Sockeye Limit Increase For Kasilof River Sport Anglers; Dipnet Area Expanded

The following press releases are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Limits Increased

(Soldotna) – To allow anglers additional harvest opportunity of Kasilof River sockeye salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag (daily) and possession limits for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession in all waters of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. These provisions are effective from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

The biological escapement goal (BEG) on the Kasilof River is 140,000–320,000 sockeye salmon. As of June 23, 2025, a total of 110,966 sockeye salmon have passed the Kasilof River sonar site. The current escapement of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the BEG.

“Increasing the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon allows anglers an opportunity to harvest additional sockeye salmon on what is shaping up to be a very strong run” stated Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey.

In addition to increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, ADF&G issued emergency order 2-RS-1-25-25 expanding the area open to dipnetting on the Kasilof River effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 7, 2025.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at (907) 260-2920.

Kasilof River Personal Use Dipnetting Area Expanded

(Soldotna) – To provide dipnetters more opportunity to harvest their household limits of sockeye salmon on the Kasilof River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is expanding the Kasilof River personal use dipnetting area.

Personal use dipnetting from the shore will be allowed in an expanded area from ADF&G markers on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge on the Kasilof River. Dipnetting from a boat is allowed from the same ADF&G markers located on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to ADF&G markers at approximately river mile 4 of the Kasilof River. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 7, 2025.

An Upper Cook Inlet personal use permit and a 2025 resident sport fishing license are required to participate. Dipnetting on the Kasilof River is allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only Alaska residents may participate. King salmon or non-salmon species may not be kept in the Kasilof River personal use salmon fishery. Any king salmon, Dolly Varden, or rainbow/steelhead trout caught while dipnetting may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

“Current sockeye salmon passage into the Kasilof River is looking very strong and is on track to exceed the biological escapement goal. To provide more opportunity to Alaska residents, the personal use dipnetting area for boat and shore anglers is being expanded” stated Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey. “The Department would also like to remind dipnetters that king salmon of any size may not be kept while dipnetting and king salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.”

The biological escapement goal (BEG) on the Kasilof River is 140,000 – 320,000 sockeye salmon. As of June 23, a total of 110,966 sockeye salmon have passed the Kasilof River sonar site. The current escapement of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the BEG.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at (907) 260-2920.