ADFG Updates Chinook Fishery Closures To Kenai, Kasilof Rivers And Cook Inlet Waters

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

Kenai River Closed to King Salmon Fishing

(Soldotna) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increasing fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the king salmon fishery throughout the entire Kenai River drainage and prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake. These regulatory changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Anglers are advised this closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Anglers are also reminded that bait/scent and multiple hooks are prohibited on the entire Kenai River.

ADF&G manages Kenai River late-run king salmon under guidelines provided in the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan to ensure adequate escapement of late-run king salmon into the Kenai River system. The optimal escapement goal (OEG) for late-run king salmon is 15,000 to 30,000 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer.

Through July 18, 2021, approximately 2,872 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar. Inseason projections estimate an escapement of approximately 10,068 large king salmon under the current management strategy. Therefore, consistent with the management plan, it is warranted to close sport fishing for late-run king salmon in the Kenai River. ADF&G is also implementing restrictions and closures to the commercial fisheries.

“The 2021 king salmon late-run to the Kenai River is significantly below preseason expectations, without further restrictions the escapement goal for Kenai River late-run king salmon is not expected to be achieved” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka.

As a reminder, retention of king salmon is prohibited in the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery for 2021. In conjunction with this restriction, an emergency order was issued closing sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release, in all Cook Inlet saltwaters north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00′ N. lat.). In addition, an emergency order was issued closing king salmon sport fishing on the Kasilof River. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing for other species in the Kasilof River.

For additional information, please contact Colton Lipka, Area Management Biologist (907) 262-9368 or Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller at (907) 267-2415.

Kasilof River Closed to King Salmon Fishing

(Soldotna) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increasing fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the king salmon fishery on the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing in these waters.

Anglers are advised this closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Anglers are also reminded that bait/scent and multiple hooks are prohibited downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge.

“King salmon runs across the Kenai Peninsula are significantly below preseason expectations,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka. “Regulatory restrictions and closures have been issued for the Kenai River king salmon sport fishery during July. These emergency orders would likely result in an increase in the sport fishing effort and catch of king salmon in the Kasilof River. Therefore, to minimize the effects of conservation actions for the Kenai River, it is warranted to close king salmon fishing on the Kasilof River to ensure adequate escapement of Kasilof River late-run king salmon.”

In conjunction with this restriction, an emergency order was issued closing king salmon sport fishing on the Kenai River. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing for other species in the Kenai River. In addition, an emergency order was issued closing sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release, in all Cook Inlet saltwaters north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00′ N. lat.)

For additional information, please contact Colton Lipka, Area Management Biologist (907) 262-9368 or Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller at (907) 262-9368.

King Salmon Sport Fishing Closure in Cook Inlet Saltwaters 

(Homer) – In favor of protecting returning Kenai River late-run king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release, in all Cook Inlet saltwaters north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00′ N. lat.) This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021.

ADF&G manages Kenai River late-run king salmon under guidelines provided in the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan to ensure adequate escapement of late-run king salmon into the Kenai River system. The optimal escapement goal (OEG) for late-run king salmon is 15,000 to 30,000 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer. The plan includes the king salmon sport fishery in Cook Inlet saltwaters north of Bluff Point and specifies that both sport fisheries, king salmon fishing in the Kenai River and king salmon fishing in Cook Inlet saltwaters north of Bluff Point must close when the run is projected to be less than 15,000 king salmon greater than 34 inches total length.

Through July 18, 2021, approximately 2,872 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar. Inseason projections estimate an escapement of approximately 10,068 large king salmon under the current management strategy. Therefore, consistent with the management plan, it is warranted to close king salmon sport fishing in Cook Inlet saltwater north of Bluff Point. ADF&G is also implementing restrictions and closures to the commercial fisheries.

“This closure allows late-run Kenai River king salmon to migrate through Cook Inlet saltwaters without being targeted by anglers” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Anglers will still be able to sport fish for king salmon in lower Cook Inlet since there are no restrictions to the fishery south of Bluff Point, and anglers will also be able to still sport fish north of Bluff Point for other species such as halibut.”

In conjunction with this restriction, an emergency order was issued closing king salmon sport fishing on the Kenai River. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing for other species in the Kenai River. In addition, an emergency order was issued closing king salmon sport fishing on the Kasilof River. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing for other species in the Kasilof River.

For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at 907-235-8191.