… The early run (May/June) forecast is 4,794. The walk is a very pleasant 3/4 mile walk from the Salmon lot down to the confluence of the Kenai / Russian Rivers. If accurate, the 2020 early run will be the eighth lowest in 35 years. Pink Humpback Salmon Mid July to Mid September All harvested fish that count towards an annual limit must be recorded on a harvest record card or your license. RACE DAY - September 27, 2020 We will be using the 2017 route for this year's race. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - More than 100,000 sockeye salmon passed through the Lower Kenai River over three days in the past week according to the Department of Fish and Game, but some river users believe that the department’s fish counts are inflating the number of sockeye salmon by inaccurately counting pink salmon as sockeye.. Joe Hanes has been on the river since 1969 and has … July 1, 2020 – EO 2-KS-1-22-20 prohibited the use of bait and the retention of king salmon that are 34 inches and longer in length downstream of Slikok Creek to begin the late-run fishery. Late run: late June through mid August. Estimated inriver run (includes spawning & harvet below sonar), Estimated Escapement (includes spawners below sonar), Estimated Sport Harvest Above Sonar RM 14 to Skilak Lake, Estimated Sport Harvest Below Sonar RM 14, * Retention of king salmon is prohibited in personal use fisheries for 2020. July 24, 2020 – EO 2-KS-1-41-20 closed the king salmon sport fishery. Through July 21, 2020, approximately 4,520 large king salmon have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar, the midpoint of the late run is historically around July 26. 5-10min after leaving the dock, we were fishing for King Salmon (middle of July). 907.262.8588. The Kenai River is host to four species of spawning Pacific Salmon with 7 distinct runs: Chinook (King), Sockeye (Red), Coho (Silver), and Pink (Humpy).Native Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden (Char family) also abound. Alaska officials have forecast poor returns for Kenai River king salmon in the upcoming spring and summer fishing season. The state charges a hefty $12 just to park for a couple of hours. Kenai Drift Anglers wrote a review Apr 2020. Silver Coho Salmon Late July through September. Kenai and Deshka kings. The king salmon fishery on the Kenai River is one of the most iconic in Alaska. The Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) believes that management of salmon fisheries in Alaska should be developed by the Alaska Board … Super easy to get to, right in the town of Kenai. Earning 2nd Place was not enough for Allie. August 1, 2020 – EO-2-KS-1-43-20 prohibited the use of bait and multiple hooks until August 15. Fish and Wildlife Service said. Salmon Run. Kenai Salmon Fishing in July. KENAI, Alaska - Subsistence rod-and-reel fishing in Alaska’s Kenai River will be closed due to low numbers from the early king salmon run, The U.S. The optimal escapement goal (OEG) for late-run king salmon is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer). King Salmon (Chinook) — First Run: Mid May to July; Second Run: Mid July to July 31 (last day of season) Red Salmon (Sockeye) — First Run: Late May to Early June; Second Run: Mid July to Early August Silver Salmon (Coho) — Late July to November 1 Kings sport fishing closed on Kenai River, limited on Kasilof River. ... We made reservation to fish for King Salmon on the Kenai river with Alaskafishon! The outlook for the late run of Kenai River king salmon in 2020 is a forecast of 22,707 large fish. Run for the River is part of the annual Kenai River Festival, a free family event geared towards fun and inspiration. Although below average, this forecast falls within the optimum escapement goal of 3,900 to 6,000 fish. Everyone on the boat caught our limit of King Salmon. In a normal year, it attracts tourists from around the world. By Associated Press, Wire Service Content Jan. 30, 2020… Among locals, July is notorious for the fill the freezer fishing frenzy that accompanies the return of the Kenai River wild and crazy sockeye salmon fishery. We love the escape to a place that’s wilder than home, where we create a new routine filled with outdoor adventures all summer. There is NO race day registration! This projection falls within the optimal escapement goal of 3,900-6,600 large king salmon. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released the 2020 Kenai River king salmon forecast. The early-run king salmon sport fishery will open under General Regulations until an inseason projection is available. There is a five fish annual limit for king salmon over 20 inches from all Cook Inlet Drainage waters in combination, which includes only two fish per year over 20 inches from the Kenai River, except fish under 28 inches in length caught in the Kenai River prior to July 1 do not count towards the annual limit. On August 7, 2020, 26,737 Kenai River late-run Sockeye Salmon were counted. King Chinook Salmon Early run: mid May to early July. “The 2020 Kenai River king salmon late-run is not currently projecting to achieve the escapement goal and it is warranted to restrict the use of bait and multiple hooks in order to reduce the mortality of incidentally caught king salmon,” area management biologist Colton Lipka said in the release. Kenai AK. The 2020 forecasted total run of large fish is within the … King salmon greater than 34 inches in length may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. The outlook for the late run of Kenai River king salmon in 2020 is a forecast of 22,707 large fish. In February 2020, the Board will meet in Anchorage to revisit regulations for Upper Cook Inlet – including the Kasilof River, the Kenai River, and Mat-Su valley rivers and streams. King … The proceeds from the race help support the Festival and the eonmental programs of the Kenai Watershed Forum. Kenai Fishing Season Report for 2020 Kenai/Kasilof King Salmon Run: The Kenai is home to the world’s largest salmon with the record weighing in at 97.4 lbs. Welcome to the Kenai River Marathon! Early-run king salmon emergency orders on Kenai, Kasilof Rivers to last through June 30 by Brian Mazurek; Wednesday, June 10, 2020 5:16pm; News Fishing Kenai Peninsula March 19, 2020 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released the 2020 Kenai River early-run king salmon preseason projection, estimating a return of approximately 4,800 large king salmon. July 15, 2020 – EO 2-KS-1-34-20 prohibited the retention of king salmon of all sizes. Just imaging, last summer on July 17th, 230,643 sockeye, that’s nearly a quarter of a million fish, entered the river … Seasons and run timing varies throughout this 80 mile river system flowing from the headwaters of Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing to Cook Inlet in the town of Kenai. Soldotna, Alaska 58 contributions 5 helpful votes +1. