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 Mon. Jun 19
KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON SUMMARY #06 - 6/22/2023
King Salmon Run Update:
The Kenai River King salmon sonar began counting on May 16, 2023. The cumulative estimated passage as of June 21 is 1,316 large king salmon (greater than 34” in length). The historic midpoint of the run was on June 12. Current passage rates are significantly below historical averages and indicate a weak run that is not likely to achieve the optimal escapement goal of 3,900–6,600 large fish. The inseason projection of escapement ranges from approximately 1,649 large fish with average run timing to 1,821 large fish on three days late run timing.
In response to a preseason forecast and inseason projections of escapement, From May 1 through June 30, fishing for king salmon of any size, including catch-and-release, is closed in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. King salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, on March 2, 2023, the Division of Sport Fish issued Emergency Order 2-KS-1-11-23 closing the Kenai River to Fishing for king salmon and prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks from its mouth upstream to the ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from July 1 through July 31, 2023.
Index Projects Update:
The ADF&G creel survey is suspended due to fishery closure. The ADF&G netting program began operations on May 16. The netting program indicates significantly below average presence of large and all sized king salmon when compared to historical catch per unit effort indexes.
The preseason outlook for the 2023 early-run can be found at:
This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.
Final data is subject to change.