2010 Season
July 24, 2010
Emergency Order
ALASKA DEPARTMENT
OF FISH & GAME
Under Authority of AS 16.05.060
Emergency Order No. 2-RS-1-39-10 Issued at: Soldotna, Friday July 23, 2010
Effective Date: 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2010 Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Friday, December
31, 2010, unless superseded by subsequent
emergency order.
EXPLANATION:
This emergency order increases the bag and possession limit for salmon 16 inches or longer, other than
king salmon and coho salmon, from three per day, three in possession, to six per day, six in possession,
in all portions of the Kenai River open to salmon fishing, except in the Russian River and the Kenai
River “fly-fishing-only waters” at the confluence of the Russian River, including that portion of the
Kenai River from ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public
boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing downstream to the power line. No more than two salmon 16 inches
or longer per day and in possession may be coho salmon. This emergency order is effective at 12:01
a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2010.
REGULATION:
The provisions of 5 AAC 57.120 General provisions for seasons, bag, possession, and size limits, and
methods and means for the Kenai River Drainage Area (4)(A)(iii) are superseded by this emergency
order. Under this emergency order, the following provisions are effective beginning at 12:01 a.m.,
Saturday, July 24, 2010 through 11:59 p.m., Friday, December 31, 2010.
5 AAC 57.120 General provisions for seasons, bag, possession, and size limits, and methods and
means for the Kenai River Drainage Area.
(4) salmon, other than king salmon,
(A) 16 inches or greater in length, as follows:
(iii) in all portions of the Kenai River open to salmon fishing, except in the Russian River
and the Kenai River “fly-fishing-only waters” at the confluence of the Russian River,
including that portion of the Kenai River from ADF&G regulatory markers located
approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing
downstream to the power line, bag and possession limit for sockeye, coho, and chum
salmon in combination is six fish, of which no more than two may be coho salmon; in
addition, the bag and possession limit for pink salmon is six fish.
June 18, 2010
An emergency order issued Friday, June 18, effective Saturday, June 19, allows the use of bait in the Kenai River from a point approximately 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2010. Anglers are reminded that:
Only one single-hook is allowed.
King salmon 46 inches or greater in length but less than 55 inches in length may not be possessed or retained, may not be removed the water, and must be released immediately.
An emergency order issued Wednesday June 16, effective Thursday, June 17, allows retention of naturally-produced king salmon in the Kasilof River only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through Wednesday, June 30, 2010. A naturally-produced king salmon is a king salmon with an adipose fin intact. As a reminder, hatchery king salmon may be retained seven days a week through June 30, 2010.
The Russian River Sanctuary is closed to all fishing. Anglers should review the sportfishing regulations booklet prior to fishing the Russian-Kenai rivers confluence area.
Anglers planning to fish in the Russian River are reminded to review federal regulations for the area. Anglers are also reminded to dispose of the waste from fish you harvest properly; if you choose to process the fish you harvest on site, chop the fish waste into numerous pieces and throw it into fast-moving current.
June 14, 2010
KENAI RIVER KING SALMON HARVEST RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED BEGINNING TUESDAY JUNE 15
The 2010 Kenai River early-run king salmon sport fishery will reopen to the harvest of king salmon less than 46 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length on 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
Through Sunday, June 13, a season total of 4,925 king salmon have passed the department’s sonar station in the lower Kenai River and the department is now projecting a total run of 7,000 to 11,000 early run king salmon. The most recent assessment of run strength indicates the run is sufficient to support a fishery that allows retention of king salmon and to achieve the optimal escapement goal of 5,300 to 9,000 king salmon.
Anglers are advised that the Kenai River king salmon sport fishery will be open as provided for by normal regulations and they should review the 2010 Southcentral Alaska Sportfishing Regulation Summary Booklet. Anglers are reminded that:
Only one unbaited single-hook artificial lure is allowed.
King salmon 46 inches or greater in length but less than 55 inches in length may not be possessed or retained and may not be removed the water and must be released immediately.