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is one king salmon. If realized, the 2020 run will be slightly larger (577 fish) than the preliminary estimate of the 2019 total run of 4,216 large fish. Alaska Salmon run at different times depending on the location and the species of salmon. The late king salmon run, which occurs from early July to season closure on the Kenai River, has a forecast of 22,707 large fish. FOR 2020 VIRTUAL & I DID NOT RUN RACES INFO AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE. The 2020 Kenai River late-run chinook escapement of an estimated 11,499 large chinook meant the stock failed to reach the lower end of its escapement goal for the second straight year despite season-long restrictions to both the sport and the eastside setnet commercial fisheries. She wanted to see her project come to fruition. We caught our first King within 15 minutes after staring. for when the biggest run is supposed to happen. 5k Fun Run Start Time at 10:15 am from Kenai Visitor & Cultural Center. ADFG released the 2020 outlooks for the king salmon runs on the two rivers on Jan. 27, in advance of the Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries meeting beginning Feb. 7. The Russian River is a gorgeous place to visit. If you plan on fishing the Kenai River while visiting Soldotna, Alaska be sure to check the fish runs prior to your trip. Red Sockeye Salmon Mid July to early August. The 2020 opening of the Kenai and Russian Rivers gave anglers a unique opportunity to catch the first sockeye of the early run, but slow fishing greeted those on the river at midnight. The run usually starts the first of August. Kenai River king salmon sport fishing general regulations for January 1 through June 30, 2020, in Kenai River waters downstream of Skilak Lake are as follows: For more information, please see the Dept. Taylor was an excellent fishing guide, taking us to beaver hole, right near the launch site. Email Us, Board of Fisheries and Game: Actions & Activities, Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), Western Alaska Salmon Stock Identification Program (WASSIP), Online General Season & Registration Permits, Subsistence and Personal Use Fishing Permits, CSIS – Community Subsistence Information System, The Technical Papers and Special Publications Series, Current Inriver Chinook Assessment Information, ESSN Large Chinook Harvests (all stocks) Based on Inseason Length Data, Percentage Large Chinook in ESSN Sample Thru, Min, mean, and max of Large ESSN Chinook that were of Kenai origin (2010-2018 data). of Fish and Game press release, here. SPORT FISHERIES OFFER COVID-19 GUIDELINES ... Bait is prohibited, and only one single-hook, artificial lure may be used. SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 - LOWER KENAI RIVER REPORT - (NO CHANGE) Action has been relatively decent for Coho Salmon on the Lower Kenai River as second run fish are making their way up the river. July 23, 2020 A Chinook salmon in Southcentral Alaska (Ryan Hagerty/USFWS) The Kenai River drainage will officially close to king salmon fishing Friday due to low numbers. Alaska officials have forecast poor returns for Kenai River king salmon in the upcoming spring and summer fishing season. KENAI RIVER LATE-RUN KING SALMON FINAL 2020 INSEASON SUMMARY. MIDDLE KENAI RIVER REPORT - Coho Salmon action on the Middle Kenai River has been slow to decent depending on who you ask. Only king salmon 34 inches or less in length may be retained. SOLDOTNA, AK 99669 K. enai River Silver salmon fishing run is considered the “residents choice” and is known for its fighting spirit.. Our guided Silver Salmon trips offer you premium access to the Kenai’s Silver Salmon, which average from 10-13 lbs. Salmon Run Series Virtual in 2020 The Salmon Run Series was created by Allie Ostrander as an idea for the 2012 Caring for the Kenai contest. Through July 21, 2020, approximately 4,520 large king salmon have passed the river mile 13.7 king salmon sonar, the midpoint of the late run is historically around July 26. Things look better for the late run of Kenai River king salmon in 2020, but the early run on the Kenai and the run on the Deshka look less than rosy again. The cumulative total for Kenai River late-run Sockeye Salmon escapement for the 2020 fishing season is … The late run (July) forecast is 22,707. Projected end of season estimates for large late-run Kenai River Chinook salmon. I suggest taking binoculars so you can spot the Mountain goats on the high range just to the west of the Kenai River. KENAI RIVER SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION 35093 KENAI SPUR HIGHWAY 1st Run Chinook (King Salmon) on the Kenai River: 15,303 2nd Run Chinook on the Kenai River: 42,059. The primary inseason management target for late-run Kenai River sockeye salmon is the … A typical September/October trip on the Kenai River includes reeling in some silver salmon for the freezer during the early morning hours, and then catching and releasing rainbow trout and dolly varden for the remainder of the trip. This projection falls within the optimal escapement goal of 3,900-6,600 large king salmon. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released the 2020 Kenai River early-run king salmon preseason projection, estimating a return of approximately 4,800 large king salmon. 2020 Salmon Fishing Season Our Alaska fishing season kicks off in May each year and we’re always excited to make the trip north. Kenai River. The optimal escapement goal (OEG) for late-run king salmon is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (75 cm mid eye to tail fork and longer). These are without a doubt our guides’ favorite trips, and 2020 certainly didn’t disappoint in this department! 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