Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Limits Increased

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

Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Bag Limits Increased

(Soldotna) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the sport fishing bag and possession limits for salmon, 16 inches or longer, except for king, pink, chum, and coho salmon, in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake to six per day and twelve in possession effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 5 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021. This includes the flowing waters of the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake.

The Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan allows ADF&G to increase bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon when the late-run of Kenai River sockeye salmon exceeds 2.3 million salmon. As of August 3, 2021, ADF&G projects the Kenai River sockeye salmon late-run exceeds 2.3 million fish and anticipates the escapement goal (750,000 – 1,300,000 sockeye salmon) will be achieved. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king, pink, chum, and coho salmon, to six per day and twelve in possession, of which no more than two per day and in possession may be coho salmon, and three per day and six in possession may be chum salmon.

“In order to provide anglers more opportunity to harvest late-run sockeye the department has increased the bag limit for the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka.

Anglers are reminded to review the Kenai River riverbank closures for habitat protection regulations described on pages 55-57, as well as, the fly-fishing only waters downstream of Skilak Lake described on pages 52-53 of the 2021 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. In addition, please respect riverbank restoration projects and private property in the Kenai River corridor.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka at (907) 262-9368.

China Poot Personal Use Sockeye Salmon Fishery Extended 

(Homer) – The season for the China Poot Creek dip net fishery will be extended through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 15, 2021.

On August 3, 2021, a stream survey was conducted in the China Poot area open to personal use fishing and approximately 300 sockeye salmon were counted. Most sockeye salmon were still in bright, silver condition and very few pink salmon were observed in the creek. In order to maximize harvest opportunity of stocked sockeye salmon, it is justified to extend the season through August 15.

“This extension will allow for the continued harvest of stocked sockeye salmon that have escaped harvest in the commercial fishery area and have reached China Poot Creek,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson. “Dipnetters are reminded to immediately release species other than sockeye salmon.”

All other regulations remain in effect. All king, pink, chum, and coho salmon caught must be released immediately. All sockeye salmon retained must have both lobes of the tail clipped before concealing the sockeye salmon from plain view or before transporting the salmon from shore.

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