There are two upcoming youth-only king salmon fisheries on the lower Kenai Peninsula for anglers 15 years and younger. The first opportunity will be on Saturday, June 1 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (NDFL) on the Homer Spit. The second will be Wednesday, June 5 on the Ninilchik River. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) staff will be present at the NDFL from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on June 1 with loaner gear and to assist youth anglers with fishing for king salmon.
“Our youth only fisheries at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit and then the Ninilchik River provide a great opportunity for kids to fish for king salmon even during this period of poor productivity of king salmon because they sort of [the] locations that we have stocked with hatchery kings, the youth only fishing opportunities or a chance for kids to get to fish without competing with adults to pretty yeah, pretty, pretty great day at both locations chance for, you know, just fishing to be all about the kids,” said Area Management Biologist Mike Booz.
ADF&G staff will also be present at the Ninilchik River youth-only fishery from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 5. At the Ninilchik River, staff will be located in the parking lot immediately north of the Ninilchik River Sterling Highway bridge. Loaner fishing rods will be available to check out and use on a first-come basis at both events.
At the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, the youth-only fishery will occur all day on June 1 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. in the posted youth-only sport fishing area across from the entrance to the lagoon. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish in this area but the remainder of the lagoon will remain open to all anglers. All other sport fishing regulations remain in effect for the fishing lagoon and are found on page 68 of the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet. The bag and possession limits are two king salmon of any size. Anglers must record the harvest of king salmon 20 inches or greater on their sport fishing license, mobile app, or on a harvest record card. King salmon caught in this youth-only fishery are part of the Cook Inlet king salmon annual limit.
At the Ninilchik River, the youth-only fishery will occur on June 5 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. from the mouth, including the harbor, upstream 2 miles to markers approximately 300 yards upstream of the Garrison Ridge road bridge. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish during this opening but may assist youth anglers. The regulations for this fishery are found on page 66 of the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet. The bag and possession limits are two hatchery king salmon of any size. Hatchery king salmon are identified by the missing adipose fin. All wild king salmon must be released unharmed and may not be removed from the water. Anglers must record the harvest of king salmon 20 inches or greater on their sport fishing license, mobile app, or on a harvest record card. King salmon caught in this youth-only fishery are part of the Cook Inlet king salmon annual limit.
