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fisheries.
STRENGTH
OF EARLY-RUN KENAI RIVER KING SALMON ALLOWS BAIT DOWNSTREAM OF THE MOOSE
RIVER STARTING JUNE 10
Thanks
to a good in river return of early-run king salmon, combined with below-average
angler effort and harvests, sport fish anglers may now use bait in the
Kenai River from its mouth upstream to a point 100 yards downstream
of the confluence of the confluence of the Moose River and Kenai River,
beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday June 10.
All
other Kenai River special provisions, methods and means and bag and
possession limits remain in affect. Anglers may only use one single-pointed
hook. Anglers may keep only those king salmon that are less than
44 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. All other king
salmon must be released immediately.
The
“Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Conservation
Management Plan" directs the Department to achieve a spawning escapement
goal of 5,300-9,000 king salmon in the Kenai River. To date, the
total in-river run is estimated to be 5,450 king salmon. Total
sport harvest is estimated to be approximately 350 king salmon below
Soldotna Bridge. Harvest rates have been fair, and angler effort
has been very low compared to past years. The Department is currently
projecting a total in-river run of early king salmon of approximately
13,000-16,000 fish and a spawning escapement in excess of the escapement
goal.
Under
these circumstances, the management plan directs the Department to establish,
by Emergency Order, a fishing period during which bait may be used in
the mainstem of the Kenai River. The Emergency Order issued on June
9, will allow the use of bait in the Kenai River from a point 100 yards
downstream of the confluence of the Kenai River and the Moose River
downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River.
SPORT
FISHING Emergency Order ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
Under Authority of AS 16.05.060
Emergency Order No. 2-KS-1-10-06
Issued at Soldotna: Friday, June 9, 2006
Effective Date: 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2006
Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2006, unless superseded
by subsequent emergency order.
EXPLANATION:
This emergency order allows the use of bait in the following waters
of the Kenai River drainage open to fishing for king salmon, beginning
12:01 a.m., Saturday June 10, 2006 through 11:59 p.m., Friday, June
30, 2006. The waters in which bait may be used extends from the mouth
of the Kenai River upstream to a point one hundred yards downstream
of the confluence of Moose River and the Kenai River. The slot limit
prohibiting the retention of king salmon between 44 and 55 inches in
length remains in effect.
REGULATION:
The provisions of 5 AAC 56.023 SEASONS; BAG, POSSESSION, AND SIZE LIMITS;
AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE KENAI RIVER DRAINAGE. (c)(1)(A) are superceded
by this emergency order. Under this emergency order, the following provisions
are effective beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 10 through 11:59
p.m., Friday, June 30, 2006:
5
AAC 56.023 SEASONS; BAG, POSSESSION, AND SIZE LIMITS; AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS
FOR THE KENAI RIVER DRAINAGE. (c)(1)(A) from January 1 – June
30, in the Kenai River, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure
may be used except that, from June 10 – June 30, in the Kenai
River from its mouth upstream to a point 100 yards below the confluence
of the Moose River and Kenai River, only one single hook may be used.
McKie
Campbell, Commissioner By delegation to: George E. Pappas, Area Management
Biologist
Mark's
Fishing Report, May 28, 2006:
Both
the Kenai and the Kasilof Rivers are off to a relatively slow start
for the 06 fishing season. Unseasonably cold temperatures this spring
have left both rivers much lower than normal although a recent ridge
of high pressure and seventy degree days have reversed this trend and
both streams are now coming up accordingly. The Kenai is currently seeing
very poor conditions due to excessive runoff from tributaries such as
the Killey and Funny rivers making the main-stem quite dirty and almost
brown in color. Anglers should expect these conditions to prevail through
at least early June as the river will take several days to recover from
this sudden and excessive snowmelt precipitated by unseasonable warm
temperatures. Daytime temperatures are expected to drop down to more
normal levels (55-65 degrees) by late in the week and this will help
improve the water clarity considerable. Understandably, fishing success
on the Kenai has been very low given the relatively low numbers of fish
entering the river and the poor river conditions.
