Alaska Fishing News and Reports
Alaska Fisheries News
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- Alaska
fishing reports during the fishing season
- Alaska
fishing forecasts
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of interest related to salmon, trout and steelhead fisheries around
the world
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articles related to Alaska fisheries resources in general.
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articles related specifically to the Kenai Peninsula and Cook Inlet
fisheries.
ADF&G
Emergency Orders And Regulation Reminders.
Kenai
Area
An
Emergency Order has been issued to allow the use of bait in
the lower Kenai River from 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2007, through
11:59 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2007. Bait may be used from
a point 100 yards downstream of the Moose River downstream to the mouth.
All other regulations remain in effect, including the slot limit and
the use of only one single-pointed hook.
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/weekly/update.cfm?area_key=5
The
Reason For Opening The Kenai River For Bait Fishing
The
Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Management Plan
(5 AAC 57.160) directs the Department to achieve the optimal escapement
goal of 5,300 to 9,000 king salmon. Through Saturday, June 9, the total
in river run is approximately 6,192 king salmon and the estimated total
harvest is 253 king salmon below the Soldotna Bridge. The ADF&G
Kenai River creel survey indicates the harvest of king salmon has been
lower than usual due to the combination of turbid water conditions and
low angler effort.
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/...bait.pdf
Alaska
Fishing Reports
Fishing
Report: June 23, 2007
Kenai/Kasilof
The
Kenai River came up considerably in the last week after a spell of hot
weather resulted in snow and glacial melt. The river held its color
despite rising daily until late in the week when it became too dirty
to fish effectively. Late Thursday through mid day Saturday saw less
than optimal water conditions and less productive fishing as the river
was more of a cloudy grey than its typical turquoise green. On Saturday
afternoon after a day of clouds and cooler weather, the Kenai finally
regained a slight hue of green, though fishing remained far lass productive
than earlier in the week. The majority of the early run kings seemed
to have moved upriver with the higher water and the numbers of fish
entering the mouth remains lower (200-400 fish daily). The fish appear
to be moving very fast in the higher water and this has definitely hampered
fishing success. Nonetheless, a fair number of king are still being
caught daily with most boats landing 2-5 fish per day. The early run
should remain on the decline and we should begin to see the first scouts
of the late run arriving soon. July is just around the corner.
On
the Kasilof, king fishing remains fair even though we are past the historical
peak for the early run fishery. Boats are still averaging 2-7 kings
per day but this likely will not last as again this run typically is
past its peak by this time in June and will very likely see a dip in
the action before the late run kings arrive in mid to late July.
Remote
fisheries
Big
River Lake and Wolverine Creek are producing limit catches of red salmon
daily as the first waves of fish to this location seemed to be very
strong. A number of sockeye have already entered the creek itself but
many still remain in the cove at the mouth of Wolverine and new fish
are arriving daily. Bears have been seen on a regular basis although
so far this season it has been more black than brown bears.
The
Chuitna has plenty of kings in the system but low clear water has them
off the bite. Recent cloudy weather and rain will likely improve this
location considerably before the widow for the fishery passes July 1.
Mark's
Fishing report, June 15, 2007
Kenai
/ Kasilof
The
Kenai River is now maintaining a consistent turquoise green color and
with the use of bait beginning Tuesday, fishing success has also become
more steady. Catch rates are considered fair to good with most boats
landing multiple fish per trip. The river has a large number of smaller
jack salmon (kings from 5 -15lbs) present and these are providing great
action between hook-ups with larger kings. Our boats have been releasing
a fair number of fish that are over the 44 inch slot range but there
are also plenty of nice 25-40 lb. fish that are beneath the slot and
perfect for those wanting to take a fish home. Sonar counts still remain
good but have declined since the spike of over 1000 fish on June 8.
The run should remain strong into late June before numbers of late run
kings begin to enter the system. As long as the river holds its color
and the fish counts continue to be above 500 fish per day, good fishing
for Kenai king salmon can be expected.
For
recent sonar data, please see:
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/escapement/html/
Trout
fishing on the Kenai opened this week with fair results below Skilak
Lake. The number of fish has been quite good with anglers landing 15-30
fish individually per trip. Many rainbows are still completing their
spring spawn so some are displaying vivid coloration but many have chromed
back up and look bright and very healthy. This fishery will only continue
to produce great fishing until its season peak in the fall.
The
Russian River is seeing good numbers of sockeye salmon and these fish
can be seen splashing along the edges of the main stem Kenai on a regular
basis. Reports from those fishing the Russian itself have been very
positive with limit catches from the confluence up to the falls. Those
willing to walk well upriver from where the Russian meets the Kenai
are finding plenty of fish and far less people.
On
the Kasilof, the number of fish entering on the tides has begun to wane
although there does seem to be more fish in the holes upriver and action
remains fair. We are past the seasonal peak for this run so one should
expect this fishery to taper off over the next week to ten days. The
ratio of “natural” or wild fish to hatchery fish seems to
be at least 50/50 with good numbers of both fish currently in the system.
Water levels are rising fast with our recent dose of warm, sunny weather.
