Federal Subsistence Rod and Reel Fishery for Early-Run Kenai River Chinook Salmon is Closed

The State of Alaska’s 5 AAC 57.160 Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-run King Salmon Management Plan identifies an optimal escapement goal of 3,900 to 6,600 Chinook Salmon 75 cm mid eye to tail fork length and longer. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Department) estimates only 916 large Chinook Salmon have passed their sonar site at river mile 13.7 on the Kenai River through June 11 and inseason escapement projections range from approximately 1,700 large fish with average run timing to 2,200 large fish on a three day late run timing. The Department previously closed the sport fishery for Chinook Salmon in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake through June 30th and through July 31st for the Kenai River upstream from the Department’s Slikok Creek regulatory marker.

Collectively, the State and Federal fishery management actions will provide the opportunity for early-run Chinook Salmon in the Kenai River to reach their spawning grounds.

For additional information, contact Federal in-season Manager Jeffry Anderson at (907) 260- 0132. Additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the Web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/ or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska

Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing fws-fsb-subsistence-request@lists.fws.gov.

View Full News Release

-FSB-