60

y

w

H Anchorage Bowl

Kenai Peninsula rd See pages 48-53 See pages 54-59 a w

e

S

Nikiski

Salamatof

Moose Sterling Hwy Cooper Kenai Sterling Pass Landing K en ai R K Soldotna ive e r n a S i ki ake lak L

La ke

Kasilof Prince William Sound See pages 80-83

Kenai Peninsula See pages 54-59 North Gulf Coast See pages 76-79

Kenai Lake drainages 61–63

P Seward Kenai River tributaries a 63–64 g Upper Kenai River mainstem e 65–67 and the s Lower Kenai River mainstem 68–71 and Miles 0 6 12 KENAI RIVER - Drainages

GENERAL REGULATIONS Inclusive waters: Kenai Lake and all other lakes of the Kenai Seward Hwy Lake drainage, and all flowing waters tributary to Kenai Lake. Johnson The Fishing Season for all species is open year-round Quartz Ck. Lake unless otherwise noted below. KING SALMON • Closed to king salmon fishing. Jerome Lake Johnson Creek OTHER SALMON Mile 40.9 Tern Lake • Closed to all salmon fishing. Upper RAINBOW/STEELHEAD TROUT Cooper Landing • In flowing waters: Grant Lake • Season: June 11–May 1: Ck Carter Crescent • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than Sterling Hwy Lake Dry Ck. 16 inches long. Cooper Ck. Crescent KENAI RIVER Lake Vagt Lake • In unstocked lakes: 2 per day, 2 in possession, only 1 fish Lower Trail Lake may be 20 inches or longer. Kenai • In stocked lakes (see pages 84–85 for a list of stocked Lower Russian Ptarmigan lakes): 5 per day, 5 in possession, only 1 fish may be Lake Lake 20 inches or longer. • 20 inches or longer: Cooper Lake Lake • There is a total annual limit of 2 rainbow/steelhead Paradise trout 20 inches or longer taken north of the latitude of Lakes Point Adam, from the waters of the following areas: Upper Victor Ck. West Cook Inlet, Susitna River Drainage, Knik Arm, Ru Russian Anchorage Bowl, Kenai Lake drainages, Kenai River ss ia n Lake tributaries, and Kenai Peninsula. R i v • Anglers who keep a rainbow/steelhead trout 20 inches e Primrose Ck. r or longer must immediately record that harvest. See page 5 for recording instructions.

Porcupine Ck. ARCTIC CHAR/DOLLY VARDEN • In flowing waters: South Fork Snow R. • Season: June 11–May 1: • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than See Quartz Creek open 16 inches long. Miles seasons page 62 • In lakes and ponds: 2 per day, 2 in possession, only 1 fish 036 may be 20 inches or longer. ...continued KENAI RIVER - Kenai Lake Drainages 61 KENAI RIVER - Kenai Lake Drainages 62

GENERAL REGULATIONS SPECIAL REGULATIONS (continued) Crescent Creek drainage—including Crescent Lake: ARCTIC GRAYLING • Open season is June 11–May 1. • In lakes and ponds: • Arctic grayling limits: 2 per day/2 in possession. • 5 per day, 5 in possession. Kenai Lake within ¼ mile of all inlet streams: • In flowing waters: • Open season is June 11–May 1. • Season: June 11–May 1: • 5 per day, 5 in possession. Kenai Lake outlet: LAKE TROUT • Kenai Lake within ¼ mile above the Sterling • In lakes and ponds: Highway bridge at the outlet of the lake: • 20 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession. • Open season is June 11–May 1. • Less than 20 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession. Quartz Creek: • In flowing waters: • Upstream of the Sterling Highway bridge ( Mile • Season: June 11–May 1: 40.9): • 20 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession. • Open season is June 11–September 14 and Crescent Lake grayling • Less than 20 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession. November 1–May 1. • Downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge: BURBOT METHODS AND MEANS • In lakes and ponds: 2 per day, 2 in possession. • Open season is June 11–May 1. Bait restrictions: • In flowing waters: Snow River drainage: • In Kenai Lake (except within ¼ mile of all inlet • Season: June 11–May 1: 2 per day, 2 in possession. • South Fork: OTHER FINFISH streams): • Bait and multiple hooks are allowed. • Open season is June 11–September 14 and • In lakes and ponds: No limit. November 1–May 1. • In flowing waters: • Within ¼ mile of all inlet streams of Kenai Lake and on the Kenai River from the Sterling Highway • Remainder of drainage: • Season: June 11–May 1: No limit. bridge upstream approximately ¼ mile to ADF&G • Open season is June 11–May 1. markers located at the outlet of Kenai Lake: • Only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure is allowed year-round. • In all flowing waters of the Kenai Lake drainages: • Beads fished ahead of flies, lures, or bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook, or be free to slide on the entire length of the line or leader. • Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed year-round.

