(Soldotna) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions for the Kenai River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 24 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for coho salmon is one fish per day; from September 1 – November 30, the bag and possession limit for coho salmon is two fish per day.

Although assessment and reports of coho salmon throughout Cook Inlet indicate weak runs, abundance on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers seem to be comparable to recent years and able to sustain some harvest. To manage conservatively and consistently with other Kenai Peninsula coho salmon fisheries, the department is reducing the limit for coho salmon 16 inches or greater in length to a bag and possession limit of one fish for the remainder of August and two fish from September through November.

“Although we’re seeing poor runs of coho salmon around Cook Inlet, so far the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers look comparable to recent years,” stated Biologist Matt Miller. “We’d like to allow anglers to efficiently harvest coho salmon but reduce the bag limit as we watch how this run shapes up.”

For additional information, please contact John Wagoner (907) 260-2920.

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