After the bad news last week about the closing of the Kenai River king salmon fishery, I’m happy to report some good news.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released a promising forecast for the 2023 Upper Cook Inlet sockeye run. The total run is projected to be 5.12 million fish. Of that number, 2.82 million fish are forecasted to return to the Kenai.
In the historical context of Upper Cook Inlet sockeye runs, this is average.
You know what? I’ll take average. The last two years the sockeye run was forecasted as average and the fishing was spectacular.
This is the reason why.
Because the Kenai River is closed for king salmon sport fishing, the commercial setnetters will not be able to fish this year too. The sockeye salmon they normally catch in their nets will find their way into the river. When this happens, escapement goals are easily met. It’s not if, it’s just a matter of when will ADFG liberalize the sport fishery daily limit and double it. Last year it happened on July 21st. Two years ago, it happened on 8/3.
Fly rods and waders, fly rods and waders…I can’t wait for July.
Restrictions/Closures for the King Fishery