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[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  9/14
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Mighty Kenai
SPECIES:  Silvers

REPORT: Well I finally started hooking silvers after a very slow start for me. Just me and the dog and boated a limit fri sat & sun afternoons. 4 of the 6 came on drifting in the boat drifting bobber & eggs and drifting while being anchored. Other 2 from soaking eggs. Most 9-11 lbs. with my biggest coming on Sunday and 13 lbs on the boga grip. Gosh I love fall fishing. The leaves falling in the fall wind. It's so peaceful and quiet out there.

Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  9/15
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Kenai River
SPECIES:  Coho

REPORT: Fished from 10:30 a.m until 12:30 p.m. down past Little Beaver, what a blast!! Coho fever - 4 limits in about 2 hours of pretty much non-stop action back bouncing. The size was impressive - 2 of them were a solid 15 lbs. Second run are here - finally. Back for more tomorrow - stay tuned!

Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  9/16
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Lower Kenai River
SPECIES:  Silvers

REPORT: The fish are pouring in the river. My wife and I have proxys which we rarely use we never keep kings of our own or for the proxys, but we had no fish of our own yet this year so we caught 8 Saturday and 8 Sunday across from Eagle Rock on the corner. My wife caught three 14 lbers back to back Saturday and was whipped. The action was non stop. A work friend brought three kids for Monday and we netted fish every 20 minutes (including the ten it took the kids to bring 'em in) until limiting out. Six were in the 14 lb range. It was wild, non stop action all three days. Go fish the Kenai for silvers now if you want the best of what that river has to offer.

Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html
 

[silversalmon]

Well everyone,
   The salmon season has come to an end for another year.  It was a great season though, as the Coho’s were in early and thick. They were also much larger this year than last.  The Chinook run was smaller this year than in the past, but there was a decent amount of them.  What can we say about the sockeye?  Wow, were they messed up this year or what, someone forgot to give them there alarm clock this year and they did not show up on the Kenai for the second run until the Coho were in.  The Klutina on the other hand had a great run of them from the 2nd week in June until the last week in July.  The pinks, well, it was an odd year so we all knew they were going to be thick on the streams.  The chum had a great year with record numbers reported on some rivers,  and the rest they were very thick on.  On that note, good luck to all the “snow king” anglers as you are our only hope until the next salmon run continues.  Until then, keep an eye out for the trout/pike fishing reports.  May your lines stay tight this ice fishing season……………..

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  10/10
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Anchor R., Deep Cr,. Kenai R.
SPECIES:  Steelhead, Rainbow, Dolly Varden

REPORT: Headed out Monday for the Kenai Penninsula into gale force winds (nearly blew the motorhome off the road) to see if the Steelheading on the Anchor was hot. We found the water conditions even worse than our trip last year with the water a foot higher and visibility down to maybe 4 inches. But miracles do happen; I caught a 27 incher on a black egg sucking matuka less than two feet from shore. Next we tried Deep creek which was in much better shape, but only managed one nice Dolly there. Then down to the Kenai, which was totally silted up by then - less than 2 inches visiblilty!!! But amazingly managed to pull a 28.5 inch rainbow out of a clearwater tributary in the lower river, which will remain unnamed. Praise God for our great land, and it's fish!!!

Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  10/23
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Middle Kenai
SPECIES:  Trout

REPORT: There is still good fishing on the middle Kenai. The water is low and slow, watch your prop. The three of us in the boat caught about 6-10 each with 2 in the early 20 inch range drifting light colored beads. Oh yea, it is a bit chilly.
 
Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  11/20
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  upper Kenai River
SPECIES:  Trout and Dollies

REPORT: Fished Jims landing for several hour only to lose a few rigs and break lots of ice from my guides on my rod. I'd say about every fifth cast those guides where frozen stiff. Didn't even get a single hit. Throw everything from beads to flesh fly's. Weather was cold, but sun shine was great.

