No Bait And Hatchery Fish Only For Kasilof River Early-Run Kings

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

Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Use of Bait Prohibited and Remains Hatchery King Salmon Only

(Soldotna) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restriction for early-run king salmon in the Kasilof River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 8 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022. The use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Single-hook means a fishhook with only one point.

The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish. Hatchery-produced king salmon are recognizable by a healed adipose fin-clip scar. Naturally-produced king salmon of any size may not be possessed or retained and are distinguishable by an intact adipose fin, a small fleshy fin on the back of the fish just ahead of the tail. Naturally-produced king salmon that are caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

ADF&G manages the Kasilof River early-run king salmon sport fishery to achieve a sustainable escapement goal of 700 – 1,400 naturally-produced king salmon as monitored through an ADF&G weir located on Crooked Creek. Crooked Creek king salmon also are used to supplement king salmon stocking programs across Southcentral Alaska.

“To ensure an adequate escapement and collection of broodstock of naturally-produced king salmon in 2022, ADF&G has determined restrictions to the early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kasilof River are needed to achieve these goals,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka.

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