The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish released a Northern Kenai fishing report late last week, advising anglers on fishing conditions in the area and of new emergency orders they must abide by.

According to the report, Kasilof River steelhead fishing is beginning and expected to improve over the next few weeks. All rainbow steelhead trout caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

In the saltwater, the ADF&G reported that surf fishing for halibut off Cook Inlet south beaches and along the Kenai River have been slow.

In addition, local lakes in the area are expected to be free of ice soon. The report states that lake fishing “should be good to excellent” when it clears. When it gets even warmer, the ADF&G predicts fishing for trout, arctic char, arctic grayling and land-locked salmon will improve. The department recommends fishing with dry or wet flies, such as an egg-sucking leech, bead head nymph, or mosquito pattern, small spoons and spinners size zero or two, or small bait under a bobber.

Emergency orders should also be observed.

Order 2-KS-1-09-22 restricts the Kenai River drainage king salmon fishery to catch and release only effective 12:01 a.m. July 1 to 11:59 p.m. July 31. Only one unbaited single-hook may be used, and retention of kings is prohibited while sport fishing on the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to the department’s regulatory marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake.

Order 2-KS-1-08-22 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon while sport fishing in the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge effective from 12:01 a.m. July 1 through 11:59 p.m. July 31. Only one unbaited single-hook artificial lure may be used when sport fishing in these waters.

Order 2-KS-1-07-22 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon and only one single-hook may be used either baited, unbaited, or on an artificial lure in the Kasilof River effective from 12:01 a.m. May 1 through 11:59 p.m. June 30. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish.

Order 2-NP-1-04-22 prohibits the retention of any species of fish in East Mackey, West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes.

Order 2-DV-1-03-22 establishes a bag and possession limit of arctic char/dolly varden in Stormy Lake of one fish, less than 16 inches in length for the 2022 season.

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