Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker • 1-800-622-1177

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.

Who owns Alaska Salmon?

Controlling Alaska’s resources, the fight for fish

by Jim Schewe
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 ADN

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- Alaska is sometimes referred to as "America's warehouse" or "America's pantry"-- as it was described as a place brimming with raw material waiting for harvest.

Since the days of William H. Seward, Alaska has provided the country with furs and pelts from the sea, timber from its forests, as well as minerals and oil from its ground.

But since statehood, it has often been a struggle for Alaskans to gain access to control and develop its own resources.

Perhaps no natural resource holds a greater bond with Alaskans than that of salmon.

The salmon is a symbol of subsistence and rugged individualism.

This renewable resource has been a source of economy for a territory and new state, but also a source of dispute between countries.

But most importantly, for more than 10,000 years, salmon has been a source of food for Alaksans both rural and urban.

But just like Alaska's other natural resources, gaining legal access to salmon has be a source of struggle over the past 50 years.

And because salmon is so important and intertwined in the history of the great land, it evokes great passion -- a passion that many politicians fear.

"Subsistence was so volatile an issue, that they decided not to deal with it in the 1971 Claims Settlement Act," UAA history professor Stephen Haycox said. "It ought to have been handled there because we're talking about native subsistence. I mean certainly it's subsistence for rural Alaska dwellers, but most of those are native, and it was a central issue for native Alaska. But it was so volatile, that the politicians realized it would sabotage the claims settlement and we wouldn't get this pipeline, we wouldn't have economic development in Alaska so they decided to wait and they postponed it to ANILCA."

Title 8 of the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act mandates rural preference of subsistence resources.

It was a very deliberate designation on the part of Washington D.C. lawmakers.

"If it had been done along racial lines, then you could have potentially in the same rural community some people that would have certain hunting, fishing privileges that were denied to other people in the very same community," said Tony Knowles, a former Alaska governor. "Almost in the same family you would run into those types of issues."

In preparation of ANILCA, in 1978 lawmakers in Juneau passed a bill requiring the state board of fisheries to grant a rural preference to subsistence users.

For nearly a decade Alaska managed both state and federal land and waterways under these requirements in compliance with ANILCA and state law.

But another challenge to the state and access to natural resources was around the bend.

"So now there's a rural preference, problem. The state constitution of Alaska says the resources of Alaska will be developed for the benefit of all Alaskans," Haycox said.

In response to a suit filed by sportsman's groups in 1989, the state supreme court ruled that a state rural preference was a violation of the state constitution.

"There is a group in the state, very understandable says ‘no, this is a state right we have the right todefine how we want our resources developed and we want them developed on an equitable basis,'" Haycox said.

This ruling had obvious consequences on two fronts: the state was no longer going to be in compliance with Title 8 of ANILCA and rural subsistence users were going to be denied access to their traditional fishing grounds and harvesting methods.

One of those was Katie John, an Athabaskan native elder from Mentasta.

"In Mentasta we had the river with a wheel there, and with all those big rivers coming to the Copper River which the fish run up. There they can fish and they can use a wheel, and that one law closed it up," John said.

"The whole issue was because since the state controlled it and since the state could no longer allow for a rural preference in its management, therefore we were not going to allow her to fish," Knowles said.

John then set the wheels in motion to regain her subsistence rights along the Copper River with a lawsuit against the state.

"From a state's perspective, there were all kinds of legal precedence as where the state had the authority over navigable waters," Knowles said. "Because of that transfer of power from the federal government to all states, Alaska was then in the position to deny Katie John the ability to put her fish wheel in the Copper River."

But if the state couldn't guarantee a rural subsistence preference in that transfer of power, the state's ability to manage federal land and waterways was now in jeopardy.

"The state is going to have to one way or the other come into compliance with that federal law, or the federal government is going to have to decide whether or not it wants to exercise its jurisdiction," Haycox said.

One way to bring the state into compliance with ANILCA was to amend the state constitution.