Thanks to AOJ for that report
http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  2/17
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Spirit/Elephant Lake
SPECIES:  Coho/Rainbow

REPORT: Couple friends and I hit Spirit late in the morning and was the only ones there for a while. Fishing was kinda slow and the coho were of a small size less than 12 inches. Caught and released 5 rainbows that were all 3 to 5 inches long. Must have been last fall's stocking fry. Trails got very wet on the way out and had to dig out my tracks when I got home.

Thanks to AOJ for that report
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  2/17
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Stormy Lake
SPECIES:  Pike

REPORT: Took the family out to Stormy mostly to see what others were doing in the way of pike fishing on Saturday and see if there were any char being taken. There were a fair number of folks fishing on the lake but the action was the perfect definition of DEAD. A State Trooper made the rounds checking licenses and number of lines (only two per angler in this lake) and when he got to me I asked how many fish he knew of from the other anglers. The answer.... zero! I saw a couple very small pike down the hole but no hits. A neighbor went out there later in the day and had the same luck. Hmm, the fishing calendar said Saturday was suppose to be an Excellent Fishing day. So much for the horoscope!

thanks to AOJ for that report
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  4/13
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Resurrection Bay
SPECIES:  HERRING

REPORT: There are lots of Herring in Resurrection Bay now. I used my trusty Holigan net to catch a bucketfull just wading at low tide. They are delicious rolled in flour, cornmeal and seasonings then pan fried. It's a welcome rite of passage to bring in the fishing season!
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  4/15
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Upper Kenai River
SPECIES:  Rainbow Trout

REPORT: First, may I say thank you for the winter reports to everyone. Sure enjoyed reading them all.

Now for the first spring report: Sunday was a nice day, relatively speaking, after a long cold winter. 36°, no wind at 8 AM. Started at the Kenai Lake bridge, few others already there. Getting started was rusty for me, had to re-learn how to cast.

After several mishaps I got my line out into the water a nice distance only to catch a rock. Unable to release my catch from shore, I called for assistance to my fishing buddy. He is good at keeping my fly and releasing the snag.

He asked why I was casting from so far back and I admitted it was early and I didn't want to get cold standing in the water. Told him to take a cast with my "lucky" rod as a thank you for assistance.

And wouldn't you know, he caught the only fish of the day! A nice 18 - 20 inch chubby rainbow. Darn the new camera was in the car! Oh well, no proof, but great start to our warm weather season.

Further down river we tried several spots, no luck. Wind picked up by 2 PM and we left. Lots of eagles and report of grizzly seen on the Kenai River this past week.

thanks to AOJ for that report
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  4/26
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Clam Gulch
SPECIES:  Razors

REPORT: I had similar luck as Klondike Kid last year. I have clammed in Clam Gulch for 30 years, never have I seen the clams so small. My biggest last year was maybe 4.5 inches, with lots of 2 inchers. I saw lots of shows, but they all looked the same, and after digging several about 2 inches would move on. The good thing being that in a couple years there should be a good amount of decent razors again. I wonder if cutting the quota back to 45 again may help? I plan on just waiting a couple years to clam again as it takes just as long or longer to clean the little ones.



[AOJ: Since my post on the cover page I've received more ADFG information/explanation of what is apparently going on at the clam beaches. From ADFG survey data it appears that the mature clams don't spawn every year and in fact seems to be on as much as a SIX year spawning cycle for the past few decades. What has occurred is all of the adult harvest-size clams have reached the end of the trail and died of old age before their oldest age class of offspring has reached a decent harvest size, i.e. about 4 inches or larger. So we have a GAP of a couple years now with the 5-6 year olds still having another two years of growing to reach that decent size. So it will still be slim pickin's next year too. The good news is from my observations I was uncovering a LOT (about 20% of my find) two year old clams in the one inch size. If the oldest age class spawns this season or next year we will start seeing a better spread of age classes again and less likelihood a noticeable size gap will occur down the road.