KENAI RIVER - Kenai Lake Drainages KENAI RIVER - Kenai River Tributaries

GENERAL REGULATIONS ARCTIC CHAR/DOLLY VARDEN ARCTIC GRAYLING • In lakes and ponds: 2 per day, 2 in possession, only 1 • In lakes and ponds: 5 per day, 5 in possession. Inclusive waters: See map on page 60. Tributaries of the fish may be 20 inches or longer. • In flowing waters: Kenai River between Kenai Lake and Cook Inlet (except • In flowing waters: • Upper Kenai River tributaries: those noted below): • Upper Kenai River tributaries: • Season: June 11–May 1: • Upper Kenai River tributaries are those that join • Open June 11–May 1: 1 per day, 1 in the Kenai River between Kenai Lake and Skilak • 5 per day, 5 in possession. possession, must be less than 16 inches long. Lake, and DOES NOT include the Russian River, the • Lower Kenai River tributaries: mainstem Kenai River, or Skilak Lake. • Lower Kenai River tributaries: • Open entire year: 5 per day, 5 in possession. • Open entire year: 1 per day, 1 in possession, • Lower Kenai River tributaries are those that join must be less than 18 inches long. NORTHERN PIKE the Kenai River between Skilak Lake and Cook Inlet, • Upper Kenai River tributaries: and DOES NOT include the mainstem Kenai River or RAINBOW/STEELHEAD TROUT • In lakes and ponds: No limit. Skilak Lake. • In flowing waters: • In flowing waters: The Fishing Season for all species is open year-round • Season: June 11–May 1: • Season: June 11–May 1: No limit. unless otherwise noted below. • Upper Kenai River tributaries: 1 per day, 1 in • Lower Kenai River tributaries: possession, must be less than 16 inches long. KING SALMON • No limit. • Closed to king salmon fishing. • Lower Kenai River tributaries: 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 18 inches long. • Northern pike may be taken by spear, sport fishing gear, ice fishing gear, or by bow and arrow (the arrow OTHER SALMON • In lakes and ponds: 2 per day, 2 in possession, only must be attached to the bow with a line and the arrow • 16 inches or longer: 1 of which may be 20 inches or longer. must have a barbed tip). • Coho salmon season is July 1–October 31. • 20 inches or longer: • When fishing through the ice for northern pike, • 3 per day, 6 in possession, only 2 per day, 2 in • There is a total annual limit of 2 rainbow/steel- anglers may use two hooks on a single line, provided possession may be coho salmon. head trout 20 inches or longer taken north of the that both hooks are attached to one single piece of • A coho salmon 16 inches or longer that is removed latitude of Point Adam, from the waters of the bait. from fresh water must be retained and becomes following areas: West Cook Inlet, Susitna River The following special rules apply to ice-fishing for part of the bag limit of the person who originally Drainage, Knik Arm, Anchorage Bowl, Kenai northern pike in the waters listed below: hooked the fish. A person may not remove a coho Lake drainages, Kenai River tributaries, and salmon 16 inches or longer from the water before Kenai Peninsula. • Sport fishing through the ice for northern pike is allowed using 5 lines provided that: releasing it. • Anglers who keep a rainbow/steelhead trout 20 • Less than 16 inches: inches or longer must immediately record that • Standard ice fishing gear is used; • Coho salmon season is July 1–October 31. harvest. See page 5 for recording instructions. • the fishing gear is closely attended, and; • 10 per day/10 in possession in combination. LAKE TROUT • all other species of fish caught are released immediately. • 20 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession. • Less than 20 inches: 10 per day/10 in possession. • Sevena Lake • Upper Kenai River tributaries: • In flowing waters: • Season: June 11–May 1.

...continued

KENAI RIVER - Kenai River Tributaries 63 KENAI RIVER - Kenai River Tributaries 64

GENERAL REGULATIONS LOWER KENAI RIVER TRIBUTARIES Soldotna Creek drainage: (CONTINUED) SPECIAL REGULATIONS • Soldotna Creek from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream about 100 feet to ADF&G BURBOT Lower Kenai River tributaries are those that join the markers: • Upper Kenai River tributaries: Kenai River between Skilak Lake and Cook Inlet, • Open to fishing for all species except king salmon • In lakes and ponds: 2 per day, 2 in possession. and DOES NOT include the mainstem Kenai River June 11–May 1. or Skilak Lake. • In flowing waters: • Upstream from ADF&G markers: • Season: June 11–May 1: Funny River • All flowing waters are closed year-round to sport fishing. • 2 per day, 2 in possession. • From its mouth upstream to the Funny River Road bridge: • Lower Kenai River tributaries: • Closed to all fishing June 11–August 14. UPPER KENAI RIVER TRIBUTARIES • 2 per day, 2 in possession. • See page 70 for additional restrictions to these SPECIAL REGULATIONS OTHER FINFISH waters. Upper Kenai River tributaries are those that join the • Upper Kenai River tributaries: Moose River drainage: Kenai River between Kenai Lake and Skilak Lake, and • In lakes and ponds: No limit. • From its confluence with the Kenai River upstream DOES NOT include the Russian River, the mainstem • In flowing waters: to the upstream edge of the Sterling Highway Kenai River, or Skilak Lake. • Season: June 11–May 1: No limit. bridge: Cooper Creek: • Lower Kenai River tributaries: • These waters are fly-fishing-only waters May 15– • Open season is June 11–September 14 and November • No limit. August 15. See page 7 for a description of allowed gear. 1–May 1. METHODS AND MEANS • Closed year-round to fishing for king salmon. Cooper Lake: • Open to fishing for all other species following the • Arctic char/Dolly Varden limits: 5 per day, 5 in Bait restrictions: Lower Kenai River Mainstem General Seasons possession, only 1 fish 20 inches or longer. • In all flowing waters of the Kenai River tributaries: and Limits on Pages 68–71. • Beads fished ahead of flies, lures, or bare hooks • See page 71 for additional restrictions to these drainage must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook, or be waters. • Hidden Lake Creek: free to slide on the entire length of the line or • Remainder of drainage: • Closed year-round to all salmon fishing. leader. • Closed year-round to fishing for king salmon. • Open for other species June 11–May 1. • Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure • These flowing waters are open to fishing for all is allowed year-round. See Moose River special • Hidden Lake: other species June 11–May 1, following the daily regulation for exception. • Closed year-round to burbot fishing. limits for Lower Kenai tributaries above. • Lake trout limits: 1 per day, 1 in possession, • Multiple hooks and bait are allowed June 11– regardless of size. May 1 in these waters. Slikok Creek: Jean Lake Creek • Closed year-round to fishing for king salmon. • Closed year-round to all salmon fishing. • Closed to all fishing April 15–August 15. • See page 70 for additional restrictions to these waters.