But despite polls showing the majority of Alaskans favoring rural preference, for nearly two decades state lawmakers refused to allow a constitutional amendment vote.

Then on September 30, 1999 during a special subsistence special session Juneau lawmakers failed once again to pass a plan that would allow Alaskans to vote on an amendment.

The following day the federal government took over control and management of Fish and Game, not only of federal land, but also on state land where those resources migrate.

"We were handed an impossible situation of trying to decide whether we were going to put civil rights to a vote or whether we were going to put state sovereignty to a vote," Rep. John Coghill said.

"It's a terrible day for Alaska that we may never get back management of Fish and Game, which is one of the prime reasons we became a state," Sen. Jonny Ellis said.

"I just don't believe that the federal law is correct. I think there's a lot to be said that it is unconstitutional," Sen. Pete Kelly said. "I think the only way we are going to get any kind of resolution is to get into the courts. Courts don't make public policy. They shouldn't make public policy. It's the democratic process that at the core of the democratic process is allowing the people to vote."

As a result, today there exists in Alaska's rivers and land a tenuous balance between state, federal, and subsistence rights.

All the while, the life cycle of a state's precious natural resource continues just as it has for thousands of years.

Contact Jim Schewe at jschewe@ktuu.com

 

Mark's Fishing Report, August 13, 2008

Late July fishing on the Kenai was a mix of disappointment and elation. The late run of Kenai river sockeye salmon never fully materialized and after an initial big push of fish in Mid July the run was merely steady for the remainder of the month. Due to low numbers and the less than likely chances that the run would meet minimum escapement goals the fishery was closed in late July below the Soldotna bridge and limited to one fish above the bridge. The commercial sockeye fishery was also severely restricted and ultimately closed and this allowed ample numbers of both king salmon and silver salmon to enter the river making the last week of July a very productive time on the lower Kenai. King salmon fishing in the last week of July was merely OK compared to some seasons but compared to the earlier weeks this season, fishing was considered excellent. Our boats had no problem providing ample opportunities for anglers and most boats scored limit or near limit catches in the final days of the season. Overall it was a mediocre late run king return this season on the Kenai but certainly not the worst return we have seen and there was plenty of action for those that were persistent and fished multiple days.

The early run of Kenai silver salmon arrived with a fury as the commercial sockeye fishery was closed to allow more fish to enter the river. This safe passage proved very rewarding for silver anglers as limit catches began the day after the king salmon season closed and have continued for the most part all the way to the writing of this report. The best fishing has been around the tides in the lower river but good number of coho have also been reported in the water below Skilak lake. The water below Skilak has been very clear and this has made the fishing for the silvers an early morning affair but after the silver action wanes, trout fishing has made for a good way to fill the remainder of the day. Pink salmon have made a modest appearance in the lower river with only moderate numbers so far and no where near the overwhelming numbers one can usually expect from this typically 2-3 million, semi-annual return.

Remote Fisheries:

All the remotes silver fisheries began in earnest in late July and remains excellent to date. The silver runs across the state arrived early and appear to be extremely strong. In addition to the silver salmon fishing, bear viewing at Big River Lake has been very good with multiple bears present including several sets of sows and cubs. Both brown and black bears have been regular visitors to Wolverine Creek.

July 14 Fishing Report (courtesy of Kenai River Sportmans Association)

Late-Run Kenai Kings

·           This year’s run is starting slow and running late, similar to last year.  Last year’s run was about 8 days late.

·           Sonar counts are low as we are still waiting for the first good push of kings into the river. 

·           King catches in the Kasilof set net fishery are also relatively low but are starting to build.

·           The forecast is for an above-average run (66,000 total & 57,000 to the river) although Chinook returns throughout Alaska are generally lagging behind their forecasts.

·           Unlike sockeye, King forecasts have a much better history of accuracy because of the multiple overlapping age structure.

·           It is far too early to consider any management response to King counts.  On average, only 12% of the late run has been counted through July 7.  Historically as little as 6% of the run has been counted through this date.

