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
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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:
Upper Cook Inlet 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 2024 |
Count 2024 |
Cumulative 2024 |
Cumulative 2023 |
Cumulative 2022 |
Cumulative 2021 |
Cumulative 2020 |
Notes for 2024 |
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| Jun-30 | - | 0 | 1,975 | 2,051 | 4,131 | 2,444 | |
| Jun-29 | - | 0 | 1,914 | 2,004 | 4,033 | 2,390 | |
| Jun-28 | - | 0 | 1,884 | 1,980 | 3,930 | 2,317 | |
| Jun-27 | - | 0 | 1,793 | 1,934 | 3,861 | 2,250 | |
| Jun-26 | - | 0 | 1,660 | 1,906 | 3,807 | 2,201 | |
| Jun-25 | - | 0 | 1,605 | 1,864 | 3,728 | 2,158 | |
| Jun-24 | - | 0 | 1,541 | 1,768 | 3,649 | 2,116 | |
| Jun-23 | - | 0 | 1,444 | 1,719 | 3,551 | 2,086 | |
| Jun-22 | - | 0 | 1,352 | 1,625 | 3,424 | 1,995 | |
| Jun-21 | - | 0 | 1,316 | 1,564 | 3,303 | 1,922 | |
| Jun-20 | - | 0 | 1,255 | 1,491 | 3,195 | 1,837 | |
| Jun-19 | - | 0 | 1,152 | 1,400 | 3,104 | 1,734 | |
| Jun-18 | - | 0 | 1,051 | 1,276 | 3,000 | 1,667 | |
| Jun-17 | - | 0 | 977 | 1,188 | 2,915 | 1,419 | |
| Jun-16 | - | 0 | 892 | 1,103 | 2,745 | 1,274 | |
| Jun-15 | - | 0 | 813 | 1,030 | 2,654 | 1,165 | |
| Jun-14 | - | 0 | 704 | 909 | 2,479 | 1,141 | |
| Jun-13 | - | 0 | 589 | 830 | 2,279 | 1,049 | |
| Jun-12 | - | 0 | 419 | 708 | 2,109 | 989 | |
| Jun-11 | - | 0 | 377 | 599 | 1,951 | 916 | |
| Jun-10 | - | 0 | 341 | 530 | 1,836 | 892 | |
| Jun-09 | - | 0 | 305 | 463 | 1,702 | 777 | |
| Jun-08 | - | 0 | 263 | 398 | 1,544 | 668 | |
| Jun-07 | - | 0 | 233 | 356 | 1,283 | 583 | |
| Jun-06 | - | 0 | 221 | 307 | 1,077 | 528 | |
| Jun-05 | - | 0 | 173 | 265 | 913 | 449 | |
| Jun-04 | - | 0 | 149 | 235 | 768 | 358 | |
| Jun-03 | - | 0 | 137 | 187 | 574 | 272 | |
| Jun-02 | - | 0 | 106 | 169 | 465 | 236 | |
| Jun-01 | - | 0 | 100 | 120 | 374 | 194 | |
| May-31 | - | 0 | 46 | 96 | 326 | 176 | |
| May-30 | - | 0 | 36 | 84 | 290 | 109 | |
| May-29 | - | 0 | 24 | 72 | 271 | 85 | |
| May-28 | - | 0 | 24 | 42 | 235 | 60 | |
| May-27 | - | 0 | 24 | 30 | 217 | 48 | |
| May-26 | - | 0 | 18 | 12 | 144 | 48 | |
| May-25 | - | 0 | 18 | 12 | 102 | 48 | |
| May-24 | - | 0 | 18 | 0 | 96 | 30 | |
| May-23 | - | 0 | 18 | 0 | 84 | 12 | |
| May-22 | - | 0 | 18 | 0 | 78 | 0 | |
| May-21 | - | 0 | 24 | 0 | 72 | 0 | |
| May-20 | - | 0 | 18 | 0 | 60 | 0 | |
| May-19 | - | 0 | 6 | 0 | 54 | 0 | |
| May-18 | - | 0 | 6 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
| May-17 | - | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| May-16 | - | 0 | 6 | 0 | 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 Fri. Jun 18
KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON SUMMARY #05
King Salmon Run Update: 6/18/2021
The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2021. The total estimated passage through June 17th is 2,915 large king salmon. The run started slow but passage increased through the historic midpoint of the run on June 11th. The inseason projection of escapement with restrictions to the fishery ranges from approximately 4,099 large fish with average run timing to 4,699 large fish on three day late run timing, which is within the optimal escapement goal range of 3,900-6,600 large fish. The estimated number of large king salmon caught to date is approximately 236 fish.
The fishery is currently under catch and release regulations per Emergency order issued on June 15. King salmon of any length may not be retained and must be released immediately from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. Late-run management will begin July 1.
The next update will be on Thursday, June 24th or sooner if management action is warranted this coming week.
Fishery Update:
Fishing success has been reported as slow to fair in the Lower Kenai River. The ADF&G creel survey and netting programs began operations on May 16. Data collected so far from these projects indicates below average historical CPUE’s for netting of all sizes of Chinook salmon. The creel survey indicates below historical average success rates for this time of year.
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 average.
Current CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 11,100 and water level is at 8.74 ft.
Current CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 9,160 and water level is at 10.02 ft.
Current CFS at Cooper Landing was 7,150 and water level is at 10.97 ft.
Current water temperature is 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site.
This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.
Final data is subject to change.