Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai
June 5, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for the Kenai River and the Northern Kenai Peninsula Area at its Anchorage February 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Kenai Peninsula sport fisheries regulations.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- Emergency Order 2-NP-1-02-20 prohibits the retention of any species of fish in East Mackey, West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes for the 2020 season.
- Emergency Order 2-DV-1-01-20 prohibits the retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden in Stormy Lake for the 2020 season.
Freshwater Fishing
- The early-run Kenai River king salmon sport fishery is currently under general regulations. Bait is prohibited, and only one single-hook artificial lure may be used. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is one king salmon. Only king salmon less than 34 inches in length may be retained. King salmon 34 inches or greater in length may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Please see pages 50-65 of the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for additional regulations.
- King salmon fishing on the Kenai River is slow. Water conditions remain clear.
- The flowing waters of the Kenai River mainstem upstream of the Lower Killey River marker and all of the tributary streams are closed from May 1 through June 10 to protect spawning rainbow trout. These closures will end Thursday, June 11. Fishing for rainbow trout in these waters is expected to be very good.
- The Upper Kenai and Russian rivers open to fishing for sockeye salmon on Thursday, June 11.
- Bing’s Landing, The Pillars, Izaak Walton, Cooper Landing, Centennial Park, and Swiftwater boat launches are open; however, some amenities may not be in service at this time.
- Kasilof king salmon fishing is good and should continue to improve over the next few weeks. Try fishing for king salmon from shore at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Site. See page 70-71 of the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
- Fishing for sea run Dolly Varden at the mouth of Resurrection Creek in Hope should be picking up this time of year. Try using pink fry pattern flies.
Local Lakes
- There are plenty of other fishing opportunities in Southcentral Alaska. This is the perfect time to visit locally stocked lakes as the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery has started their spring stocking schedule.
- Arc and Tirmore lakes were stocked with Arctic grayling catchables on May 27 and are approximately 7 inches in length.
- Lake fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, and land locked salmon should be improving with warming water temperatures. Try fishing with dry or wet flies such as an egg sucking leech, bead head nymph, or mosquito pattern; small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2; or small bait under a bobber.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Soldotna Area Office at (907) 262-9368.
