Kenai Peninsula To Host Two Youth-Only King Salmon Fishing Opportunities In Early June

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Youth-Only King Salmon Fisheries on the Lower Kenai Peninsula

(Homer) – There are two upcoming youth-only king salmon fisheries on the lower Kenai Peninsula for anglers aged 15 years and younger. The first opportunity will be on Wednesday, June 4 on the Ninilchik River. The second will be Saturday, June 7 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (NDFL) on the Homer Spit. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) staff will be present to assist youth anglers in the parking lot immediately north of the Ninilchik River Sterling Highway bridge from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ninilchik River youth-only fishery on June 4. ADF&G staff will also be present at the NDFL from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 7. Loaner fishing rods will be available to check out and use on a first-come basis at both events.

At the Ninilchik River, the youth-only fishery will occur on June 4 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. from the mouth, including the harbor, upstream 2 miles to markers approximately 300 yards upstream of the Garrison Ridge Road bridge. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish during this opening but may assist youth anglers. Gear is restricted to one single-hook artificial lure. The bag and possession limits are two hatchery king salmon of any size. Hatchery king salmon are identified by the missing adipose fin. All wild king salmon and steelhead must be released unharmed and may not be removed from the water.

At the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, the youth-only fishery will occur all day on June 7 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. in the posted youth-only sport fishing area across from the entrance to the lagoon. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish in this area but the remainder of the lagoon will remain open to all anglers. All other sport fishing regulations remain in effect for the fishing lagoon and are found on page 68 of the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet. The bag and possession limits are two king salmon of any size.

In both of these youth-only fisheries, anglers must record their harvest of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length on their mobile app or on a harvest record card. Additionally, king salmon harvested in these fisheries are part of the Cook Inlet king salmon annual limit.

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