This week’s sport fishing report is dominated by news of new catch-and-release only regulations for king salmon on the very lowest portions of the Kenai River.
The regulations went into effect on Wednesday morning in that section from the Kenai River mouth to the regulatory marker approximately 300 yards downriver of Slikok Creek.
To avoid incidental catch, all sportsfishing in this area is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure. King salmon may not be retained or possessed and may not be removed from the water, no matter the temptation to take a photograph with it. The emergency order requires the fish be released immediately.
The order remains in effect until the end of July.
Meanwhile, king salmon fishing from the Slikok Creek markers upstream to Skilak Lake remains closed.
Cook Inlet management coordinator Matt Miller said in the order that as of July 14th only about 2,770 kings 29.53-inches or longer have passed the river mile 13.7 sonar. Managers believe that without further restrictions to harvest the late run king salmon escapement will not be met.
Meanwhile on the Kasilof River, the retention of kings below the Sterling Highway bridge is prohibited, and all anglers must us the same unbaited, single-hook artificial lure.
Fish and Game’s weekly Kenai report indicates the Kenai River dipnet fishery, which opened on the 10th, has seen fair and improving catches.
