Kenai River early king run fishing closed due to weak run
Posted: Monday, June 10, 2002
KENAI (AP) -- The early run of king salmon on the Kenai River is so weak that the state Department of Fish and Game is closing the river to sport fishing for kings.
The closure takes effect Tuesday.
Biologists said that, through Saturday, only 2,200 kings were counted at the Kenai River sonar station. That is well below the 10-year average of 6,400 fish.
The sonar counts indicate there will be only about 6,500 early-run king salmon returning to the Kenai River. The minimum number of fish needed to reach escapement goals is 7,200 fish.
Fishery managers said they will continue to monitor the run.