Remote
fisheries:
The
Chuit is quite low for this time in June but good numbers of king salmon
are available. The fishing is only considered fair with anglers landing
1-5 fish per rod, per day. The clarity of the river is holding steady
so although it is on the low side, the fish are still biting good and
are not too spooked by super clear flows that can sometimes dampen the
fishing on this small remote river. We have enjoyed exclusive access
to some of the river’s prime holding water with the helicopter
and even though the number of fish has not been excessive, our trips
have been quite successful. When and if the river rises and more kings
push upriver from tide water, the fishing should improve dramatically.
On
Big River Lake and Wolverine Creek, good numbers of sockeye are now
entering Redoubt bay and the mouth of the creek and fishing had been
good. We are also starting to see bears arrive and this has made for
some excellent viewing opportunities to go along with limit catches
of red salmon. This run should only get better and better into July
before the much anticipated run of silver salmon arrives.
Mark's
Fishing report, June 9, 2007
Kenai
/ Kasilof
The
Kenai River finally regained its emerald green color late Friday and
intro Saturday and fishing was again possible. Success rates varied
river-wide but there was some decent action for a handful of guides
ands lucky anglers. Despite excellent fish counts, fishing success is
still considered less than average as water temperature hover at 42
degree, considerably colder than normal for this time of year. Nevertheless,
for those here vying for that one chance at the largest king salmon
on earth, some did realize their dreams. One lucky angler on my boat
landed a fish that taped 52 inches and was an estimated weight of 70+
lbs. This is what the Kenai is all about. Fishing conditions will improve
drastically (without additional rain) by Tuesday and we are expecting
next week to be very productive.
Good
numbers of Russian River Red salmon are also showing and those willing
to put in the time are catching a handful of these delicious salmon.
On
the Kasilof river, fair numbers of king salmon are entering on each
tide and fishing is considered fair to good. The success rate is less
than normal for this time of the season but it should continue to pick
up and get better considering run timing statewide has been late overall.
Fishing pressure had been high due to the adverse conditions on the
Kenai but this should even out now that the Kenai is more fishable.
Mark's
Fishing Report, June 6, 2007
Kenai/Kasilof
The
Kasilof River is seeing good numbers of king salmon in recent days although
the number of boats on the river has been extreme on certain days and
this has had a direct effect on fishing success. On days when there
are a moderate number of boats fishing, the catch rates have definitely
been better as there are only a finite number of kings available daily.
Overall though the run continues to improve and it should get better
through this week as we head for the seasonal peak of this run (typically
June 10-15).
On
the Kenai River, fishing on this past Friday and Saturday was considered
very good with most boats landing between one and three kings. The river
was closed for the regular Sunday and Monday break and on Tuesday high
winds and rains over the weekend in the Kenai mountains muddied the
water and made king fishing all but impossible. The dirty water increased
water levels considerably and made visibility very poor. Until the river
cleans up (likely not till Saturday), king fishing on the Kenai will
remain very tough.
West
Side Cook Inlet: Fly Out fisheries
Sockeye
returning to big river Lake have made their first appearance and catchable
numbers of fish are present in the outskirts of the lake. Water levels
on Big River and Big River Lake are very low but the fish are balled
up in select locations and catch rates have been decent for the few
trips angers have made to this location.
Cook
Inlet Halibut / King Salmon
Cook
Inlet halibut fishing remains very consistent with limit catches being
the rule for all boats heading out for these tasty flatfish. The tides
are less than optimal now but will improve daily heading into next week.
King fishing in the Inlet has slowed and many captains have put away
the troll gear and are not fishing for kings in combination with their
halibut trip as the results are not worth the effort. This is typical
for this time in June as the kings move past the marine fishery and
enter the rivers.
Mark's
Fishing Report, May 30, 2007:
Water
clarity on the Kenai River improved considerably in the last two days
and the number of kings entering the river continues to increase daily.
With the better conditions, fishing success has also picked up, although
catch rates are still only fair. Fishing should continue to improve
into the first week of June. Fishing on the Kasilof river has also picked
up with more fish available in the last two days. This fishery should
also continue to pick up as we enter the first week of June as this
is historically a very productive time for this river.
Mark's Fishing Report,
May 29, 2007:
Much
like 2006, the early runs of king salmon on both the Kenai and the Kasilof
Rivers are off to a fairly slow start. Numbers of fish on both rivers
have yet to materialize though enough kings are showing in each system
to providing some decent action mainly around the high tides.
On
the Kasilof, fishing is gradually improving each day but the river is
still very low and the best fishing seems to be in the lower portion
of the river and is occurring a few hours before and after the high
tides. Boats are averaging one to three fish per trip and it seem clear
that the major push of early run Kasilof kings has yet to arrive. The
larger numbers of fish should improve fishing considerable and we hope
this will happen in the next week to ten days.

On the Kenai, fishing last week was considered decent with decent numbers
of fish being taken around the high tide in the lower river but recent
rains have put the river off color and as a result, fishing success
has waned. The water is clearing daily and fishing for early run Kenai
kings should pick up throughout this week. Sonar counts are slowly increasing.
Please see:
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/escapement/...
Cook
Inlet salt water fishing has been the most consistent so far this season
with good king salmon fishing at times and very good catch rates for
halibut in the 20-40lb. range.
Good
luck on the water and great fishing!
Mark
Glassmaker
Mark's
2005 fishing reports
Mark's 2006 fishing reports
Book
Review:
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