The
Kasilof has also been quite slow in terms of fishing success although
river conditions are more favorable than on the Kenai River. The Kasilof
is lower and the water is considerably colder than normal and this may
explain the slow start to the early run of king salmon. Persistent anglers
are seeing sporadic action for both wild and hatchery origin Kasilof
kings with the majority of the fish being caught reportedly being wild
fish. Anglers are reminded that only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
can wild Kasilof King salmon be retained and on all other days of the
week only adipose clipped/hatchery origin kings may be kept. Both the
Kenai and the Kasilof are expected to improve dramatically in the next
week to ten days as river temperatures and water levels continue to
climb. Fishing for king salmon in the salt water off Anchor Point and
Ninilchik in Cook Inlet has been very good and hopefully this indicates
good numbers of salmon are on their way to the rivers. Stay tuned for
the next fishing report to be posted sometime late next week.
Good
Fishing!
Mark
Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Southcentral Region
Weekly Fishing Report
North
Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week
of June 11 to June 17
Issued June 13, 2006
Emergency Orders and
regulation reminders
- At
this time, three Emergency Orders are in effect for this area. The
first was released to remind anglers that they may not fillet or otherwise
disfigure Kenai River king salmon in such a manner that would prevent
determination of the length of the fish. Boat anglers cannot fillet
a king salmon until the fish is brought to shore and offloaded from
the vessel. Shore anglers cannot fillet a Kenai River king salmon
before removing it from the fishing site. The Emergency Order still
allows gilling and/or gutting the king salmon.
-
The second Emergency Order was released to inform Kasilof River anglers
that as of May 18, they may keep either a naturally-produced king
salmon OR a hatchery king salmon on an additional day, Thursday, in
addition to Tuesdays and Saturdays. A naturally-produced king salmon
is a fish that still has its adipose fin. Hatchery king salmon, which
are fish that are missing their adipose fin, can be kept seven days
per week.
-
The third Emergency Order was released to inform Kenai River anglers
that beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 10, bait will be allowed
in the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to a point about 100 yards
below the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers. Anglers are reminded
that the slot limit and that the single hook restrictions remain in
effect.
-
All flowing waters in the Kenai River watershed are now OPEN to fishing
for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden trout.
- The
Russian River opened to fishing on June 11. The Russian River sanctuary
remains closed until either July 15 or it may be opened by emergency
order when the department can project that the lower escapement goal
of 14,000 sockeye salmon through the Russian River weir will be exceeded.
Anglers fishing in the Russian River area have reported good success
rates with many anglers harvesting their daily limits. The Russian
River Sanctuary Area (see page 31 of the 2006 regulation booklet)
opens 12:01 a.m., July 15, unless an Emergency Order is issued to
open it earlier.
- There
may be other areas closed to all fishing. Check your regulation booklet.
Salmon - Kenai &
Kasilof rivers
- Anglers
targeting king salmon in the Kasilof River reported that success significantly
increased on June 9. Angler success has remained fair to good for
most anglers and excellent for a few anglers through Tuesday, June
13. ADF&G creel survey data indicate that angler success in the
Kasilof River significantly increased beginning on Thursday, and that
this years' run is perhaps as much as one week behind recent averages.
- Historically,
the numbers of king salmon entering the Kasilof River should peak
this week and begin to decline next week. Water temperatures and height
in the Kasilof River have reached normal levels.
- The
Kenai River king salmon sonar station began operation for the season
on May 15. Through midnight, June 12, an estimated total of 8,197
king salmon have passed the station. The last 10 years' average through
midnight, June 12, is about 7,871 king salmon past the sonar station.
- Kenai
River water levels are continuing to rise, but the river in this reach
is still slightly below historic average for this time of year. Water
clarity in the Kenai River was considered only fair on June 13, but
appears to be improving by the day.
- Angler
reports and the ADF&G creel survey indicate that many Kenai River
king salmon are caught daily, and fishing is considered good, with
many boats harvesting their daily bag limits. Angler success should
remain steady or increase as the season advances into June.
- Due
to an Emergency Order, bait is now allowed in the Kenai River from
100 yards below the Moose River downstream to the mouth of the Kenai
River.
Resident Fish - Kenai
River
- All
flowing waters in the Kenai River watershed re-opened to fishing for
rainbow trout on Sunday, June 11.
- Fishing
for Dolly Varden is also now open in the Kenai River watershed.
- Many
streams have special tackle restrictions, so please check the regulation
booklet before fishing.
