2016 saw the return of catch and release fishing during the early king salmon run. 2017 brings a return to form and starts under general regulations for the Kenai River.
Brian Marston, Fish & Game’s local Sports-fishing Management Biologist…
Marston: “The fishing has been really better than average, partly because of water conditions. The low clear water really helps people land and hook king salmon. Though I would say the fishing is good or better than average, it’s just the fish are larger than the maximum size limit.”
Kenai River early-run king salmon projections are for 6,500 large (greater than 34 inches) king salmon, projections easily falling into the optimal escapement goal of 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon.
Marston: “The early run king salmon fishery opened to one fish a day harvest less than 36 inches. So there’s a harvest fishery going, it’s not just a catch and release fishery. The way it works in the early run, the way it turns out really, most of the fish that come in early are large so that’s why a lot of people are releasing fish now. Their just catching them too big.”
