The Alaska Department of Fishi and Game closes King Salmon sport fishing in Cook Inlet saltwaters, including in the Kenai and the Kasilof Rivers. The three closures were announced on Saturday. The closures are being done to protect returning late-run king salmon and ensure future sport fishing opportunities.
The closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release, in all Cook Inlet saltwaters north of the latitude of Bluff Point. The regulatory change is effective through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31. The area was closed to king salmon fishing from June 15 through July 15.
For the Kenai River, the king salmon fishery is closed, including catch-and-release, throughout the Kenai River drainage and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake. Anglers are also reminded that bait/scent and multiple hooks are prohibited on the entire Kenai River. This change is also in effect through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31.
For the Kasilof River, the king salmon fishery is closed, including catch-and-release, is closed on the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Also, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used from the river mouth to the outlet of Tustumena Lake. Like the Kenai River, bait/scent and multiple hooks are prohibited downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge.
Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka states that king salmon runs across the Kenai Peninsula are significantly below preseason expectations.
Through July 15, 2022, approximately 2,352 king salmon, 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer, have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar. Inseason projections estimate an escapement of approximately 11,500 large king salmon under the current management strategy.
Click here to view all three emergency closures.