Anglers on the Kasilof River can now only catch hatchery-produced kings. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is restricting fishing on the river through the rest of the month, effective Thursday.
Fishermen are allowed two-hatchery produced kings of 20 inches or more under the new regulations. Hatchery salmon have healed scars on the tops of their backs where their fins were removed, right in front of their tails.
Naturally-produced kings, on the other hand, have those fins intact. Anglers are directed not to retain or possess naturally-produced kings.
Salmon in the Kasilof are monitored through a weir in Crooked Creek.
Kenai River
The department is placing restrictions on early-run king fishing in the Kenai River, as well. Kings can be caught and released only, not retained, starting Thursday, through July 31.
Resurrection River
Separately, the department is opening upregulations in Resurrection Bay and Resurrection River, where anglers can now catch 12 sockeye per day. The department says that’s because the sustainable escapement goal at Bear Lake has been met, as measured by the Bear Creek weir.
Those regulations are in place between June 17 and July 31.
