 36 84 290  
May-29 18 48 66 24 72 271  
May-28 0 30 54 24 42 235  
May-27 0 30 36 24 30 217  
May-26 6 30 12 18 12 144  
May-25 0 24 6 18 12 102  
May-24 0 24 6 18 0 96  
May-23 0 24 6 18 0 84  
May-22 6 24 6 18 0 78  
May-21 12 18 6 24 0 72  
May-20 6 6 0 18 0 60  
May-19 0 0 0 6 0 54  
May-18 0 0 0 6 0 48  
May-17 0 0 0 6 0 18  
May-16 0 0 0 6 0 0  

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.