To protect returning king salmon and ensure future fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is implementing several sport fishing restrictions for king salmon. King salmon escapement monitoring will begin in May on the Anchor, Kenai and Ninilchik rivers. As the runs progress, run strength will be evaluated to determine inseason management actions.
Kasilof River
The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish, which 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 on the back of the fish ahead of the tail. Naturally produced king salmon that are caught may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released. Additionally, only one single hook may be used either baited, unbaited or an artificial lure. Restrictions are in place effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022. The sustainable escapement goal is between 700 and 1,400 naturally produced king salmon as monitored through an ADF&G weir located on Crooked Creek. The Kasilof River late run regulation restriction will be in place 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Kenai River
Only one unbaited, single hook may be used, and retention of king salmon is prohibited while sport fishing on the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake. King salmon of any size may not be retained or possessed, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately. The optimal escapement goal for late-run Kenai River king salmon is between 15,000 and 30,000 king salmon 75 cm mid-eye to tail fork length and longer. King salmon fishery restrictions on the Kenai River drainage catch-and-release is effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Anchor River and Deep Creek
Sport fishing for king salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only and gear is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure during the dates open to king salmon fishing in the Anchor River and Deep Creek. Single hook means a fishhook with only one point. Any king salmon caught, must be released immediately. A person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish. These streams are only open to sport fishing on the dates outlined in the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet (available March 2022). The sport fishing restrictions in the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 21 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Ninilchik River
The bag and possession limits of king salmon and legal gear in the Ninilchik River will be modified. For king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, the bag and possession limits will increase from one fish to two hatchery king salmon. The bag and possession limits for king salmon under 20 inches will be restricted to 10 hatchery king salmon. The use of bait is allowed but gear is restricted to one single-hook. Hatchery king salmon are recognized by a missing adipose fin and healed adipose fin clip scar. All naturally produced or wild king salmon have an adipose fin, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately. The gear restrictions are effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m., Friday July 15, 2022. The bag and possession limits are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2022.
Cook Inlet
Emergency Order 2-KS-7-10-22 reduces the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from five to two fish in the Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point and closes king salmon fishing within one mile of shore in Cook Inlet salt waters north of Bluff Point from 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022.
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