Weekly Blog
2024 Kenai Fishing Regulations
- Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Beginning 5/1 through 6/1. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is 2 hatchery-produced fish per day. One single-hook (with or without artificial lure) may be used either baited, or unbaited,. Native king salmon of any size may not be possessed or retained. July second run regulations are not restricted as of today.
- In Cook Inlet…
- South of Bluff Point - bag and possession limit of one king salmon May 1 - August 15
- North of Bluff Pt closed to sport fishing for king salmon May 1 - August 15
- Halibut fishing is allowed every day except Tuesday.
- Kenai River late-run king salmon were designated a Stock of Concern and a Stock of Concern Management Plan was created to help the stock recover. Elements of the plan affecting sport fisheries are:
- The department shall manage the late run of Kenai River king salmon to achieve a recovery goal of 14,250 - 30,000 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer.
- If the recovery goal is projected to be achieved, the commissioner may allow catch-and-release of king salmon in the sport fishery or allow retention of king salmon 34 inches or greater in length
- If the recovery goal is projected to not be achieved, the Kenai River is closed to sport fishing for king salmon; a king salmon that is caught must be released immediately; a person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fis
- from July 1 through August 15, a person may not use more than one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Kenai River downstream from the outlet of Skilak Lake;
- from June 20 through August 15, from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to Skilak Lake the bag limit for sockeye salmon is six per day, 12 in possession
- The department shall manage the late run of Kenai River king salmon to achieve a recovery goal of 14,250 - 30,000 king salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer.