ADFG also emphasized that none of the clam beaches from Homer to Kasilof have been over-harvested. From clam digger counts each year we appear to have hit a plateau in numbers of diggers and its been very consistent for over a decade and the clam count on the beaches remains in the same range over that time.

There are still good numbers of butters and steamers to dig down in Kachemak Bay if you have transporation. ] 

thanks to AOJ for that report

[silversalmon]

EMERGENCY ORDER ISSUED TO PREVENT FILLETING OF KENAI RIVER KING SALMON
KING SALMON CANNOT BE FILLETED BEFORE FISH ARE BROUGHT TO SHORE AND OFFLOADED FROM A VESSEL OR REMOVED FROM A SHORELINE FISHING SITE.

April 23, 2007
SOLDOTNA, Alaska -- Emergency Order effective 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, May 1. This Emergency Order applies to all Kenai River king salmon harvested, regardless of size.

Anglers may not fillet, mutilate, remove the head, or otherwise disfigure a Kenai River king salmon in such a manner that would prevent determination of the length of fish. Anglers may fillet king salmon after the fish are offloaded from the vessel or removed from the shoreline fishing site. "Shoreline fishing site" means the point on the shoreline where the fish is hooked and removed from the water, at which time it becomes part of the angler's bag limit.

This regulation becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, and remains in effect through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2006.

Anglers will still be allowed to remove the gills and guts from their Kenai River king salmon before offloading from a vessel or removing the fish from the shoreline fishing site.

By regulation, the Kasilof River also has the no-fillet requirement.

The Board of Fisheries authorized the Department to issue this type of Emergency Order for the purpose of enforcement of bag and size limits. Department of Fish and Game personnel and other resource agency staff will enforce this regulation, and anglers who disregard this requirement will be subject to a citation.

[silversalmon]

REMOVING RAINBOW TROUT FROM THE WATER IS PROHIBITED IN THE KENAI RIVER WATERSHED DURING THE MAY 2 - JUNE 10 RAINBOW TROUT SPAWNING CLOSURE

April 23, 2007
SOLDOTNA, Alaska -- Fishing for rainbow/steelhead trout, including catch-and-release, in the flowing waters of the Kenai River is closed by regulation from May 2 - June 10, to protect spawning fish.

However, in 2005, many anglers were documented catching and releasing rainbows during this closed period while targeting Dolly Varden. Many of these anglers were removing rainbow trout from the water before releasing them. Prohibiting anglers from removing rainbow trout from the water during the spawning closure may reduce mortality of these incidentally-caught trout during a time period when the spawning fish may be more susceptible to handling mortality.

In order to provide further protection for Kenai River rainbow trout, an Emergency Order has been issued that states rainbows that are caught while fishing for other species from May 2 - June 10 cannot be removed from the water before being released.

This Emergency Order applies to the flowing waters from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to Skilak Lake, and the waters of Skilak Lake within a one-half mile radius of the Kenai River Inlet.

Other streams on the Kenai Peninsula, such as the Kasilof River and the Anchor River, have a similar regulation.

Anglers fishing for Dolly Varden during the rainbow trout spawning closure should fish downstream of spawning rainbow trout where the Dolly Varden tend to hold and feed on drifting eggs.

[silversalmon]

http://alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/References/Tides/tides.html

Tide tables for AK 2007

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  5/5
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Seward - Fault Point
SPECIES:  Halibut

REPORT: Excellent weather, Halibut still slow, picked up one 20lb'er near Fault Point, allot of LingCod (out of season) so I moved on. Sea Lions out, saw several Black Bears eating the first of the green shoreline grass.
 
thanks to aoj for that report

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for May 22, 2007
Late Run King Salmon Summary
Early Run King Salmon Summary Kenai Area EOs
2-NP-1-01-07
2-RT-1-04-07
2-KS-1-03-07
2-KS-1-07-07
 
 