·           Meaningful in-season run size updates are not practical until around July 19.  Sport fishery restrictions for the late run are not appropriate prior to that date.

Late-Run Kenai Sockeye

·           Sonar counts began July 1 and early counts are slow.  It’s showing like another late run like we’ve seen the last three years (2005-2007) with big numbers well into August.  However, in-season run size updates are typically not reliable until around July 20.

·           The forecast is for 3.1 million which is close to the recent 10-year average.  Forecasts have been underestimates for the last six years in a row but 2008 will be the first of four consecutive years produced by spawner numbers exceeding the current escapement goals.

Kasilof Sockeye

·           The Kasilof sockeye run remains strong and on track for the big forecast (1.29 million).

·           Six consecutive days of commercial set net fishing from Saturday June 28 through Thursday July 3 brought down the Kasilof sonar counts by the July 4^th weekend.

·           On average, 37% of the Kasilof sockeye run has been counted by July 7.

·           Escapement is being managed and is on track to fall within the optimum escapement goal range of 150,000-300,000.

Susitna Sockeye

·           Yentna sonar counts started on July 7.  The Yentna sonar is the basis for the Susitna sockeye escapement index.  The peak of the Yentna run is typically counted around July 24.

·           This year’s forecast is for a very weak run (344,000) and escapement is unlikely to reach the goal unless the run is greater than forecast or the drift net fishery in the central district is significantly restricted during early July.

Commercial Fisheries

·           Set net harvest in the Kasilof area continues to be very good with over 300,000 sockeye through Monday July 7.  As we feared, ADFG set aside a portion of the 36-hour window in the Kasilof set net fishery.  The incursion was for 2 hours on Saturday morning in order to fish the morning tide.  Weekly EO time limits were also exceeded by 1 hour.  ADFG is concerned about exceeding the Kasilof sockeye escapement goal later in the season based on strong early numbers.  KRSA expressed its concern for out-of-plan actions for the benefit of the commercial fishery, particularly those affecting windows.

·           The drift net fishery started slowly with limited effort as many fishers elected to wait for significant numbers of fish to arrive.  Effort and harvest picked up considerably in Monday’s regular district-wide opener and suggest that good numbers of sockeye are beginning to move through the inlet.  Drift net harvest to date has totaled over 300,000 sockeye with almost half of the catch taken yesterday.

This week

·           The Kenai commercial set net fishery is scheduled to begin on Thursday July 10.  It could have been EO’d to start today (July 8) but early Kenai sockeye counts did not warrant an opening.

·           The floating 24-hour requirement for a commercial set net fishery closure window was met on Sunday.  A fixed 36-hour window is scheduled to begin Thursday night or Friday morning.

·           The Kasilof setnet fishery is likely to continue to go hard through the rest of the week.  If current Kasilof trends continue, it is likely that ADFG will again go outside the management plan by fishing during the next 36-hour weekend window in the Kasilof section.  The window will likely be observed in the Kenai section where sockeye numbers have yet to build.

·           The regular drift net fishery opener on Thursday and next Monday is scheduled to be restricted to area 1 (south of Kalgin Island) and the Kenai/Kasilof corridor in order to protect northern-district fish.  However, with this year’s possible later run timing, it is likely that this fishery will just be heading out to meet them.  A serious effort to meet the minimum Yentna sockeye escapement goal would restrict the drift net fishery to the Kenai/Kasilof corridor for 2 or more regular periods until significant numbers of sockeye begin showing in the Yentna.

·           The Kenai PU fishery will open weakly on July 10 as few sockeye are moving into the river (duh).

·           The second Kenai King run is pending.  It is late and might not hit the forecast but counts are liable to jump at any time.  This run has never failed to meet its escapement goal since goals were first set in 1989 and fishery restrictions have not been necessary since 1992.  (The sport fishery was also restricted in 1998 but restrictions proved to be unnecessary because the run was just late - this is a cautionary note.)

