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:
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 |
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| 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.
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 26
KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON SUMMARY #02
King Salmon Run Update:
The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2022. The cumulative estimated passage as of May 27 is 12 large king salmon (greater than 34” in length) and 1,692 fish (20" – 34” in length). Passage is below average for this date. The historic quarter point of the run is June 5th, which is generally the earliest the department has sufficient data to begin interpreting run strength. The optimal escapement goal for the early-run is 3,900–6,600 large fish. In response to a preseason forecast of ~ 4,300 large king salmon, the sport fishery is under general regulation which allows for the use of only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure, or fly. Angler’s limits are 1 per a day, 1 in possession of king salmon less than 34 inches, and greater than 20 inches in length. King salmon 34 inches and greater in length may not be retained and must be released immediately. King salmon less than 28 inches in length are not included in the Cook Inlet annual limit during the early-run.
The next update will be on Thursday, June 2 or sooner if management action is warranted this coming week.
Fishery Update:
The ADF&G creel survey and netting programs began operations on May 16. The netting program at this point does not have enough data to provide any indications of the current run characteristics. The creel survey indicates low effort by anglers and slow fishing.
The preseason outlook for the 2022 early-run can be found at:
Water Conditions:
Water levels in the Kenai River are average and water temperature is above average.
CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 4,330 and 6.74 ft.
CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 2,990 and 7.58 ft.
CFS at Cooper Landing was 3,070 and 8.65 ft.
Water Temperature was 49.7 degrees Fahrenheit at the RM 14 sonar site.
This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.
Final data is subject to change.