Resident Fish - Kasilof
River
-
Rainbow/steelhead fishing is reported as very slow. Anglers putting
in enough time to work the holes and drifts have had the best success.
-
All rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway
bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the
water.
Lake Fishing
-
All area lakes are ice-free at this time and are fishable. See below
for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area lakes.
-
Johnson Lake in the Kasilof area is ice-free, and is a great place
to try for stocked rainbow trout. On May 1, 3,000 catchable sized
rainbow trout were stocked into Johnson Lake.
-
Anglers have reported success catching lake trout in Hidden Lake.
Anglers have been successful trolling down riggers at 30 to 80 feet
deep.
Northern Pike
-
Try Stormy Lake, Arc Lake or Union Lake.
- Many
other area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited.
Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.
-
Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached
by a line), bait, spin, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and
fish-colored lures and flies.
-
There is no closed season for pike, and the bag limit is unlimited.
Wanton waste laws apply, so be sure to use, or donate to charity,
all the pike you harvest.
Personal Use
-
Hooligan (smelt) fishing in the Kenai River was reported as fair,
but has leveled out recently, and is now about over for the season.
Dipnetting for hooligan closes for the rest of the year on midnight,
Thursday, June 15. It appears that this years' hooligan return was
likely below average.
-
The Kasilof River personal use set gillnet fishery will open at 6:00
a.m., Thursday, June 15. Complete regulations are on pages 16 through
18 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet. A free permit is
required, in addition to an Alaska resident fishing license. Permits
are available from many grocery stores, tackle shops, ADF&G offices,
and even some gasoline stations.
- You
must hold an Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G
senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran's license) in order to
participate in any personal use fishery, including dipnetting for
hooligan and set netting at the Kasilof.
Helpful
Internet Links
Area webpage: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/areas/kenai/kenhome.cfm
Fishing regulations: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/reghome.cfm
Enforcement of fishing regulations: www.dps.state.ak.us/fwp/index.asp
Fish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/salmonid.pdf
Rockfish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/rockfishID.pdf
Weir counts and sonar estimates: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/Escapement/HTML/query.cfm
River levels: http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/
Lake stocking: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/Stocking_search/HTML/stock_search.cfm
Maps to stocked lakes: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/LAKEMAPS/HTML/LAKEMAP1.stm
Informational brochures: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/pubs.cfm
Safety in bear country: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/bears.cfm
OEO/ADA statement: www.adfg.state.ak.us/oeostate.php
Copyright and reproduction information: www.adfg.state.ak.us/copyright.php
Mark's
Fishing Report, June 12, 2005:
Jeanne
Beezhold proudly displays and 35lb. Kenai King she caught on Tuesday
June 7.
As of Sunday 6/12, many, if not all of South-Central June fisheries
are in full swing. Beginning on the Kenai River, Early Run King Salmon
numbers have seen a significant spike in the past week with between
400 and 700 ER king salmon passing the lower river sonar counter daily.
The last available count as of this fishing report was Saturday June
11 when 555 kings were recorded bringing the cumulative total of ER
Kenai King Salmon to 5,638 fish. It seems this run is on tract to meet
or exceed escapement goals. Fishing on the Kenai River has been hit
and miss as increasing water levels and have affected angler success.
While many boats were seeing between 4-6 fish per day over a week ago,
more recent catch rates have dropped to 1-3 fish per boat. There have
been a number of very large fish moving through the Kenai system and
several trophy class fish weighing well over 70lbs. have been recorded.
On Wed. June 8, my boat hooked a Kenai Monster just below Eagle Rock
on the lower Kenai River ad fought the fish for nearly 45 minutes without
even seeing it. After well over an hour, we finally were able to bring
the giant to the net and after carefully taping it at nearly 53 inches
long, we successfully released the fish to continue its epic journey.
We estimated the fish to weigh between 70 and 75 lbs. The non-retention
slot of 44-55 inches has been very effective in preserving these genetically
unique trophy class Kenai Kings and letting this fish go was rewarding
beyond what words can describe. Currently, the Kenai River continues
to rise as snow melt and rain in the Kenai mountains puts more and more
water into the system. Water clarity is less than ideal at the time
of this report although conditions should improve by early next week
with little rain in the forecast.
