A Northern Kenai Fishing Report published by the State Department of Fish and Game on Wednesday, the first so far this year, says fishers are having success catching hatchery king salmon on the Kasilof River, halibut and cod at local beaches, and stocked fish at local lakes.

Freshwater Fishing

Kenai Lake, and parts of the Kenai River and its tributaries are closed to fishing until June 11 to protect spawning rainbow trout. The closure is effective from Kenai Lake downstream to the Lower Killey River, the report says.

Kasilof River is open to fishing for hatchery king salmon, identifiable by a missing adipose fin. Fishers “are beginning to have success as the run develops,” according to the report. Wild king salmon, with an intact adipose fin, may not be retained and must be immediately released.

The weir at Crooked Creek is in place, though no adult kings have been seen yet — “it is still early.” King smolt will be stocked “in the coming weeks,” per the report.

Kings have begun to be counted at the Kenai River sonar near river Mile 14. Daily counts available from the department say that 54 large king salmon have been counted in the early run so far, with the first kings counted on Sunday.

The Russian River weir “is set to be installed next week,” the report says.

Saltwater Fishing

The saltwater personal use fishing season for herring and hooligan has begun to taper off, the report said, ahead of its close this weekend.

Fishers have been successful shore fishing for both halibut and cod at local beaches, the report says.

Local Lakes

John Hedberg, Longmere and Sport lakes have all recently been stocked and fishing “has been good.”

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-18-24 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon and reduces the gear to one single hook, artificial lure or fly, with the allowance of bait, on the Kasilof River.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-08-24 closes the Kenai River to sport fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-09-24 closes the Kenai River to fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.

The 2024 sport fishing license can be purchased through the Alaska Department of Fish and game mobile app, or at their website, adfg.alaska.gov.