Anglers are reminded that the Kenai River will be closed to all king salmon fishing from Jun. 20 through Aug. 15, under an emergency order issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) earlier this year.
The Emergency Order, issued Feb. 11, prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River — including catch-and-release — from the river’s mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. The closure applies to both large and small king salmon. King salmon hooked while fishing for other species must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water.
The order also restricts fishing gear: only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the affected river section during the closure period.
The decision stems from another year of poor preseason forecasts. ADF&G estimates just 8,742 large late-run king salmon will return to the Kenai River in 2025 — well below the required recovery escapement goal of 14,250 to 30,000 fish.
ADF&G called the late-run king salmon a “stock of concern” and said the management plan “directs the department to manage to achieve the recovery escapement goal of late-run king salmon into the Kenai River system.”
The department further explains that “the Kenai River king salmon and other king salmon stocks throughout Cook Inlet are experiencing a period of low productivity and below average run strength. … This forecast would be the second-lowest run in the past five years and rank as the second-lowest on record.”
According to the order, closing the late-run king salmon sport fishery preseason was warranted until data from inseason assessment projects indicate that fishing opportunity can be afforded without jeopardizing the achievement of the recovery escapement goal.
The 2025 run projection is not only below the 20-year average of 25,960 large fish but also lower than the recent five-year average of 12,100.
The department notes there is an 80% chance the total run will fall between 4,526 and 16,883 fish — a range that continues to reflect troubling uncertainty.
For full emergency order details and the latest fishing updates, visit adfg.alaska.gov or contact the ADF&G office in Soldotna at (907) 262-9368.