Kenai Peninsula Coho Salmon Restrictions Announced

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

Kenai Peninsula Fresh Waters Coho Salmon Restrictions

(Southcentral) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions for the flowing fresh waters of the Kenai Peninsula (excluding the Kenai River) effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 24 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The bag and possession limits for coho salmon 16” or greater in length will be reduced from two to one fish, the use of bait will be prohibited, and gear will be restricted to single-hook, artificial lure. This regulation change does not affect any Kenai Peninsula lakes. The bag limit reduction includes the Kasilof River but the use of bait is not restricted below the Sterling Highway bridge. Please see Emergency Order 2-SS-1-54-24 for changes to the Kasilof sport fishing gear regulations.

Based on the performance indicators of both freshwater and saltwater sport fisheries from throughout Southcentral Alaska, this year’s coho salmon run is well below average and restrictions or closures have already been issued for the Northern Cook Inlet area, Anchorage Bowl Area, and Valdez. Coho salmon stock assessment on the Kenai Peninsula is limited to a radio telemetry project on the Kenai River and a few escapement monitoring projects. Currently, there are no escapement goals for any coho salmon stocks on the Kenai Peninsula. On the Anchor River, coho salmon escapement has been fully enumerated intermittently since the late 1980’s and consistently in recent years since 2019. Through August 20, the 2024 Anchor River coho salmon cumulative count is 580 which is approximately 61% below the historical average count and 26% below the recent 5-year average count for this date. Given the lack of additional information, a precautionary approach is warranted for the remainder of the coho salmon run.

In conjunction with this emergency order, the department has also issued EO-SS-2-55-24 to reduce the coho salmon bag limit in the Kenai River, EO-SS-2-54-24 to reduce the coho salmon bag limit in the Kasilof River, EO-SS-2-58-24 to reduce the coho salmon bag limit in Cook Inlet and Resurrection Bay salt waters, EO-SS-8-59-24 to reduce the Resurrection Bay Terminal Harvest Area, and EO-SS-6-60-24 to reduce the coho salmon bag limit in Prince William Sound salt waters. Please review these emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes.

“Unfortunately, coho salmon seem to be experiencing a downward trend in productivity similar to king salmon,” stated area manager Mike Booz. “Given this trend and uncertainty in coho salmon escapement for most of the Kenai Peninsula, restricting the harvest for the remainder of the season will reduce any potential negative impacts to these stocks.”

For additional information, please contact Homer Area Management Biologist Mike Booz at (907) 235-8191 or the Anchorage Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at (907) 267-2186.

Kenai River Coho Salmon Bag Limit Reduced

(Soldotna) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions for the Kenai River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 24 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for coho salmon is one fish per day; from September 1 – November 30, the bag and possession limit for coho salmon is two fish per day.

Although assessment and reports of coho salmon throughout Cook Inlet indicate weak runs, abundance on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers seem to be comparable to recent years and able to sustain some harvest. To manage conservatively and consistently with other Kenai Peninsula coho salmon fisheries, the department is reducing the limit for coho salmon 16 inches or greater in length to a bag and possession limit of one fish for the remainder of August and two fish from September through November.

“Although we’re seeing poor runs of coho salmon around Cook Inlet, so far the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers look comparable to recent years,” stated Biologist Matt Miller. “We’d like to allow anglers to efficiently harvest coho salmon but reduce the bag limit as we watch how this run shapes up.”

For additional information, please contact John Wagoner (907) 260-2920.

Kasilof River Coho Salmon Bag Limit Reduced; Bait Allowed

(Soldotna) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions for the Kasilof River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 24 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2024. From its mouth upstream to the downstream side of the Sterling Highway Bridge fishing is allowed with one baited, single hook or single-hook, artificial lure. Anglers are reminded that upstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Tustumena lake it remains open to fishing with one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. Additionally, in response to reports of poor coho salmon returns throughout Cook Inlet, the department is issuing an emergency order (EO 2-SS-1-57-24) to reduce the bag and possession limit to one coho salmon in Kenai Peninsula streams, including the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.

Although assessment and reports of coho salmon throughout Cook Inlet indicate weak runs, abundance on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers seem to be comparable to recent years and able to sustain some harvest. To manage conservatively and consistently with other Kenai Peninsula coho salmon fisheries the department is reducing the bag limit for coho salmon 16 inches or greater in length to a bag and possession of one coho salmon.

“Although we’re seeing poor runs of coho salmon around Cook Inlet, so far the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers look comparable to recent years,” stated Biologist Matt Miller. “We’d like to allow anglers to efficiently harvest coho salmon but reduce the bag limit as we watch how this run shapes up.”

For additional information, please contact John Wagoner (907) 260-2920.