Alaska Fishing News and Reports
Alaska Fisheries News
Welcome to our news center. Here you will find:
- Alaska
fishing reports during the fishing season
- Alaska
fishing forecasts
- Articles
of interest related to salmon, trout and steelhead fisheries around
the world
- News
articles related to Alaska fisheries resources in general.
- News
articles related specifically to the Kenai Peninsula and Cook Inlet
fisheries.
Alaska
Fishing Reports
Mark's Fishing Report,
June 28, 2006:
Kenai
River:
King
Salmon fishing on the Kenai River has been slower than last week but
still steady. Bright late run fish have begun to enter the lower river
and are steadily making their way upstream. Fishing is typical for this
time of year with sporadic action and some lengthy stretches between
bites. Most of the early run fish appear to have moved well upriver
into their spawning areas and the majority of the fish we are catching
are very chrome and moving fast. Boats are averaging 2-5 fish per trip.
Kasilof
River:
The
Kasilof is still producing some fish but fishing has slowed as early
run is past its seasonal peak.
Remote
Fisheries:
Wolverine
Creek:
The
run is very strong at this point and both sockeye and bears are present
in good numbers. The first pushes of sockeye have started to make their
run up the creek and good numbers of fish are also present in the lake.
Limits catches are common and anglers are seeing 2-5 brown bears per
trip.
Chuitna:
The
river has finally settled in to decent water conditions and is not getting
somewhat low and clear. Fishing has been very good for kings up to 45lbs.
The season closes July 1 so only a few days remain for this trip. With
rain in the forecast to raise the water depth, the last days of the
season should be very good.
Karluk
Lagoon, Kodiak Island:
Good
numbers of king salmon continue to enter the lagoon headed for the Karluk
although the run does seem t be on the backside of its peak. Fish are
definitely still available in good number and are very bight. The lagoon
is also being frequented by several resident brown bear making for some
excellent bear viewing opportunities.
Nushagak:
The
Nush run has been slightly late this season but it does appear that
good numbers of newly arriving bright kings are being caught on the
lower river. These fish should make their way upstream fairly fast and
the first week of July should hold excellent fishing.
Mark's Fishing Report,
June 18, 2006:
Kenai/Kasilof
King
Salmon fishing on both the Kenai and the Kasilof Rivers has improved
considerably in the last week to ten days. On the Kasilof, steady numbers
of early run king salmon have been entering the river on every tide
and anglers are finding good to excellent success fishing both salmon
eggs and plugs. The majority of the fish thus far have been naturally
produced Crooked Creek fish with less than normal hatchery fish present
so far. With many king salmon runs across the state being somewhat late
in their arrival, hopes are the hatchery return has not yet arrived
and good numbers of clipped fin, hatchery origin king salmon will arrive
soon. Meanwhile, ample numbers of naturally produced kings, along with
some hatchery kings are being caught. Anglers are reminded that only
on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays both hatchery and naturally produced
king salmon allowed to be retained in the Kasilof River. All other days
of the week only hatchery origin fish are allowed to be retained. River
conditions are favorable and the water level is near normal for this
time period.
On
the Kenai, fishing for early run king salmon has been fair to good.
The use of bait was allowed beginning Saturday June 10 and although
good numbers of fish were present, the river became high and murky from
recent rains. The river cleared considerably by Tuesday June 13 and
fishing this week has been excellent. Heavy rains did swell the river
throughout the week but water clarity remained decent and fishing also
remained very productive. The coming week of June 20-24 is shaping up
to be very promising as fish counts remain high and river conditions
stand to improve with more stable weather conditions. Trout fishing
below Skilak Lake opened on June 11 and fishing has been very good with
lots of good sized rainbow trout being landed daily. Larger fish are
close to thirty inches with high numbers of fish in the 22-26 inch range.
 |
The
“E-Dog” with a beautiful ocean bright Kodiak Island
King salmon taken from the Karluk Lagoon June 12, 2006 |
Remote
fisheries
Red
salmon and bear viewing at Wolverine Creek / Big River Lake has been
improving daily with good numbers of sockeye now present in Redoubt
Bay. A fair number of bears are also present making this a very exiting
and enjoyable day trip. King Salmon fishing on the Chuit River has been
off to a somewhat slow start due to high, murky water and a late return
of fish. Kodiak Island and Karluk Lagoon has been fair to good with
most taking this trip retaining their two fish limit. This is an excellent
alternative for remote king fishing until the Chuit water levels recede.
Once the conditions improve, the Chuit should be very good fishing.
The Nushagak is also beginning to see good numbers of fish and recent
reports make this another excellent option for remote fly out fishing
through early July.
Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Southcentral Region
Weekly Fishing Report
North
Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week
of September 17 - September 23
Issued September 22, 2006
Final weekly report for the 2006 fall season
Emergency
Orders and regulation reminders
- In
the entire upper Kenai River, you may use either a single-hook unbaited
fly, or a single-hook unbaited lure. The gap between the point and
the shank of the hook can be no larger than 3/8-inch, and a single
hook has only 1 point. Beads may now be used, but they must be free-sliding
on the line, or, if pegged, fixed within 2 inches of the hook.
-
On the Lower Kenai River, anglers can use bait and treble hooks up
to the Upper Killey River through Sept. 30. Nov. 1 - Dec. 31, this
section of the Kenai will go to unbaited multiple hooks.
-
The Kenai from the Upper Killey upstream to Skilak Lake is now single-hook,
no bait.
-
The Kasilof River is also single hook, no bait.
-
For more information about Emergency Orders, see the "Helpful
Links," below.
-
Anglers are reminded that once they harvest their daily bag limit
of two silver salmon from the Kenai River, they cannot fish for any
species of fish downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna
that same day.
Salmon
Kenai
& Kasilof rivers
-
Anglers fishing from shore for silver salmon in the Russian River
area reported fair success, but many of the silvers were heavily watermarked.
Anglers are fishing at the Russian confluence and on the south bank
of the Kenai River downstream of the confluence.
-
Elsewhere on the Kenai River, silver salmon fishing improved last
week, from good to excellent at times. Anglers fishing in the Kenai
River from the outlet of Skilak Lake all the way downstream to River
Mile 9 reported great success, sometimes catching their limits within
one hour. Anglers also reported that many of the silvers were 15 or
more pounds Anglers fishing from shore in Soldotna's Centennial Park
campground reported great success using bobbers and eggs.
-
All anglers are also catching pink salmon in the lower and middle
Kenai River, though with less frequency each day as this year's pink
salmon run draws to an end.
-
The Kasilof silver salmon return is winding down. Most of the private
boat launches on the Kasilof River have closed their doors for the
season.
-
Kenai Peninsula water levels are slightly above average for this time
of year. Water clarity in the lower Kenai River is reported to be
fair at this time.
Swanson
River
-
Anglers targeting silver salmon in the Swanson River have reported
fair success within one mile of the mouth of the river. The best time
to fish is after the high tide has turned, and is going out again.
Bait and treble hooks are legal in the Swanson.
Resident
Fish - Kenai River
-
Anglers fishing for rainbow trout in the Kenai River downstream of
Skilak Lake continue to report fair success. The pink salmon in the
area are dying off so they're not interfering so much with the rainbow
fishery.
-
In the upper river, anglers fishing from boats report good success,
with many large trout being released. The very late arriving red salmon
are spawning in large numbers in the upper and middle Kenai River.
This has provided a large food source for the trout and Dolly Varden
char, which has reduced angler success.
-
Many streams have special tackle restrictions, so please check the
regulation booklet before fishing.
Lake
Fishing
-
Fall is a great float tube time. Head to Johnson Lake, Sport Lake,
Barbara Lake, or Jerome Lake for rainbow trout.
-
For Arctic char, which should bite well in this cooler weather, head
to Island Lake
-
For landlocked salmon, head to Longmare or Elephant/Spirit lakes,
-
See below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the
area lakes.
Northern
Pike
-
Try Scout Lake, 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, spinning, and fly-fishing gear. This time of year,
try top-water "poppers," "buzz baits," or mouse
patterns, especially those with weedless hooks. Some anglers are having
success using soft plastic baits that look like juvenile pike. Twitch
them through the weeds. 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.
Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Southcentral Region
Weekly Fishing Report
North
Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week
of August 27 - September 2
Issued August 30, 2006
Emergency
Orders and regulation reminders
- An
Emergency Order remains in effect that extends the red (sockeye) salmon
fishing season in the upper Kenai River through 8:00 p.m., Monday,
September 4 (which is Labor Day). The season extension applies only
from the ferry crossing downstream to the powerline, which is Area
A on the map on page 31 of your regulation booklet. Areas B and C
closed to fishing for red salmon on August 20.
- The
Emergency Order also increases the limit in this area 6 per day and
6 in possession, with no more than 2 per day and in possession being
silver salmon, so now this area matches the rest of the Kenai River,
which was increased to 6 by a previous Emergency Order.
- Also
in the entire upper Kenai River, you may use either a single-hook
unbaited fly, or a single-hook unbaited lure. The gap between the
point and the shank of the hook can be no larger than 3/8-inch, and
a single hook has only 1 point. Beads may now be used, but they must
be free-sliding on the line, or, if pegged, fixed within 2 inches
of the hook.
