The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) has released a series of Emergency Orders for the 2024 Upper Cook Inlet king salmon fishery.
The news is not good.
Fishing in all freshwaters of Upper Cook Inlet for wild king salmon will be closed.
The only places an angler can retain a king salmon are the Kasilof and Ninilchik rivers, Ship Creek, the Nick Dudak lagoon, Eklutna tailrace, and in the saltwater south of Homer/Seward. The first five places have hatchery king salmon and is the reason why they are open for fishing. The ocean is open south of Homer/Seward because the “feeder kings” in this area are not of Alaska origin and are fish that will return to the Pacific Northwest.
Here are the numbers for the Kenai River.
The early run forecast is projected to come in at 2,630 fish. The minimum returning broodstock needed to replenish the run is 3,900 fish.
The late run forecast is projected to come in at 13,639. The minimum returning broodstock needed to replenish the run is 15,000 fish (or 14,250 if you’re one of the 4 Board of Fish members who voted to lower the goal).
Clearly, my focus this season will be on red, silver, and pink salmon (and possibly trout). I’m also available for river tours as well. On any given day eagles, arctic terns, sandhill cranes, seals, beluga whales, moose, caribou, and bears can be seen.
Board of Fisheries Recap