Good
numbers of Russian River Red salmon are being reported throughout the
Kenai River as this fishery opens today near Cooper Landing. Anglers
should expect plenty of fish and crowds as this tiny mountain tributary
of the Kenai sees the first substantial pushes of sockeye for the season.
We will have more information regarding fishing success and run numbers
once this fishery has been under way for a few days. Look for a more
detailed report very soon.
Troy
Johnson with a nice Kasilof King also taken on June 11.
Kali
Johnson with one of many Kasilof Kings she landed on Saturday June 11.
On the Kasilof River, the
ER of King Salmon has seen a new push of fish after a very high tide
cycle over the past week slowed the numbers of fish entering the river.
The last 2-3 days has seen a significant spike for both naturally produced
and hatchery origin Crooked Creek Kings and fishing has definitely followed
suit. Many anglers are retaining their one fish limit and guided trips
are yielding double digit hook-ups in recent days. The ration of hatchery
fish to wild fish has improved to as high as 3 to 1 and this run should
continue to produce very good fishing over the next week to ten days.
Anglers are reminded that wild kings may only be retained on Tuesdays
and Saturdays with retention of hatchery fish only during the remaining
days of the week. Given the improved ratio of hatchery versus wild fish
currently in the system, the Kasilof offers a very good chance for retaining
the daily one fish limit of king salmon. Water conditions are very good
although the river is getting higher by the day.
Trout fishing opened on the
Kenai river-wide today and action was expected to be very good. More
detailed information regarding Kenai Trout fishing will be included
in the next fishing report.
King salmon fishing on lower
Kenai Peninsula Rivers will come to a close after this weekend, although
good numbers of kings are still present and entering the Anchor, Ninilchik
and Deep Creek. All of these smaller snow-fed streams have seen very
solid king runs this season and angler success during weekend only,
open days has been very high.
West Side Cook Inlet fly-out
fisheries have also gotten off to a very good beginning with lots of
sockeye and bears massing around the outlet of Wolverine Creek where
it enters Big River Lake. Massive schools of sockeye salmon, fresh from
Cook Inlet, can be seen circling the clear waters of Redoubt Bay and
fishing pressure has been moderate. We have taken several trips to this
popular West Side destination and have gotten limits of reds and have
seen multiple brown and black bears on every trip. There has already
been a significant push of sockeye up Wolverine Creek over this weekend
although newly arriving fish continue to mass around the mouth of Wolverine
Creek and large schools of newly arriving sockeye can been seen breaking
the surface throughout Big River Lake. This run will continue to build
through mid-July.
King salmon
fishing on the Chuitna has not yet begun due to excessive snow melt
and high and murky water conditions. This river is expected to come
into fishing shape may mid week and angler success should be very high.
With several trips planned for us in the near future, a detailed report
will be available soon. The neighboring Theodore River has been high
as well but it has been fishable and reports indicate very good catch
and release king salmon fishing on this tiny, yet very exciting river.
We also plan to visit the Theodore over the next week and will continue
to update this report as we explore both of these very productive remote
fisheries.
If you have
any questions regarding any of the above Kenai Peninsula and West Side
fisheries please fell free to email me anytime at mgfish@mgfalaska.com.
Good luck
on the water and great fishing!
Mark's
Fishing Report, May 31, 2005:
Memorial
Day weekend signifies the official start to many of the most popular
Kenai Peninsula fisheries and in a number of primary locations, fishing
was very consistent. Beginning on the Kenai, sonar counts remain quite
low despite relatively steady fishing success. As of May 31, only 1031
Early-Run Kenai king salmon had passed the ADF&G sonar site on the
lower Kenai River. Despite the low counts, fishing has been fair with
most boats averaging 1-2 kings in an 8 hour charter. Typically this
run peaks in the first two weeks of June, so the next week to ten days
should see significant numbers of fish entering the river and catch
rates should follow suit. River conditions are ideal with excellent
color and moderate water levels. Rain in the Kenai Mountains is bringing
the river up daily.
Will
Sigsbee releases a 2005 naturally-produced early-run Kasilof King Salmon.
