After several years of falling short of minimum escapement objectives, the 2025 late run of Kenai River king salmon narrowly met the recovery threshold of 14,250 large kings (greater than 34 inches). By the final day of counting, the cumulative sonar estimate stood at 15,015 fish. This benchmark was established under the Kenai River Late …
In a year that saw record sockeye returns to the Kenai River, the Kasilof River delivered an equally impressive showing. By August 9, a total of 1,197,471 sockeye had passed the sonar at river mile 8, surpassing the previous record of 971,604 set in 2022. Peak run timing occurred between June 30 and July 26, …
The 2025 silver salmon run on the Kenai River has been noticeably stronger than in 2024. Last year, anglers faced bait closures and reduced limits, but this season brought a robust return that provided excellent fishing opportunities. Key highlights: Bait opened Aug. 16, right as fishing pressure shifted from sockeye to silvers, with fresh coho …
The summer of 2025 produced the largest return of sockeye salmon to the Kenai River since modern sonar counting began in 1987. By August 19, a staggering 4,252,497 sockeye had passed the Alaska Department of Fish & Game sonar station at river mile 19. The surge began on July 16 with a daily count of …
The 2025 Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Return is projected to be 25% higher than the ten year average. ADFG Advisory Announcement For Immediate Release: January 27, 2025 CONTACT: Kyle Gatt, Research Biologist (907) 260-2923 Jack Erickson, Regional Research Coordinator (907) 267-2376 According to an advisory announcement dated January 25, 2025 the projection for the 2025 …
Summary of actions at the 2024 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Meeting as it pertains to the sportfishing angler visiting the Kenai Peninsula for the next three seasons. The most significant action taken at Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting: Feb 23-March 5, 2024 is in response to the stock of concern status for Kenai …
The triannual Board of Fisheries meeting for upper Cook Inlet took place in early February in Anchorage and the seven member board, many selected by newly elected governor Mike Dunleavy, voted in favor of several proposals that shifted fish away from commercial fisheries and into the rivers. As the economic value of the fish has …
Running a fishing business on the world famous Kenai River may seem like a dream job to some but those that have “lived this dream” know it’s not always about bent rods and screaming drags. Fact is even though we love to fish, during the peak of the season and the business, we really get …
There is certainly no doubt the Kenai is the world’s most famous salmon river, home to the largest kings on earth and the place of piscatorial dreams. Yet just 20 minutes down the Sterling highway is the Kasilof, a river slightly smaller than the Kenai, but equally rich in historic angling lore and yes, huge …
The 2018 season is well underway and just like every season it has exhibited its own unique personality. Perhaps the most noteworthy characteristic to the season has been the lack of warm weather, especially in mid to late May with temps still dipping into the thirties overnight and struggling to break into the sixties during the …
