The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), in favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, is closing the early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage downstream of the outlet of Skilak Lake effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2023.
Fishing for king salmon of any size, including catch-and-release, is closed in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake extending from May 1 through June 30. King salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
In addition, on March 2, 2023, the Division of Sport Fish issued Emergency Order 2-KS-1-11-23 closing the Kenai River to Fishing for king salmon, and prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks from its mouth upstream to the ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from July 1 through July 31, 2023.
“In an effort to protect Kenai River early-run king salmon and in compliance with the regulatory management plan, the early-run king salmon fishery is closed to sport fishing in an effort to meet the early-run escapement goal,” stated Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates.
The 2023 preseason forecast for Kenai River early-run king salmon is 2,914 large fish (fish greater than 34 inches in length). The total run forecast is less than the optimum escapement goal range of 3,900-6,600 fish. If realized, the 2023 run would rank as the 5th lowest run in 38 years.