The department will continue to monitor the run with all tools available in the Kenai River, including, but not limited to, sonar projects, test fishing, and catch rate monitoring. If the run strength continues to increase, management options may include liberalization of the fishery.
June 11, 2010
KENAI RIVER KING SALMON FISHERY OPENS JUNE 12 TO CATCH-AND-RELEASE, LIMITED HARVEST
The Kenai River will open to catch-and-release fishing for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, but less than 55 inches in length, beginning at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 12, 2010. Harvest will be allowed for king salmon less than 20 inches in length and 55 inches or greater in length.
Sport fishing for king salmon will be allowed as follows:
From June 12, through June 30, 2010, in the Kenai River, from its mouth upstream to the Soldotna Bridge: king salmon greater than 20 inches in length but less than 55 inches in length may not be possessed or retained, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately.
From Thursday, July 1, through Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in the Kenai River from the Soldotna Bridge upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake and in the Moose River from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream to the northernmost edge of the Sterling Highway Bridge, king salmon greater than 20 inches in length but less than 55 inches in length may not be possessed or retained, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately.
Anglers are reminded that only one unbaited single-hook lure is allowed during these time periods.
An estimated 3,475 king salmon have passed the Kenai River sonar station through Thursday, June 10. Present assessment of run strength indicates catch-and-release fishing for king salmon will not cause the number of spawning early-run king salmon to fall below the 5,300 – 9,000 escapement goal. Department staff will continue to closely monitor the early-run king salmon return as it develops and run projections achieve a greater level of precision. If run strength continues to improve, additional restrictions may be rescinded.
June 02, 2010
Emergency Orders and regulation reminders
The Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the Soldotna Bridge is closed to sport fishing for all king salmon from 12:01 am, Saturday, June 5, through 11:59 pm, Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
The Kenai River from the Soldotna Bridge upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake is closed to sport fishing for all king salmon from 12:01 am, Saturday, June 5 through 11:59 pm, Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
The Moose River from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream to the northernmost edge of the Sterling Highway bridge is closed to sport fishing for all king salmon from 12:01 am, Saturday, June 5 through 11:59 pm, Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
Many flowing waters are closed to sport fishing by regulation. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations booklet as the waters they intend to fish may be closed to all fishing. Flowing waters will reopen to fishing at 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 11.
Effective 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 5, retention of naturally-produced king salmon in the Kasilof River will be prohibited through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Naturally-produced king salmon may not be possessed or retained; naturally-produced king salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. A naturally-produced king salmon is a king salmon with an adipose fin intact.
The season for taking smelt (hooligan) by small, handheld gillnets is now closed in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to Cunningham Park.
The upper Kenai and Russian rivers (see pages 50 - 51 of the 2010 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary booklet), are scheduled by regulation to remain closed until 12:01 a.m., Thursday, June 11.
This Northern Kenai Peninsula areawide sport fishing report will be updated weekly and can also be heard by calling 262-2737.
2009 Season
Anchor River and Adjacent Salt Waters Closed to Sport Fishing Beginning June 6
JUNE 3, 2009
HOMER, Alaska -- The Anchor River will be closed to sport fishing beginning on Saturday, June 6 at 12:01 a.m. through Tuesday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m. to protect king salmon returning to the river. In addition, the closed area in the adjacent salt waters will increase to two miles north of the Anchor River and two miles south of Anchor River. The closed salt water area also extends one mile out from the shore.
King salmon escapement to the Anchor River through June 2, 2009, was 219, well below the average escapement count for this date. From 2003 to 2008 an average of 2,560 king salmon normally pass a weir located in the river by this date. Based on current run projections, between 600 and 1,200 fish may reach the spawning grounds in the Anchor River. This is considerably below the sustainable escapement threshold of 5,000. It's possible this run projection could change as the run continues to develop but as this time all remaining returning fish will likely be required for spawning escapement.
For more information, contact the ADF&G Soldotna Area Office at (907) 262-9368.