Mark's Fishing Report, June 30, 2008

Kenai River:

As the last days of June fade away and we enter the month of July, fishing on the Kenai River has remained remarkably consistent. This is the point in the season when we see the bulk of our early run fish move well upriver and begin to see the first late run fish enter the mouth. So far it seems like we are still seeing late arriving early run kings and thus far only a few late run fish have arrived. Fish counts have been holding steady at between 200-300 fish daily and although the fishing success has varied from day to day, there has still been lots of action. Again, over the next week to ten days we should see a noticeable decline in early run kings and begin to see increased numbers of late run Kenai King salmon.

Kasilof River:

Despite being well past the typical peak for early run kings on the Kasilof, fishing has remained remarkably good for both native and hatchery fish. Multiple fish days have remained the rule and water levels remain considerably lower than normal. Crooked Creek, the main tributary that early run kings are headed for, remains very low and while in most year the fish have left the main stem Kasilof and headed up the creek, this year the fish have largely remained in the main river and have yet to enter Crooked Creek in any significant numbers. This may help explain why the fishing has remained so consistent but the number of dark fish is increasing by the day and with fewer fresh kings entering the river, this fishery should slow considerably over the next week.

Remote Fisheries:

Big River Lake:

Fishing for sockeye at the mouth of Wolverine Creek has gotten better and better by the day. Currently thousands of ocean bright red salmon are massing at the mouth of the creek and limits have been the rule for the last week to ten days. Despite lower than normal lake levels, fish have committed to the clear waters around Redoubt Bay and the outlet of Wolverine Creek and along with a few brown and black bears, anglers are doing very, very well. This fishery should remain very productive well into July until it transitions to silver salmon in early August.

Chuit River:

The Chuit finally cleared enough to fish and reports indicate a fair number of bright kings are available. Largely due to high flows and poor visibility, this river saw little or no pressure for the majority of June and many of the kings made their way well upriver unimpeded.

Nushagak River:

Despite a slow start, the Nushagak saw some exceptional spikes in the number of kings entering the river in the last week. June 26 and 27 saw a combined 26,000 kings pour into this huge western Alaska river, well know for hosting the largest return of king salmon statewide. Counts did drop back down to just 2,500 fish on June 28 but more large pulses should be on the way. Fishing success reportedly swelled considerably with the huge numbers of fish entering the river and this week should prove to be very productive.

Cook Inlet:

Halibut fishing has remained very consistent. Limits of tasty halibut in the 20-40# range have been the rule with a fair number of fish in the 80-100# class being reported. This fishery should remain a good bet well into July and early August.

 

 

Mark's Fishing Report, June 22, 2008

Kenai/Kasilof Rivers:

Kenai:

The Kenai River went through its seasonal rise in water volume as a spell of warm weather melted our excessive snow pack and tributaries such as Funny River, Killey River and Wally’s Creek all contributed greatly to the main stem’s elevated flows. With the added water, so also came more turbidity and the river muddied up for a few days this past week and is still currently running high and off color. This did affect fishing success to a certain extent but despite the higher, murky water, good King Salmon fishing still prevailed. This past week yielded many excellent fishing days and though sonar counts indicated the number of kings entering the river had slowed, good numbers were still being caught. As this is the seasonal peak time for the early run, one should expect fishing success to slow somewhat as the early run comes to a close and the late run begins to build. We do have years where both runs mesh very well and good fishing prevails but many years we see a noticeable decline in success as the transitions between the two runs become evident. This coming week will reveal just how this transition will be.

Trout fishing on the Kenai River has gotten off to a mediocre start as many fish are still in spawning mode and super clear water above the snow/glacier tributaries has hampered the fishing success. Despite the less than ideal conditions we have had 35-50 fish days and as the summer progresses this fishery will improve dramatically.

Kasilof:

Though we have largely shifted the majority of our king effort to the Kenai River, the Kasilof has reportedly remained a viable option with a number of boats seeing multiple fish days. This is very late for this run to still be producing fresh early run kings but statewide runs have been later than normal. This return is certainly due to slow down but overall it was a very productive year on the Kasilof river.