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

At this time, four Emergency Orders are in effect for this area. The first was released to remind anglers that they may not fillet or otherwise disfigure king salmon in such a manner that would prevent determination of the length of the fish. Boat anglers cannot fillet a king salmon until the fish is brought to shore and offloaded from the vessel. Shore anglers cannot fillet a king salmon before removing it from the fishing site. The Emergency Order still allows gilling and/or gutting the king salmon.
The second Emergency Order in effect for this area prohibits anglers from removing incidentally-caught rainbow trout from the water in the Kenai River during the May 2 – June 10 rainbow trout spawning closure.
The third Emergency Order was released to inform Kasilof River anglers that they may keep either a naturally-produced king salmon OR a hatchery king salmon on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. Thursday was added as an additional day, beginning May 17. Hatchery king salmon, which are fish that are missing their adipose fin, can be kept seven days per week.
A news release was issued on May 4 closing a 300 foot section of the Kenai River to all sport fishing at river mile 44.75. Two floating smolt traps and sonar equipment have been deployed in the Kenai River near the area called the “Kenai Keys”. The area closed to all sport fishing until June 25 include the waters and shoreline from the deployed smolt traps upstream 300 feet. Anglers and boaters should use extreme caution when transiting the area since floating smolt traps and sonar equipment will be anchored to the river bottom with large anchors and steel cables. If going downstream, stay to the left of center of the river. If going upstream, stay to the right of center of the river.
The following waters are now closed by regulation to all fishing:
The Upper Kenai River from ¼-mile above the Sterling Highway bridge at Cooper Landing downstream to the waters of Skilak Lake within a ½-mile radius of the river inlet. Opens 12:01 a.m., June 11.
The Russian River. Opens 12:01 a.m., June 11.
The Russian River Sanctuary Area (see page 53 of the 2007 regulation booklet). Opens 12:01 a.m., July 15, unless an Emergency Order is issued to open it earlier.
Anglers are reminded to check the regulation booklet as the water they may intend to fish may be closed to all fishing.
The lower Kenai River, from a marker at the outlet near Skilak Lake downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River is closed to sport fishing for rainbow trout. This area will reopen to sport fishing for rainbow trout at 12:01 a.m., June 11.
Anglers are reminded that the Emergency Order liberalizing the number of lines used to fish for northern pike in Scout Lake expired on April 30.
Kenai River early run king salmon sonar passage counts are now available via a Soldotna telephone hotline recording at (907) 262-2737 and from the Division of Sport Fish home page under "Fish Counts."
Kenai River boaters are cautioned that there may still be debris in the water from last winter’s flood.
Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof rivers

In the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, anglers experienced slow king salmon fishing over the weekend of May 19. Fishing in these rivers is expected to improve. Historically, the numbers of kings moving into the rivers increases as the month of May progresses.
Due to cool spring weather and lack of rain, the water levels in both the Kenai and Kasilof rivers are low. Boaters are advised to use caution when navigating in shallow sections of the rivers.
Resident Fish — Kenai River

Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are currently limited by the seasonal closures to protect spawning rainbow trout. All flowing waters in the Kenai River watershed are closed to fishing for rainbow trout until June 11.
Fishing for Dolly Varden is open on the mainstem Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the inlet of Skilak Lake. Only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure may be used. The daily bag limit is one Dolly Varden under 18” in length. Anglers have reported that fishing for Dolly Varden has been slow.
Resident Fish — Kasilof River

Rainbow/steelhead fishing is reported as fair. Anglers putting in enough time to work the holes and drifts have had some success.
All rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the water before they are released.
Lake Fishing

Opportunities are excellent, as the area lakes are ice-free. A few of the higher elevation lakes will become ice-free soon, with the warmer weather. See below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area lakes.
Anglers have reported success catching lake trout in Hidden Lake. Lake trout can be found in shallower waters during spring, before water temperatures warm. Trolling with spoons, plugs or spinning rigs tipped with bait may be productive. Tustumena, Skilak and Kenai lakes also support lake trout and can provide good fishing opportunities for lake trout in the spring.
Northern Pike

