The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing a bag limit reduction for Coho Salmon on the Kenai River, as well as updated gear/bait restrictions, effective Thursday, Sep. 19.
According to the announcement, released on Tuesday, “In those waters of the Kenai River open to fishing for coho salmon, the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, is one fish per day.”
The bag limit for coho salmon less than 16 inches in length remains at 10 per day, 10 in possession.
Additionally, the emergency order prohibits the use of bait and restricts gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure from the Kenai River’s mouth upstream to the ADF&G regulatory marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake.
“Anglers are reminded fishing for Kenai River coho salmon is allowed from its mouth upstream to Bing’s Landing through November 30,” the announcement said. “Coho salmon season closes upstream of Bing’s Landing to the outlet of Kenai Lake after October 31.”
In the Russian River, fishing for coho salmon is allowed through September 30.
Assessments and reports of coho salmon throughout Cook Inlet indicate weak runs. Restrictions and closures have already been issued for coho salmon fisheries in Northern Cook Inlet, Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula streams, including Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, and Lower Cook Inlet systems.
The department said it has continued to assess coho salmon runs and, faced with continued weak performance, determined that additional restrictions were necessary.
“Emergency Order 2-SS-1-57-24 issued Wednesday, August 21, 2024, prohibited bait and reduced the bag limit to one coho salmon for Kenai Peninsula streams except the Kenai River.” stated Biologist John Wagoner. “This action, along with the Kasilof River going to no bait by regulation beginning September 16, takes that conservative approach of prohibiting bait and a bag limit of one and makes it consistent for all the Kenai Peninsula coho salmon fisheries.”
