The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is expanding fishing opportunities on the Kasilof River as this year’s sockeye salmon run continues to surge past expectations.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, the daily and possession limits for sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River will increase to six fish per day and 12 in possession. The increase applies to all waters of the river open to salmon fishing and remains in effect through December 31.
The department has also expanded the personal use dipnetting area for both shore and boat anglers. Shore dipnetting will now be allowed from ADF&G markers on the Cook Inlet beaches upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Dipnetting from a boat will be permitted from the same beach markers upstream to river mile 4. The expanded dipnetting area is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week through August 7. The fishery is open to Alaska residents only.
As of June 23, more than 110,000 sockeye salmon had passed the Kasilof River sonar site. Biologists project the run will exceed the river’s biological escapement goal of 140,000 to 320,000 sockeye.
“Current sockeye salmon passage into the Kasilof River is looking very strong and is on track to exceed the biological escapement goal,” said Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey. “To provide more opportunity to Alaska residents, the personal use dipnetting area for boat and shore anglers is being expanded.”
ADF&G reminds anglers that king salmon, Dolly Varden, and rainbow or steelhead trout may not be kept and must be released immediately if caught during dipnetting. King salmon must not be removed from the water at any time.
For more information, residents can contact Area Management Biologist Phill Stacey at (907) 260-2920.