Stormy Lake is a good bet for springtime fishing for northern pike.
Many other area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited. Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.
Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached by a line), bait, spinning, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and fish-colored lures and flies.
There is no closed season for pike, and the bag limit is unlimited. Wanton waste laws apply, so be sure to use, or donate to charity, all the pike you harvest.
Personal Use

Hooligan (smelt) fishing in the Kenai River is open.
Netter success is expected to increase this week as the run develops.
Dipnetting for hooligan in salt waters closes midnight, May 31. It’s open in fresh waters through midnight, June 15.
You must hold an Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) in order to use a dipnet or gill net to catch hooligan. You may take as many hooligan as you will use.
Using a gill net to catch hooligan in the Kenai River is permitted from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located at Cunningham Park. Dipnets may be used to harvest hooligan throughout the Kenai River.
Please refer to page 17 of the 2007 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the hooligan / smelt regulations.

thanks to ADF&G for that report

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  5/26
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Kasilof River
SPECIES:  King

REPORT: Spent the long weekend at the Kasilof/Crooked Creek. Caught and released one king on Friday night, no other hookups all weekend. Only saw two other hook-ups all weekend, one from a boat at the top of Peoples Hole and, one from shore. Water was very low, and very few folks fishing.
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  5/28
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Ninilchik River
SPECIES:  King

REPORT: Fished the Ninilchik River for kings for 3 hours, no fish. One man said that he saw some kings get spooked, when a beaver came down the river, but we did't see any. The limit in the river is 2 kings now instead of 1, run must be late, but is expecting a lot of kings this year if they upped the limit to 2 kings.
 

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for June 18, 2007
Late Run King Salmon Summary
Early Run King Salmon Summary Kenai Area EOs
2-NP-1-01-07
2-RT-1-04-07
2-KS-1-03-07
2-KS-1-07-07
2-KS-1-12-07
2-RS-1-15-07
 
 

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

At this time, five Emergency Orders are in effect for this area. The most recent opened the Russian River Sanctuary Area to fishing beginning Monday, June 18 at 8:00 a.m. The bag limit and possession limit is 3 sockeye (red) salmon.
Another Emergency Order allows bait in the Kenai River king salmon fishery, downstream of a point 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers to the mouth of the Kenai River. All other regulations regarding the Kenai River king salmon fishery remain in effect.
Another Emergency Order prohibits anglers from filleting or otherwise disfiguring their king salmon in such a manner that would prevent determination of the length of the fish. Boat anglers cannot fillet a king salmon until the fish is brought to shore and offloaded from the vessel. Shore anglers cannot fillet a king salmon before removing it from the fishing site. The Emergency Order still allows gilling and/or gutting the king salmon.
On the Kasilof River, an Emergency Order has been issued to add Thursday as a day that anglers can keep a wild king salmon. Kasilof anglers can now keep a wild king salmon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Only hatchery king salmon may be kept on the other days. Hatchery king salmon are missing their adipose fin.
The 300-foot closure on the Kenai River near the smolt traps at River Mile 44.75 remains in effect through June 25. To avoid anchored cables, if going downstream, stay to the left of center of the river. If going upstream, stay to the right of center of the river.
If you’re fishing the Russian River area, don’t forget that the land managers have regulations regarding food storage and possession of refuse. Specific information regarding these regulations can be found at Russian River facilities and by contacting either the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest, or the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Please remember to “Stop, chop and throw” your filleted fish carcasses into deep, fast-moving waters to prevent attracting bears to fish carcasses piling up along the shores.
Kenai River early-run king salmon sonar passage counts and Russian River sockeye salmon weir counts are available via a Soldotna recorded telephone hotline at (907) 262-9097 and online on our “Fish Counts” web site.
Anglers are reminded to check the Southcentral sport fishing regulation booklet summary before fishing as the water they intend to fish may have regulations not mentioned here.
Salmon – Kenai, Kasilof and Russian rivers

