Spring is here on the Kenai. The river is flowing and the snow along the banks is almost gone. Our front lawn is almost bare with just the dead grass showing now. It’s time for spring cleanup. The river is holding its level and is coming up very slowly. It’s almost time to throw a line in the water as the world record sport caught king salmon was caught on May 17 of 1985. Who knows, a new world record fish just might be out there in the river as I write this. Kings from the Kenai River may be caught and kept in June using a single hook with no bait or scent, but there is a restriction on the size. Kenai River king salmon sport fishing general regulations for January 1 through June 30, in Kenai River waters downstream of Skilak Lake are as follows:
- Bait is prohibited, and only one single-hook, artificial lure may be used.
- The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is one king salmon. Only king salmon less than 34 inches in length may be retained. King salmon 34 inches in length and greater may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
- There is a combined annual limit of five king salmon over 20 inches from all Cook Inlet Drainage waters, 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. All harvested fish that count towards an annual limit must be recorded on a harvest record card or your license.
- The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches (jack king salmon), is 10 fish per day, 10 in possession, in combination with coho, sockeye, chum, or pink salmon less than 16 inches in length.
More to follow regarding the Kasilof River next week.