The State Department of Fish and Game released the Northern Kenai fishing report on Tuesday, June 17. Although the Kenai River is now open for fishing there are other locations for successful fishing.
Freshwater fishing
The Russian River weir was installed on June 2, and the escapement count through June 16 is 2,408 sockeye. The Russian River, not including the sanctuary, is open for fishing, however, the harvest is slow. It is expected that the harvest will increase as more sockeye make it into the system.
The Kasilof River is open for hatchery king salmon. Anglers are having success as the run develops. Fishers are required to release wild king salmon, which can be recognized an intact adipose fin. The wild king salmon, regardless of their size, must be released before removing them from the water. The sockeye fishing has been good the last few days with roughly 10,000 entering the river each day.
Crooked Creek weir is now in place and the king smolt were released on June 11. The hatchery crew is now switched over to counting and collecting adult king salmon, which should be arriving to the weir very soon.
Kenai River sonar at mile 14 is counting daily. King salmon passage has been steady over the last couple of days, and the tracking is better than it has been for the past couple of years. The State Department of Fish and Game will be monitoring the counts closely the season goes on. Daily counts can be found on their website.
Saltwater fishing
Anglers are continuing to have success catching halibut and cod at local beaches.
Local lakes
With recent stockings, local fishing on stocked lakes has been good. Two of the better lakes with decent fishing and good shore access Sport Lake in Soldotna and Johnson Lake in Kasilof.
Emergency Orders
Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements.
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-1-25 prohibits the use of bait on the Kasilof River effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15. Only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure or fly may be used. This emergency order also prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 31.
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-2-25 closes the Kenai River to fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 30.
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-3-25 closes the Kenai River to fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 20, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15.
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-4-25 closes the first three days of the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River. The fishery will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, from Wednesday, June 18 through 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 24.
Fishing licenses
Purchasing and displaying a fishing license and king stamp, recording annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), accessing sport fishing regulations and locations can be done on mobile devices. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. Purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
Jonas Oyoumick is interning with the Peninsula Clarion through the Kenaitze Indian Tribe Daggeyi internship program.
