A fisher holds a reel on the Kenai River near Soldotna on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

A fisher holds a reel on the Kenai River near Soldotna on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Restrictions on sport fishing announced

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced summer sport fishing regulations Wednesday

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced summer sport fishing regulations Wednesday, limiting king salmon fishing in the Kasilof, Kenai, Ninilchik and Anchor Rivers, as well as Cook Inlet salt waters.

Kasilof River

On the Kasilof, from 12:01 a.m. on May 1 through 11:59 p.m. on June 30, the bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish, which are recognizable by a healed adipose fin-clip scar. Additionally, only one single-hook lure may be used — baited, unbaited or with an artificial lure. Naturally produced kings must be released.

For the late run — from 12:01 a.m. on July 1 through 11:59 p.m. on July 31 — the bag and possession limit for kings 20 inches or longer is one. The use of bait is prohibited during the late run, and naturally produced kings must be released.

Kenai River

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Effective 12:01 a.m. July 1 through July 31 on the Kenai, the king salmon fishery is restricted to catch and release only from the river mouth upstream to the ADF&G regulatory marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake. Only one unbaited single-hook lure may be used.

Cook Inlet

From 12:01 a.m. May 1 through 11:49 a.m. July 31, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or longer will be reduced from five to two fish in the Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point, and king fishing is closed within one mile of shore in the area.

Anchor River

In Anchor River and Deep Creek from 12:01 a.m. on May 21 through 11:59 p.m. on June 22, king sport fishing is restricted to catch and release only. Anglers may use only one unbaited single-hook artificial lure.

Ninilchik River

Effective 12:01 a.m. on May 28 through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, bag and possession limits for king salmon on the Ninilchik River 20 inches or greater will increase from one to two hatchery kings. The bag and possession limits for kings under 20 inches will be restricted to 10 hatchery salmon.

In addition, bait is allowed but gear is restricted to one single-hook lure, effective 12:01 a.m. May 28 through 11:59 p.m. July 15.

This story was updated to accurately reflect gear restrictions in the Kasilof River.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Kenai Central High School’s Kyle Foster speaks during the 35th Annual Caring for the Kenai Oral Presentations at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward freshman wins 35th Caring for the Kenai with thermal asphalt proposal

Twelve finalists were chosen in this year’s competition.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly kills resolution asking for option to cap property assessment increases

Alaska municipalities are required by state statute to assess all properties at their full and true value.

City of Kenai Public Works Director Scott Curtain; City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel; Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche; Sen. Lisa Murkowski; Col. Jeffrey Palazzini; Elaina Spraker; Adam Trombley; and Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank cut the ribbon to celebrate the start of work on the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai bluff stabilization info meeting rescheduled for April 30

Originally, the event was scheduled for the same time as the Caring for the Kenai final presentations.

Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peninsula organizations awarded mental health trust grants

Three organizations, in Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna, recently received funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on Thursday, April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council hears call to lessen chicken restrictions

The Soldotna City Council this month heard from people calling for a… Continue reading

Mount Spurr, raised to Advisory on the Volcano Alert Level, can be seen in yellow northwest of the Kenai Peninsula. (Map courtesy Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Department of the Interior)
Spurr activity ‘declined slightly’

If an eruption were to occur, there would be noticeable indicators that may provide days to weeks of additional warning.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivers a borough update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Micciche pushes mill rate decrease, presses state to boost education funding

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivered an update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
SPITwSPOTS employees speak to an attendee of the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair in Kenai on Wednesday.
Job fair gathers together employers, job seekers

“That face-to-face has kind of been missing for a lot of people.”

Most Read