 

Remote Fisheries:

Wolverine Creek:

The sockeye have finally nosed into the outlet of Wolverine Creek and lake Levels have finally started to rise. Big River Lake remains very low but fishing has been very good and the bears are also starting to make their annual appearance at the outlet of the creek.

Cook Inlet Halibut:

Fishing for halibut has been excellent with many fish in the 50 – 100# class being taken daily. This fishery is always very consistent and should only improve daily as more and more big fish move into Cook Inlet form the Gulf of Alaska.

Mark's Fishing Report, June 11, 2008

Kenai/Kasilof Rivers:

Kasilof:

Over the last week to ten days, king salmon fishing on the Kasilof has improved dramatically. After a colder than normal spring and a relatively late start, the Kasilof is now seeing strong and regular pulses of kings entering the river daily. Catch rates have been very consistent with most boats getting between 2 and 10 kings a day. The return has been mostly natural fish but we are now seeing more hatchery origin kings and the run seems to be getting better by the day. I would expect this return to peak over the next week with excellent fishing into the third week of June.

 

Kenai:

 

The Kenai River is also seeing excellent fishing for king salmon as the early run inches toward its historical mid June peak. Good numbers of fresh kings have been arriving daily and catch rates have been very good. The fishing should hold steady for the next week to ten days. Water conditions are still lower and clearer than normal but this should change as we get rain and also warmer temperatures which will both boost runoff.

 

 

Remote Fisheries:

Big River Lake:

The late spring has delayed the arrival of Big River Lake/Wolverine Creek Sockeye and lake levels are far lower than we have seen in recent memory. While this run is usually seeing good numbers of fish by this date in June, it looks like it will at least a week to ten days before catchable numbers of red salmon are available. Warmer temperatures are need to create glacial melt and this will bring the lake up and also encourage more fish to settle into Redoubt Bay and the entrance to Wolverine Creek.

Chuitna River:

The Chuit is currently very high and muddy due to excessive runoff from a very robust snow pack in its headwaters. It is estimated it will be at least 2-3 days before this river is fishable and once it begins to clear, fishing for king salmon should be very good.

Mark's Fishing Report, June 1, 2008

Kasilof River:

The season is off to a relatively slow start on the Kasilof River with only decent numbers of natural fish present and very few hatchery origin kings in the system. More consistent numbers of king salmon are now arriving on each tide and although fishing success has been sporadic at best, moderate numbers of king salmon are being taken daily on both cured salmon eggs and sardine wrapped Kwikfish. Due to colder than normal temperatures and an overall late spring, river levels and water temperatures are below seasonal norms and this can certainly help explain the modest beginning to the 2008 season. The next week should see things improve dramatically as we inch closer to the historical peak for this early run king salmon return. Currently our boats are averaging 2-5 fish per trip which is not blockbuster but is certainly in the ballpark for a good day of king salmon fishing during any time of the season. Hopefully those numbers will spike with more fish arriving in the next week to ten days.

Kenai River:

The Kenai River has experienced a similar start to the Kasilof with colder than normal water temps and low water conditions. However, sonar counts for king salmon have been encouraging and beginning today, the river was open to the use of bait via Emergency Order from ADF&G:

By Staff Report | Peninsula Clarion

Due to sufficient numbers of early run king salmon entering the Kenai River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that anglers may fish with bait from a point approximately 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai Rivers beginning at 12:01 a.m. today.

On Friday alone, 267 king salmon were recorded entering the Kenai River by the sonar station located 8.6 miles from the mouth of the river, for a cumulative 2,229 kings so far in the early-run. The "Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Management Plan" directs Fish and Game to achieve a spawning escapement goal of 5,300-9,000 king salmon. Fish and Game is currently projecting a total in-river run of early-run king salmon of approximately 11,000 to 19,000 fish and a spawning escapement within the escapement goal.

