(Soldotna) – Kenai River anglers are advised that, to continue protection of late-run king salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the ADF&G marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake, effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, August 1 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in these waters. “Single-hook” means a fishhook with only one point.

Fishing for king salmon in the Kenai River is currently closed by emergency order. Anglers are reminded that king salmon fishing closes by regulation August 1, including catch-and-release fishing. Incidentally caught king salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Anglers should exercise good angling practices by avoiding fishing for coho salmon in areas of the river where king salmon are concentrated and to cut leaders or lines to avoid stressing incidentally hooked king salmon.

Through July 26, 2023, approximately 6,250 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar. Inseason projections estimate an escapement would not achieve the OEG. Therefore, these measures are warranted to continue to conserve Kenai River king salmon needed for escapement.

“Projections for late-run Kenai River king salmon are not likely to meet the optimal escapement goal and it is necessary to restrict the use of bait and multiple hooks to reduce mortality of incidentally caught king salmon that are still entering the river and those that have already reached spawning grounds. Late-run king salmon spawn throughout the lower and middle river” stated Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates.

For additional information, please contact Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at (907) 262-9368.

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