On the neighboring Kasilof,
fishing has continued to build daily since Mid May. In the recent 3-4
days, the fishery has seen a significant burst of fresh kings and multiple
hook-ups per boat are now the norm. This run offers mix of both hatchery
and naturally produced early-run king salmon and anglers are reminded
that only hatchery king salmon (marked by a clipped adipose fin) are
allowed to be retaining with the exception of Tuesdays and Saturdays
when both wild (natural) and hatchery king salmon may be kept. New rules
which allow anglers to keep fishing once they retain a king salmon on
the Kasilof have been very well received and have made this fishery
a very attractive option for Kenai Peninsula anglers. This run should
peak in the next week to ten days. Water levels are moderate and rising.
The
Cook Inlet Marine fishery off Ninilchik/Deep Creek has been extremely
productive for halibut and to a lesser degree, salt water king salmon.
The halibut fishing has been very good even in the less than optimal
tides. Near shore trolling for king salmon has been off and on as sporadic
pushes of both feeder and river bound kings make their way through the
area. In the last two days, high concentrations of mature kings have
provided red hot action after a week of very hit and miss fishing. This
recent push of fish may very well be the bulk of early run Kenai kings
making their way north. This early run marine king salmon fishery normally
peaks between the last week of May and the first week of June.
Patty
Powers and nice hatchery king salmon from the Kasilof River
Lower Kenai Peninsula streams
such as Deep Creek, the Ninilchik River and the Anchor River are all
seeing fair to strong return of king salmon and fishing pressure over
the Memorial Day weekend was heavy. Perhaps the most productive of these
rivers was the Anchor where low water and lots of fish made for good
fishing around the high tide. Anglers are reminded these rivers are
weekend only fisheries and fishing for salmon is limited to the lower,
tidally influenced sections of these streams. Downstream steelhead (kelts)
are also present in the Ninilchik, Deep Creek and the Anchor and are
making their way back to Cook Inlet after being in the rivers since
the fall/winter. Kenai Peninsula steelhead are not allowed to be removed
from the water and should be handled with extreme caution to ensure
their safe release.
Good luck on the water and
great fishing!
Here are a few more photos
of recent king salmon caught fishing on the Kasilof River. Click
on any image for a larger view in a new window.
Coho,
halibut, more on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula
Mark's
Fishing Report, November 23, 2004:
As
of 11/23/04, the Kenai Peninsula is experiencing a temperate beginning
to winter. We have seen several reasonable snow storms with some accumulation
although persistent warm temperatures and rain have melted most of it.
Daytime temperatures have been in the mid to high thirties. On the southern
Kenai Peninsula, both the Anchor and Deep Creek are both flowing at
moderate to high levels with good clarity.
There is a great
deal of shore ice and debris from cold weather a few weeks prior and
flooding caused by ice dams. Both steelhead and dolly varden remain
active and fishing is rated as fair on both the middle and lower sections
of the Anchor River and Deep Creek. The Ninilchik River remains largely
frozen and unfishable.
The Kenai is low
but still navigable above Bings Landing. Trout fishing both below and
above Skilak Lake is still a viable option, weather depending. Trout
are not highly concentrated but larger fish are found just below spawning
silver salmon. Good numbers of both dark and bright silver salmon are
present although their season closed November 1.
Mark's Fishing Report, October 20, 2004:
As of October
20, Kenai Peninsula fisheries continue to provide excellent angling
opportunities for those willing to put in their time on the water. The
Kenai River is still seeing a fair number of silver salmon after one
of the strongest returns of coho since ADF&G began estimating escapement.
Silver salmon season on the Kenai normally closes the last day of September
but was extended this year through the end of October due to the large
return. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing on the Kenai, both above
and below Skilak Lake, remains very good with a number of larger fish
being caught. Fish are being taken on both flesh patterns and painted
beads.

Dan
Mendenhall with a beautiful Kenai Rainbow caught in late September.
Steelhead
trout fishing on the lower Kenai Peninsula Rivers has been very steady
with large number of fish present in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and
the Ninilchik River. These fisheries have been most productive just
after rain storms although currently all rivers are low and clear and
fishing has slowed. Look for more fish to enter these rivers just after
the next big rain or before the river freezes for winter.

Jim
Rinker readies a nice fall steelhead for release.
Good
luck on the water and great fishing!
Mark
Glassmaker
Book
Review:
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