In the Kenai River, king salmon fishing is reported to be fair to good. The ADF&G creel survey king salmon estimates of catch increased markedly last week, likely due to the numbers of king salmon entering the Kenai River and in part due to the Emergency Order allowing the use of bait. Several anglers have reported bringing several fish to the boat during a fishing day.
Anglers can expect the Kenai River early-run king salmon fishery to remain fair to good for the next several days as the run continues.
In the Kasilof River, king salmon fishing was relatively good over the weekend, but remember that the numbers of king salmon entering the Kasilof, as well as fishing success, typically declines during the third week of June.
Kasilof River anglers fishing from the riverbank at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Site are also catching a few sockeye (red) salmon. Approximately 8,900 sockeye were estimated to have passed the Kasilof River sonar station over the weekend. Typically, larger numbers of sockeye salmon need to be present to provide good sport fishing, which usually happens about during the third week of June. Consequently, anglers can expect sockeye fishing in the Kasilof to improve.
The ADF&G Russian River sockeye salmon fishery is rated as good to excellent. Anglers fishing the Russian River upstream of the Sanctuary Area as well as the Kenai River immediately downstream of the Russian River Ferry crossing are also reporting good success. Anglers should expect a lot of people, but good fishing throughout the week.
The Russian River Sanctuary opened at 8:00 a.m. Monday June 18. During the opening law enforcement staff reported excellent fishing.
The bag limit and possession limit remains at 3 sockeye (red) salmon.
Although the numbers of fish passing through the Russian River weir may decline due to the opening of the Sanctuary Area, anglers should be aware that the weir count may not be the best barometer for fishing success as many sockeye moving up the Kenai River into the Russian River will be harvested before reaching the weir.
Don’t forget to chop up your filleted fish carcasses and throw them into deep, fast-moving waters to prevent attracting bears by fish carcass build-up. Anglers are also reminded to stay on established trails in the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service parking and campground areas.
Resident Fish — Kenai River

Fishing for rainbow trout in the Kenai River watershed is reported as fair to good. Several drift boat anglers are now fishing the Upper Kenai River between Skilak and Kenai lakes. This fishery will improve as the rainbows move into summer feeding areas.
Almost every stream has different regulations for rainbow / steelhead trout. Anglers need to review and understand the regulations before fishing.
Fishing for Dolly Varden is reported to be fair in those parts of the Kenai drainage that are open. Typically, Dolly Varden are incidentally caught by anglers targeting rainbow trout.
Resident Fish — Kasilof River

Anglers have reported some rainbow / steelhead catches incidental to fishing for king salmon; however, these fish have completed spawning and survivors are returning to the ocean to feed.
All rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the water before release.
Lake Fishing

Opportunities are excellent for fishing both the stocked and wild lakes. See below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area lakes.
Anglers have reported that lake trout fishing in area lakes is slowing down. Lake trout found in shallower waters during spring have moved into deep water as the water temperature have increased. Trolling in deep water, with the aid of downriggers, using spoons, plugs or spinning rigs tipped with bait may still be productive. Anglers should fish deep water and cover a large area to have success at locating a lake trout or two. Tustumena, Hidden, Skilak and Kenai lakes provide lake trout fishing opportunities.
Northern Pike

Stormy and Scout lakes are recommended for springtime fishing for northern pike.
Many other area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited. Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.
Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached by a line), bait, spinning, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and fish-colored lures and flies.
There is no closed season for pike, and the bag limit is unlimited. Wanton waste laws apply, so be sure to use, or donate to charity, all the pike you harvest.
Personal Use

Hooligan (smelt) dipnetting closed at midnight, June 15, for the rest of the year.
The personal use set net fishery near the mouth of the Kasilof is now open, and runs through 11:00 p.m., Sunday, June 24. No reports have come in yet.
Personal use dipnetting at the mouth of the Kasilof starts June 25. Personal use dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai starts July 10.
You must hold a 2007 Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) as well as a free permit in order to use a dipnet or gill net at the Kenai or Kasilof. The free permits are widely available at grocery stores, tackle shops, and sporting goods stores.
Please read pages 16 – 18 of your Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet, or visit our Cook Inlet Personal Use web site.