-
The United States Forest Service and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
continue to ban tent camping in the Russian River area campgrounds
and are continuing the nighttime closure, to reduce the likelihood
of negative bear-human encounters. When near the Russian River area,
please tune your radio to 1600 on the AM dial for the latest updates.
-
On the Lower Kenai River, anglers can use bait and treble hooks up
to the Upper Killey River. Starting September 1, the Kenai from the
Upper Killey upstream to Skilak Lake is single-hook, no bait.
-
The Kasilof River also goes to single hook, no bait, starting September
1.
-
The Emergency Order that increased the salmon limit at the Kasilof
River to 6 per day and 12 in possession remains in effect for the
rest of the year. Please respect posted "no trespassing signs".
-
For more information about Emergency Orders, see the "Helpful
Links," below.
-
Anglers are reminded that once they harvest their daily bag limit
of two silver salmon from the Kenai River, they cannot fish for any
species of fish downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna
that same day.
Salmon
Kenai & Kasilof rivers
- Through
midnight, August 29, a total of 85,034 late-run red salmon passed
the Russian River weir. Reports indicate that fishing downstream of
the ferry crossing is fair, with anglers sorting through dark fish
and catching the occasional bright fish.
-
Silver salmon fishing in the Kenai River continues to be hit or miss,
depending on where you fish. Below the Soldotna Bridge seems to be
fair to good, and upstream from the bridge seems to be good. Success
seems to be improving recently. Most anglers fishing from boats are
catching their limits in under four or five hours.
- All
anglers are also catching pink salmon in the lower Kenai River, with
excellent to fantastic success rates for those targeting pinks. Many
pink salmon over 10 pounds have been caught this year -- the state
record sport-caught pink salmon is 12 pounds, 9 ounces, caught in
the Moose River in 1970s. If you harvest a pink salmon you think is
larger than this, you might want to contact the Soldotna ADF&G
office as soon as possible for consideration as a new state record.
- Anglers
fishing from boats in the Kasilof River again report good to excellent
silver salmon success. The Kasilof silver salmon return appears to
be healthy so far this year. Remember that no bait is allowed downstream
of the Sterling Highway bridge starting September 1. Upstream of the
bridge, bait is allowed through September 15.
-
Kenai Peninsula water levels are above average for this time of year
due to the recent heavy rains. Water clarity in the lower Kenai River
is reported fair to good and has been improving..
Resurrection
Creek (Hope)
-
Anglers continue to report good catches of pinks at Resurrection Creek
in Hope. Anglers are also catching a few silver salmon. Limits are
three salmon per day, only two of which can be silver salmon. Fishing
for pink salmon in Resurrection Creek should begin to level out and
decline over the next couple of weeks.
Swanson
River
-
Anglers targeting silver salmon in the Swanson River report good success
within one mile of the mouth of the river, with the best time to fish
after the high tide has turned, and is going out again.
Resident Fish - Kenai River
-
Anglers fishing for rainbow trout in the Kenai River below Skilak
Lake report fair, though improving, success. Anglers fishing from
boats above Skilak Lake report excellent success rates at times, with
many large trout being released. Red and king salmon spawning in both
the upper and middle Kenai River, which has triggered voracious feeding
patterns for both rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
- Many
streams have special tackle restrictions, so please check the regulation
booklet before fishing.
Lake
Fishing
-
For a break from all the salmon action, take the float tube or canoe
to Johnson Lake, Upper Summit Lake, Sport Lake, Barbara Lake, or Jerome
Lake for rainbow trout.
-
For Arctic char, which should bite well in this cooler weather, head
to Island Lake
-
For landlocked salmon, head to Longmare or Elephant/Spirit lakes,
- See
below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area
lakes.
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, spinning, and fly-fishing gear. This time of year,
try top-water "poppers," "buzz baits," or mouse
patterns, especially those with weedless hooks.
-
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.
Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Southcentral Region
Weekly Fishing Report
North
Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week
of August 6 - August 12
Issued August 9, 2006
Emergency
Orders and regulation reminders
By Emergency Order, the Kenai River personal use dip netting is open
through Thursday, August 10, at 11:59 p.m. Dipnetting is allowed 24
hours per day through Thursday. Dipnetters should expect heavy commercial
fishing activity as well.
-
Another Emergency Order has been issued to liberalize the Kenai River
salmon limit to 6 per day, 6 in possession of which of no more than
2 may be silver (coho) salmon. This increase does NOT apply to the
Russian River / Kenai River fly-fishing-only area, which remains at
3 per day, 3 in possession until further notice. The fly-fishing-only
area is described on page 31 of your regulation booklet.