All other Kenai River special provisions, methods and means, and bag and possession limits remain in effect. Anglers may only use one single-pointed hook. Anglers may keep only those king salmon that are less than 46 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. All other king salmon must be released immediately.

For additional information, contact Robert Begich, Fish and Game Area Management Biologist, at 907-262-9368.

Fishing success has not mirrored the sonar counts and anglers are seeing only sporadic success so far with less than a one fish per boat average. The cold water may be contributing to the low success but the introduction of bait should improve success considerably, at least in the short term. Next week should yield better conditions and more action as more fish continue to arrive and we add bait to the fishery.

Emergency Order Number 2-KS-1-07-08 May 30, 2008

As provided by 5 AAC 57.160 KENAI RIVER AND KASILOF RIVER EARLY-RUN KING

SALMON MANAGEMENT PLAN (d)(3), if the spawning escapement is projected to be within the optimal escapement goal, the commissioner shall, by emergency order, liberalize the sport fishery by allowing the use of bait if the department projects that the total harvest under the increased liberalization will not reduce the escapement to achieve the optimal escapement goal.

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 Thursday, May 29, the total inriver run is approximately 1,962 king salmon and the estimated total harvest is less than 100 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 low angler effort and poor water conditions.

The Department projects a total run of approximately 11,000 to 19,000 fish and a spawning escapement within the optimal escapement goal range of 5,300 to 9,000 fish. Therefore, it is warranted to liberalize this fishery.

DISTRIBUTION:

The distribution list for this emergency order is on file at the Region 2 Office of Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, (907) 267-2218.

KENAI RIVER KING SALMON ESCAPEMENT

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/Escapement/html/qResults.cfm

-----------------------------------------------------

SPORT FISHING

Emergency Order ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME Under Authority of AS 16.05.060

Emergency Order No. 2-KS-1-07-08 Issued at Soldotna: Friday, May 30, 2008 Effective Date: 12:01 a.m., Sunday, June 1, 2008 Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2008, unless superseded by subsequent emergency order.

EXPLANATION:

This emergency order allows the use of bait in flowing waters of the Kenai River drainage open to fishing for king salmon beginning 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 1, 2008 through 11:59 p.m., Monday June 30, 2008. 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 the Moose and Kenai rivers. The slot limit remains in effect through June 30 below the Soldotna Bridge and through July 14 above the Soldotna Bridge. Only those king salmon less than 46 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length may be retained while the slot limit is in effect.

REGULATION:

The provisions of 5 AAC 57.121 SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND LOCALIZED ADDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS TO THE SEASONS, BAG, POSSESSION, AND SIZE LIMITS, AND METHODS AND MEANS FOR THE LOWER SECTION OF THE KENAI RIVER DRAINAGE AREA (1) (A) are superceded by this emergency order. Under this emergency order, the following provisions are effective beginning at 12:01 a.m., Sunday, June 1, 2008 through 11:59 p.m., Monday June 30, 2008.

5 AAC 57.121 SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND LOCALIZED ADDITIONS AND EXCEPTIONS TO THE SEASONS, BAG, POSSESSION, AND SIZE LIMITS, AND METHODS AND MEANS FOR THE LOWER SECTION OF THE KENAI RIVER DRAINAGE AREA.

(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 1 to June 30, in the Kenai River upstream from its mouth to a point one hundred yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai River, one single-hook may be used and the use of bait is allowed.

Denby S. Lloyd,
Commissioner
By delegation to:
Robert N. Begich
Area Management Biologist

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/Devpdf/2008/R2/EO_2-KS-1-07-08_Kenai_King_Bait.pdf

2008 KENAI RIVER KING SALMON
( ADF&G SONAR )

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2007 KENAI RIVER KING SALMON

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2006 KENAI RIVER KING SALMON

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2005 KENAI RIVER KING SALMON

Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker
33361 Keystone Drive, Soldotna, Alaska 99669
1-800-622-1177

© 2003-2009, Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker
About the Webmaster
Additional Lodging Information