Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries
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Location: Kenai River (Chinook) |
The selected years are color-coded in the graphs below:
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Daily Counts
* graphs are images and may be cached by browser |
Cumulative
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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)
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Contact:
Area Management Biologist, | |
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.
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. May 13
2021 KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON PRESEASON SUMMARY
King Salmon Run Update:
The preseason forecast for the 2021 early-run of king salmon is ~ 4,400 large fish (> 75 cm mid-eye-to-tail-fork-length or ~ 34 inches in total length). The optimal escapement goal for the early-run is 3,900 – 6,600 large fish. As directed by the Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-run King Salmon Management Plan the fishery will begin under general regulation as follows.
Bag and Possession Limits:
- Less than 34 inches but 20 inches or greater in length, limit is 1 per a day, 1 in possession.
- less than 20 inches, limit is 10 per day, 10 in possession.
- 34 inches and greater may not be retained and must be released immediately.
Method and Means:
- Only one unbaited single hook, artificial lure, or fly.
Please Review pages 50-55 in the Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for more details.
The Kenai River King Salmon Sonar is scheduled to begin counting on May 15, 2021. The historic quarter point of the run on June 5th, is generally the earliest the department has sufficient data to interpret run strength for inseason management decisions.
The next update will be on Thursday, May 20.
Fishery Update:
The early-run king salmon fishery is expected to begin in mid-May. The Kenai River water levels are still low but steadily rising.
The preseason outlook for the 2021 early-run can be found at:
Water Conditions:
Water levels in the Kenai River are above average and water temperature is below average for this time of year.
CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 4,110 and 6.66 ft on May 13.
CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 2,440 and 7.20 ft on May 13.
CFS at Cooper Landing was 2,190 and 7.99 ft on May 13
This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.
Final data is subject to change.