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 - 0 1,365 1,975 2,051 4,131  
Jun-29 - 0 1,323 1,914 2,004 4,033  
Jun-28 - 0 1,311 1,884 1,980 3,930  
Jun-27 - 0 1,281 1,793 1,934 3,861  
Jun-26 - 0 1,251 1,660 1,906 3,807  
Jun-25 - 0 1,215 1,605 1,864 3,728  
Jun-24 - 0 1,173 1,541 1,768 3,649  
Jun-23 - 0 1,137 1,444 1,719 3,551  
Jun-22 - 0 1,095 1,352 1,625 3,424  
Jun-21 - 0 1,053 1,316 1,564 3,303  
Jun-20 - 0 1,035 1,255 1,491 3,195  
Jun-19 - 0 989 1,152 1,400 3,104  
Jun-18 - 0 965 1,051 1,276 3,000  
Jun-17 - 0 941 977 1,188 2,915  
Jun-16 - 0 868 892 1,103 2,745  
Jun-15 - 0 802 813 1,030 2,654  
Jun-14 - 0 760 704 909 2,479  
Jun-13 - 0 658 589 830 2,279  
Jun-12 - 0 586 419 708 2,109  
Jun-11 - 0 496 377 599 1,951  
Jun-10 - 0 418 341 530 1,836  
Jun-09 - 0 355 305 463 1,702  
Jun-08 - 0 319 263 398 1,544  
Jun-07 - 0 271 233 356 1,283  
Jun-06 - 0 241 221 307 1,077  
Jun-05 - 0 181 173 265 913  
Jun-04 - 0 139 149 235 768  
Jun-03 - 0 132 137 187 574  
Jun-02 - 0 114 106 169 465  
Jun-01 - 0 114 100 120 374  
May-31 - 0 96 46 96 326  
May-30 - 0 84 36 84 290  
May-29 - 0 66 24 72 271  
May-28 - 0 54 24 42 235  
May-27 - 0 36 24 30 217  
May-26 - 0 12 18 12 144  
May-25 - 0 6 18 12 102  
May-24 - 0 6 18 0 96  
May-23 - 0 6 18 0 84  
May-22 - 0 6 18 0 78  
May-21 - 0 6 24 0 72  
May-20 - 0 0 18 0 60  
May-19 - 0 0 6 0 54  
May-18 - 0 0 6 0 48  
May-17 - 0 0 6 0 18  
May-16 - 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

Early Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary for Thu. Jun 4

KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON SUMMARY #03

King Salmon Run Update:

The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2020.  The total estimated passage as of June 3rd is 272 large king salmon (> 75 cm mid-eye-to-tail-fork-length or ~ 34 inches in total length). The return is tracking well below the preseason forecast estimate of 4,800 large fish. Based on average run timing, the run will pass the quarter point after June 4 and the inseason projection of escapement ranges from approximately 1,300 large fish with average run timing to 2,000 large fish on a three day late run timing, which is well below the optimal escapement goal of 3,900-6,600 large fish.

Inseason run projections do fluctuate while we are still early in the run and should start to solidify and confidence intervals will narrow as the run approaches the average midpoint of the run on June 11th but the trend being observed with the Kenai River early-run is consistent with what is being observed in other king salmon stocks around Cook Inlet and indicates a weak run with possible late run timing. To ensure sustainability of the early-run stock and to be consistent with the regulatory management plan, restrictive management action is likely to implemented the week of June 8th.

The next update will be on Thursday, June 11.

Fishery Update:

Fishing success has been reported as fair in the lower river as it is early in the season but a few fish have been caught early in the morning. 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 average success rates for anglers this time of year.

ADF&G would like to remind anglers to adhere to all current State of Alaska health mandates while participating in the Kenai River salmon fisheries.

The preseason outlook for the 2020 early-run can be found at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/fishing/pdfs/sport/byarea/southcentral/2020KenaiEarlyRunOutlook.pdf

Water Conditions: 

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

CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 6,870 and 7.59 ft on June 3.

CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 5,430 and 8.78 ft on June 3.

CFS at Cooper Landing was 3,950 and 9.23 ft on June 3.

Water Temperature was 49 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site on May 28.

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

Final data is subject to change.