12-10-2013, 12:10 PM
The sport fishing bag and possession limit for salmon 16 inches or longer, except for king, pink and coho salmon, in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake was increased to six per day, twelve in possession, beginning Saturday, July 20. This includes the flowing waters of the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake.
The Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan allows the department to increase bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon when the late-run of Kenai River sockeye salmon exceeds 2.3 million salmon. As of July 19, 2013, the department projected the Kenai River sockeye salmon late-run exceeds 2.3 million fish and anticipates the optimal escapement goal (700,000 - 1,400,000 sockeye salmon) will be achieved. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king, pink and coho salmon, to six per day and twelve in possession, of which no more than two may be coho salmon.
Anglers should be advised that this action to liberalize bag and possession limits does not mean that fishing success will dramatically increase. Fish passage into the Kenai River fluctuates on a daily basis making some day's better fishing than others.
Anglers are reminded to review the Kenai River riverbank closures for habitat protection regulations described on pages 52 and 53 of the 2013 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. In addition, please respect riverbank restoration projects and private property in the Kenai River corridor.
The Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan allows the department to increase bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon when the late-run of Kenai River sockeye salmon exceeds 2.3 million salmon. As of July 19, 2013, the department projected the Kenai River sockeye salmon late-run exceeds 2.3 million fish and anticipates the optimal escapement goal (700,000 - 1,400,000 sockeye salmon) will be achieved. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king, pink and coho salmon, to six per day and twelve in possession, of which no more than two may be coho salmon.
Anglers should be advised that this action to liberalize bag and possession limits does not mean that fishing success will dramatically increase. Fish passage into the Kenai River fluctuates on a daily basis making some day's better fishing than others.
Anglers are reminded to review the Kenai River riverbank closures for habitat protection regulations described on pages 52 and 53 of the 2013 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. In addition, please respect riverbank restoration projects and private property in the Kenai River corridor.