- The
Kenaitze Tribe special permit educational fishery near the mouth of
the Kenai River has also reopened by Emergency Order.
-
And an Emergency Order has been issued to continue the bag limit increase
at the Kasilof River. Anglers may keep six fish per day with twelve
fish in possession. Anglers have reported low success rates targeting
red salmon in the Kasilof River.
-
For more information about Emergency Orders, see the "Helpful
Links," below.
-
Please respect private property wherever you fish. On the Kasilof,
the north bank just upstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge (across
from the State Parks boat launch) is private property and "no
trespassing signs" have recently been posted.
-
The Kenai and Kasilof rivers are now closed by regulation to fishing
for king salmon for the rest of the year.
-
The Kasilof River personal use dip net fishery is also closed by regulation
for the rest of the season. Permits must be returned or postmarked
by August 15.
-
Anglers are reminded that once they harvest their daily bag limit
of two silver salmon from the Kenai River, they cannot fish for any
species of fish downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna
that same day.
Salmon
- Kenai & Kasilof rivers
-
Anglers at the Russian River reported fair to good success rates.
Although the late run is typically half over by now, the run may be
about one week late this year.
- Through
midnight, August 8, a total of 51,048 late run red salmon passed the
Russian River weir.
- If
you fillet your fish in the Russian River area, we are requesting
that you take a few extra seconds to chop up the carcasses into small
pieces and toss the small pieces into fast moving currents. This reduces
the piles of carcasses, which attract bears. Just remember to "Stop,
Chop, and Throw" your carcass pieces into fast moving currents.
- An
AM radio station is still available at the Russian River area to provide
updates on the fishing situation. Tune your radio to AM 1600. Also,
be sure to check out the video playing at the Russian River Ferry
Shack.
-
The agencies that manage the lands surrounding the Russian River sport
fishery (the United States Forest Service and the Kenai National Wildlife
Refuge) have banned tent camping in the campgrounds and have also
issued nighttime closure orders for lands within ¼ mile of
the Russian and Kenai rivers. The nighttime closure applies to the
lands from the Russian River falls downstream to the confluence of
the Kenai River, and then downriver on the mainstem Kenai to the powerline.
These areas are closed to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m.
- 6:00 a.m. daily. This was done to reduce the likelihood of negative
bear-human encounters.
- The
Kenai River late-run king salmon sonar counter was closed for the
season on August 8 due to the presence of pink salmon at levels which
were severely impacting ADF&G's ability to accurately estimate
king salmon passage. ADF&G projects that the Kenai River late-run
king salmon escapement goal has been met. Through midnight, August
7, an estimated total of 35,897 late-run king salmon passed the sonar
station.
- Anglers
reported that silver salmon fishing in the Kenai River has been fair
for this time of year. Anglers can use treble hooks and bait on the
Kenai River downstream from Skilak Lake (except at the Moose River
fly-fishing-only section).
-
No reports of angler success for silvers from the Kasilof River have
come in.
-
Anglers targeting pink salmon in the Kenai River should have excellent
success rates while fishing in the lower Kenai River. Large numbers
of pink salmon have entered the Kenai River in recent days.
-
Kenai River water levels are above average for this time of year.
Water clarity in the Kenai River was considered fair on August 1.
Pink
Salmon - Resurrection Creek (Hope)
-
The pink salmon return to Resurrection Creek should peak in mid-August,
and anglers may even find a few silver salmon in the creek. Limits
are three salmon per day, only two of which can be silver salmon.
Fishing for pink salmon in Resurrection Creek should be very productive
for the next week and beyond.
Resident
Fish - Kenai River
-
Anglers fishing for rainbow trout in the Kenai River below Skilak
Lake have reported good success. Anglers above Skilak Lake have reported
times of excellent success with many large trout being released. 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.
Lake
Fishing
-
See below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the
area lakes.
-
Johnson Lake in the Kasilof area is a great place to take a break
from all the salmon action and try for stocked rainbow trout.
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, spinning, 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
-
The Kasilof River personal use dip net fishery closed for the year
on August 7.
- The
Kenai River personal use dip net fishery will close for the year at
11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 10.
- Dip
netters are reminded that permits must be returned or postmarked by
August 15 or dipnetters may potentially face stiff penalties.
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 Orders ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
RUSSIAN
RIVER SANCTUARY AREA TO OPEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
The
Department of Fish and Game announced today that the Russian River Sanctuary
Area will be open to sockeye salmon sport fishing at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday,
June 21.
