Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

September 4, 2026

Freshwater Fishing

• Kasilof River
  • Coho salmon fishing has been fair. Anglers have been having success casting spoons, spinners, and pulling plugs.
  • The Old Kasilof Landing SRS Site development is complete and open to the public.
• Kenai River
  • Coho salmon fishing is still producing limits for some anglers. Pink salmon have been numerous and problematic while targeting coho. Casting spoons and spinners, back trolling plugs, and twitching marabou jigs under a slip bobber setup are producing. Try fishing at Cunningham Park, Centennial Park, Rotary Park, Donald E. Gilman River Center, Soldotna Visitors Center, Moose Range Meadows, Swiftwater Park, Morgan’s Landing State Recreation Area or Soldotna Creek Park.
  • Kenai River (late-run sockeye) sonar counts have ceased for the year.
    • Reminder, the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon downstream of Skilak Lake returned to 3 per day, 6 in possession on August 16th.
  • Trout fishing is good on the Kenai River. 6mm-8mm beads and flesh flies are producing some nice fish on the middle and lower river. Sockeye salmon are spawning from Sportsman’s Landing downstream to Jim’s Landing and trout fishing is heating up. 6mm-8mm beads have been producing well.
• Russian River
  • Trout fishing on the Russian River has been good. Beads, small flesh flies, and nymphs are producing well.
  • Coho salmon are present in catchable numbers.
• Quartz Creek is winding down, but Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are still present in catchable numbers. Try various 6mm and 8mm beads and small flesh flies.

Personal Use Fishing

Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use fishing is closed for the season. Online reports were due August 31st, whether or not they fished. Permit holders that have not reported are now late; unless a harvest report and appeal is received before November 30th, they will not be eligible to receive a permit next season.

Saltwater Fishing

Anglers are continuing to have success shore fishing for halibut. Spiny dogfish are also abundant for anglers fishing from the local beaches.

Local Lakes

• Lake fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, and land locked salmon is good to excellent this time of year. Try fishing with dry or wet flies such as a small Sculpzilla, bead head nymph, or Griffith Gnat pattern; small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2; or small bait under a bobber.
• Not familiar with all the stocked lakes in the area? Check out the ADF&G Kenai Stocked Lakes booklet with locations, access, and other valuable information on Kenai area lakes. For specific lake stocking information including species stocked and numbers of fish stocked, directions, bathymetric maps, and amenities, please visit the ADF&G Alaska Lakes Database.
• Notice: From September 15-November 30, Hidden Lake is closed to all sport fishing.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 2-SS-1-49-26 reduces the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, in the Kenai River to two fish. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, September 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2026
• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-31-26 increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession; however, no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon, in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Soldotna Office at 907-262-9368