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  6/21
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Russian River
SPECIES:  Reds

REPORT: It has been good and steady but I have definitely had it better.

Fished Tuesday night with about 90 minutes till the last ferry and finally landed a nice hen with about ten minutes to go. Crowds were still heavy and the sow with her two cubs showed up at the point on the highway side. She rousted about 15 anglers really quickly. Hit it again on Wednesday catching the 5th ferry. I had my limit in about 2 hours with plenty of action and fish coming through. My son caught his first salmon ever for which he got a nice round of applause from those around us. Went out again on Thursday, where it was great to begin with with two fish to the bank fairly early on but had to flog the waters for two more hours to finally land a fair third. Not quite at the point of more people than fish, but it is pretty close. A lot of limits are being caught in all the sweet spots, but a lot of folks are walking away blanked.
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  6/20
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Russian River
SPECIES:  Reds

REPORT: Fishing is great at the confluence. Loads of fish and loads of people. Be ready for some combat fishing.
 

[silversalmon]

ANGLER:  alpinebob22
TRIP DATE:  6/19
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  lower Kenai
SPECIES:  Kings/ bows

REPORT: Hot sunny weather causing the water levels and temperature to rise (54.9 deg. on (Wednesday). This along with lots of debris in the water made fishing very slow- Zero fish landed and only four strikes on wednesday compared with three fish landed and several strikes on Tuesday.
 

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  6/20
REGION:  Kenai Peninsula
WATER:  Russian Sanctuary/confluence
SPECIES:  Reds

REPORT: Started off fishing the Russian, no luck. Headed down to the Confluence around 2130 and it was like fishing in a barrel full of fish. Every other cast I had a fish hooked, got my 3 in 30-40 minutes. Awsome day too bad we had to be at work the next day.
 

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for June 25, 2007
Late Run King Salmon Summary
Early Run King Salmon Summary Kenai Area EOs
2-NP-1-01-07
2-RT-1-04-07
2-KS-1-03-07
2-KS-1-07-07
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Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

An Emergency Order has been issued to open the Russian River Sanctuary Area to fishing as of June 18. The bag limit and possession limit remains 3 sockeye (red) salmon.
If you’re fishing the Russian River area, don’t forget that the land managers have regulations regarding food storage and possession of refuse. Specific information regarding these regulations can be found at Russian River facilities and by contacting either the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest, or the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Please remember to “Stop, chop and throw” your filleted fish carcasses into deep, fast-moving waters to prevent attracting bears to fish carcasses piling up along the shores.
Another Emergency Order allows bait in the Kenai River king salmon fishery, downstream of a point 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers to the mouth of the Kenai River. All other regulations regarding the Kenai River king salmon fishery remain in effect.
Another Emergency Order prohibits anglers from filleting or otherwise disfiguring their king salmon in such a manner that would prevent determination of the length of the fish. Boat anglers cannot fillet a king salmon until the fish is brought to shore and offloaded from the vessel. Shore anglers cannot fillet a king salmon before removing it from the fishing site. The Emergency Order still allows gilling and/or gutting the king salmon.
On the Kasilof River, an Emergency Order has been issued to add Thursday as a day that anglers can keep a wild king salmon. Kasilof anglers can now keep a wild king salmon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday. Only hatchery king salmon may be kept on the other days. Hatchery king salmon are missing their adipose fin.
The 300-foot closure on the Kenai River near the smolt traps at River Mile 44.75 remains in effect through midnight tonight, June 25.
Kenai River early-run king salmon sonar passage counts and Russian River sockeye salmon weir counts are available via a Soldotna recorded telephone hotline at (907) 262-9097 and online on our “Fish Counts” web site, below.
Anglers are reminded to check the Southcentral sport fishing regulation booklet summary before fishing as the water they intend to fish may have regulations not mentioned here.
Salmon – Kenai, Kasilof and Russian rivers

