Kenai River Sockeye Bag Limit Is One Fish

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

(Soldotna) – To protect returning sockeye salmon and increase fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restriction on the Kenai River effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 30 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018, from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake. The bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon 16 inches or longer is reduced from three per day and six in possession, to one per day, two in possession. The bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon less than 16 inches remains at 10 per day, 10 in possession. Above Skilak Lake, where anglers are primarily targeting Russian River sockeye salmon, the limits remains at three per day, six in possession.

On July 24, 2018, ADF&G reevaluated the Kenai River sockeye salmon run and projected the run will be less than 2.3 million fish. Based on the current passage estimate of sockeye salmon in the Kenai River of 367,895 fish through July 25, the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700,000 to 1.2 million Kenai River late-run sockeye salmon may not be met without a reduction in harvest of this stock. Therefore, it is warranted to decrease the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Kenai River sport fishery. Restrictions to the commercial and personal use fisheries are also being implemented to improve sockeye salmon passage to the Kenai River.

“Sockeye salmon passage by the sonar at river mile 19 have been behind this season, but other indicators suggested perhaps a late run timing,” stated Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller. “An assessment of the data earlier this week indicated it may just be a weak run. Without further restrictions to harvest, the goal for Kenai River sockeye salmon is not expected to be achieved. ADF&G staff understand the hardship this has on anglers, as this restriction also affects us.”

ADF&G staff will be closely monitoring this fishery as the season progresses and additional actions may be taken if necessary.

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

Kenai River Personal Use Dip Net Fishery to Close Monday

(Soldotna) – To protect returning sockeye salmon and increase fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Kenai River Personal Use Dipnet Fishery effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2018.

On July 24, 2018, ADF&G reevaluated the Kenai River sockeye salmon run and projected the run will be less than 2.3 million fish. Based on the current passage estimate of sockeye salmon in the Kenai River of 367,895 fish through July 25, the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700,000 to 1.2 million Kenai River late-run sockeye salmon may not be met without a reduction in harvest of this stock. Therefore, it is warranted to close the Kenai River personal use fishery prior to the season end date of July 31. Restrictions to the commercial and sport fisheries are also being implemented to improve sockeye salmon passage to the Kenai River.

“Sockeye salmon passage by the sonar at river mile 19 have been behind this season, but other indicators suggested perhaps a late run timing,” stated Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller. “An assessment of the data earlier this week indicated it may just be a weak run. Without further restrictions to sockeye salmon harvest, the goal for Kenai River sockeye salmon is not expected to be achieved.”

Dipnetters are reminded they still dipnetting opportunities available to catch their 2018 Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use annual household salmon limit. The Fish Creek Personal Use Dipnet Fishery opened by emergency order to dipnetting only between 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. through July 31, 2018, and the Kasilof River Personal Use Dipnet Fishery is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week through August 7. Dipnetters have reported success at both of these fisheries in recent days. No retention of king salmon is allowed at either dipnet fishery.

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