The
Russian River Sanctuary Area includes waters upstream from ADF&G
markers located just downstream of the ferry crossing on the Kenai River
to markers about 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman's
Landing. The Sanctuary Area also includes the waters around the upstream
end of the island near the Russian River mouth, and the Russian River
itself from its mouth upstream 100 yards to ADF&G markers. A map
to the area can be found on page 31 of the 2006 Southcentral Alaska
sport fishing regulation booklet.
The
sockeye salmon bag and possession limit will remain at 3 fish.
Department
staff have determined that the low end of the early-run sockeye salmon
spawning escapement goal of 14,000 fish through the weir will be achieved.
More than 10,000 sockeye salmon have moved above the waters that are
currently open, with approximately 5,000-6,000 additional fish in the
Sanctuary Area.
Please respect the new riverbank habitat restoration project and stay
on established pathways in the Sanctuary Area.
For
additional information contact Larry Marsh, Assistant Area Management
Biologist, (907) 262-9368.
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
Alaska
Department of Fish and Game
Southcentral Region
Weekly Fishing Report
North
Kenai Peninsula Management Area
Week
of June 25 to July 1
Issued June 28, 2006
Emergency Orders and
regulation reminders
-
The Russian River Sanctuary Area opened by Emergency Order on June
21.
-
Also by Emergency Order, the daily bag and possession limits in the
Russian River were raised to four salmon per day with four in possession
on July 25.
- Anglers
are reminded that, by Emergency Order, they may not 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. Another
Emergency Order allows bait in the Kenai River downstream of the Moose
River, through July 14.
-
Another Emergency Order has been issued to allow Kasilof River anglers
to keep naturally-produced king salmon on Thursdays 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 Kenai River king salmon slot limit and the single hook restriction
remain in effect through June 30 below the Soldotna Bridge and through
July 14 above the Soldotna Bridge.
Salmon - Kenai &
Kasilof rivers
- "
Anglers fishing for Russian River red salmon continue to report good
to excellent success, with many anglers catching their limits in less
than two or three hours.
- If
you fillet your fish in the Russian River area, please chop up the
carcasses into small pieces and toss the small pieces into fast moving
currents. This reduces the piles of carcasses which attract bears.
Just remember to "Stop, Chop, and Throw" your carcass pieces
into fast moving currents.
- Additionally,
AM radio stations were installed at both the Russian River Ferry and
at the Russian River campground. Anglers can now turn their radio
dials to AM 1600 for information about the fishery and other fisheries
related issues.
-
Kasilof River king salmon anglers fishing from boats reported that
success rates have continued to decline in recent days, and is considered
fair. Shore anglers did not report much success last week. The early-run
is nearly over and reports of angler success seem to support this.
-
On the Kenai River through midnight, June 26, an estimated total of
20,618 king salmon passed the station. The last 10 years' average
through midnight, June 26, is about 14,245 king salmon past the sonar
station. Red salmon continue to be observed passing by the king salmon
sonar station and may be influencing the estimates of king salmon
passage.
-
Angler reports and the ADF&G creel survey indicate that many Kenai
River king salmon are caught daily. Recent fishing is considered fair,
and, on occasion, good. Angler success should remain steady for the
remainder of June.
- Kenai
River water levels are continuing to rise and are near average for
this time of year. Water clarity in the Kenai River was considered
good to excellent on June 27.
Resident Fish - Kenai
River
-
All flowing waters in the Kenai River watershed re-opened to fishing
for rainbow trout on June 11. Anglers fishing for rainbow trout in
the Kenai River above Skilak Lake have reported good success.
-
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. All
rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway
bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the
water.
Lake Fishing
- See
below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area
lakes.
-
Johnson Lake in the Kasilof area a great place to try for stocked
rainbow trout. On May 1, 3,000 catchable sized rainbow trout were
stocked into Johnson Lake.
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
- The
Kasilof River personal use set gillnet fishery is closed. The Kasilof
River personal use dip net fishery opened June 25. 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 set netting at
the Kasilof.
-
A very informative personal use website has been set up, with information
from both the Division of Sport Fish and the Division of Commercial
Fisheries. Go to the Sport Fish home page and click on "Cook
Inlet Personal Use."
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
Previous Alaska Fishing
Reports
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.
Good
luck on the water and great fishing!
Mark
Glassmaker
You
can also view 2005 fishing reports.
Book
Review:
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for the Ultimate Alaska Fishing Resource? Look no Further.
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to sharpen their knowledge of the vast and varied fishing options available
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gambit of fishing the Greatland. The unique blend of exquisite writing
and epic photography makes TOP WATER an immediate addition to the top
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Top
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For
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