The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
The Kenai River Early-Run King Salmon Sport Fishery is closed
(Soldotna) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring future sport fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage from its mouth upstream to Skilak Lake outlet effective 12:01 am Wednesday, May 1 through 11:59 pm Sunday, June 30, 2024. Fishing for king salmon of any size, including catch-and-release, is prohibited. King salmon caught while fishing for other species cannot be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As a reminder, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used.
The 2024 preseason forecast for Kenai River early-run king salmon is 2,630 large fish (fish larger than 34 inches in length). The total run estimate is below the optimal escapement goal range of 3,900 – 6,600 fish. If realized, the 2024 run would be one of the toughest in 38 years.
“In an effort to protect the Kenai River early-run king salmon and remain in compliance with the management plan, the early-run king salmon fishery is closed to sport fishing,” said Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey.
For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at
(907) 260-2920, or (907) 267-2324.
The Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Sport Fishery is closed
(soldier) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon, ensuring future sport fishing opportunities, and compliance with the newly adopted. Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the late-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage from its mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 1 through 11: 59 pm Thursday, August 15, 2024. Fishing for king salmon of any size, including catch-and-release, is prohibited. King salmon caught while fishing for other species cannot be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As a reminder, only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used.
The 2024 preseason forecast for Kenai River late-run king salmon is 13,639 large fish (fish larger than 34 inches in length). The total run estimate is below the optimal escapement goal range of 15,000 – 30,000 fish. The 2024 forecast is below the 20-year average run of about 22,270 fish and slightly higher than the recent 5-year (2019–2023) average run total of about 12,840 large fish. If realized, this forecast would be the 3rd highest run in the past five years but rank as the 7th lowest in the past 38 years.
“In an effort to protect Kenai River late-run king salmon and remain in compliance with the management plan, the late-run king salmon fishery is closed to sport fishing,” said Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey.
For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at
(907) 260-2920, or (907) 267-2324.
