The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is implementing a sport fishing regulation restriction for early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage downstream of the outlet of Skilak Lake effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022. This is being done to protect returning king salmon and ensure future fishing opportunities.
From June 1 through June 30, king salmon of any size may not be retained in the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. The restriction also will continue through the month of July, in the waters from an ADF&G marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. Only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the waters restricted to catch-and-release. King salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka said:
“In an effort to protect our king salmon fishery resources and be consistent with the management plan, the early-run king salmon fishery on the Kenai River is restricted to catch-and-release fishing only. The 2022 run is off to a very slow start with the cumulative sonar estimate of 72 large king salmon through May 29 being the lowest estimate for this date in the large king salmon dataset.”
ADF&G staff will be assessing the fishery inseason and if data assessment projects indicate further action is warranted, additional inseason actions could be taken.
The 2022 Kenai River King Salmon Early-Run Forecast can be found online.