In the Kenai River, king salmon fishing is reported to be fair. According to our creel survey, king salmon catch estimates decreased slightly over the weekend, likely due to turbid water conditions. Several anglers reported that, compared to last week, fishing success did decline; however, anglers are still catching king salmon.
Anglers can expect the Kenai River early-run king salmon fishery to remain fair for the next several days as the early run enters the final week.
In the Kasilof River, king salmon fishing was fair over the weekend, but remember that the numbers of king salmon entering the Kasilof, as well as fishing success, typically declines in the last week of June.
Kasilof River anglers fishing from the river bank at the Crooked Creek State Recreation Site are also catching a few sockeye (red) salmon. Approximately 28,438 sockeye are now estimated to have passed the Kasilof River sonar station since estmation began on June 15. Typically, larger numbers of sockeye salmon need to be present to provide good sport fishing, which usually happens from the end of June to the beginning of July. Consequently, anglers can expect sockeye fishing in the Kasilof to improve.
The ADF&G Russian River sockeye salmon fishery is rated as good. Anglers fishing the Russian River Sanctuary Area as well as the Kenai River immediately downstream of the Russian River Ferry crossing are reporting success. Anglers should expect a lot of people, but decent fishing throughout the week. Russian River sockeye fishing usually declines in late June and early July, but fishing can still be good.
Don’t forget to chop up your filleted fish carcasses and throw them into deep, fast-moving waters to prevent attracting bears by fish carcass build-up. Anglers are also reminded to stay on established trails in the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service parking and campground areas.
Resident Fish — Kenai River

Fishing for rainbow trout in the Kenai River watershed is reported as fair to good. Several drift boat anglers are now fishing the Upper Kenai River between Skilak and Kenai lakes. This fishery will improve as the rainbows move into summer feeding areas. Rainbow trout fishing below Skilak Lake is reported to be good.
Almost every stream has different regulations for rainbow / steelhead trout. Anglers need to review and understand the regulations before fishing.
Fishing for Dolly Varden is reported to be fair in those parts of the Kenai drainage that are open. Typically, Dolly Varden are incidentally caught by anglers targeting rainbow trout.
Resident Fish — Kasilof River

Anglers have reported some rainbow / steelhead catches incidental to fishing for king salmon; however, these fish have completed spawning and survivors are returning to the ocean to feed.
All rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the water before release.
Lake Fishing

Opportunities are excellent for fishing both the stocked and wild lakes. See below for links to stocking information, as well as maps to the area lakes.
Anglers have reported that lake trout fishing in area lakes is slowing down. Lake trout found in shallower waters during spring have moved into deep water as the water temperatures have increased. Trolling in deep water, with the aid of downriggers, using spoons, plugs or spinning rigs tipped with bait may still be productive. Anglers should fish deep water and cover a large area to have success at locating a lake trout or two. Tustumena, Hidden, Skilak and Kenai lakes provide lake trout fishing opportunities.
Northern Pike

Stormy and Scout lakes are recommended for northern pike fishing.
Many other area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited. Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.
Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached by a line), bait, spinning, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and fish-colored lures and flies.
There is no closed season for pike, and the bag limit is unlimited. Wanton waste laws apply, so be sure to use, or donate to charity, all the pike you harvest.
Personal Use

Hooligan (smelt) fishing in the Kenai River closed at midnight, June 15, for the rest of the year.
The personal use set net fishery near the mouth of the Kasilof is now closed.
Personal use dipnetting at the mouth of the Kasilof started today, June 25. Personal use dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai starts July 10. Please read pages 16 – 18 of your Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet.
You must hold a 2007 Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) as well as a free permit in order to use a dipnet or gill net. The free permits are widely available at grocery stores, tackle shops, and sporting goods stores.