KENAI RIVER - Kenai River Tributaries KENAI RIVER - Upper Kenai River Mainstem and Russian River 65

STERLING HWY GENERAL REGULATIONS Upper Kenai River Mainstem and Russian River Unrestricted Horsepower 5 mph maximum, no wake area Inclusive waters: The mainstem Kenai River, from waters Lower of Skilak Lake within a ½-mile radius of the river inlet Fuller RM 82 upstream to the Sterling Highway bridge at the outlet of Lakes RM 80.7 Kenai Kenai Lake, including the Russian River drainage. Lake RM 78 Jean Ck. The Fishing Season for all species is open June 11– RM 70 May 1 unless otherwise noted below. RM 74 RM 72 RM 76 Cooper Creek KING SALMON KENAI RIVER d lowe e al • Closed to king salmon fishing. r us oto Miles OTHER SALMON m 0 1 2 RM 68 No a - • Coho salmon: re A t Russian River • Season: July 1–October 31. rif D LAKE TROUT • A coho salmon 16 inches or longer that is Lower

removed from fresh water must be retained and • 20 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession. Russian

becomes part of the bag limit of the person who Lake • Less than 20 inches: 10 per day/10 in possession.

originally hooked the fish. A person may not OTHER FINFISH remove a coho salmon 16 inches or longer from Fishing from a vessel when the anchor the water before releasing it. Skilak is dragging is prohibited. If an anchor • No limit. Lake should fail to hold the vessel in a fixed • After taking a bag limit of coho salmon 16 ! position, fishing must immediately stop METHODS AND MEANS inches or longer from the Kenai River, a person until the anchor is pulled or reset to Cooper may not fish in the Kenai River downstream again hold the vessel in a fixed position. Bait restrictions: Lake from the Soldotna Bridge on that same day. • In flowing waters, beads fished ahead of flies, lures, or • Pink, chum and sockeye (red) salmon: bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook ARCTIC CHAR/DOLLY VARDEN • Season: June 11–May 1. or be free to slide on the entire length of the line or • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 16 leader. See page 7. • 16 inches or longer: inches long. • Pink salmon: • Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is ARCTIC GRAYLING allowed year-round. The gap between point and shank • 6 per day, 6 in possession. • 5 per day, 5 in possession. must be ⅜ inch or less. • Coho, Sockeye (red) and chum salmon: • 3 per day, 6 in possession, only 2 per day, NORTHERN PIKE River bank closures: 2 in possession may be coho salmon through • No limit. • There are special bank access regulations on the August 31. • Northern pike may be taken by spear, sport fishing Kenai River. See pages 72–74 for public access points • Less than 16 inches: gear, ice fishing gear, or by bow and arrow (the arrow on the Kenai River. • 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination. must be attached to the bow with a line and the arrow must have a barbed tip). Gear restrictions: RAINBOW/STEELHEAD TROUT • When fishing through the ice for northern pike, anglers • Salmon may be landed only with the aid of a landing • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 16 may use two hooks on a single line, provided that both net or by hand. inches long. hooks are attached to one single piece of bait. • See page 75 for motorboat restrictions.

KENAI RIVER - Upper Kenai River Mainstem and Russian River 65 KENAI RIVER - Upper Kenai River Mainstem and Russian River 66

SPECIAL REGULATIONS A 16 inches or longer: COHO AND SOCKEYE SALMON •B The Kenai River upstream from ADF&G markers placed just downstream of the ferry crossing June 11 - Sockeye salmon. Kenai River/Russian River confluence area: to ADF&G markers about 300 yd upstream of June 30 3 per day, 6 in possession. the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing •A The Kenai River upstream of the powerline to No retention of coho salmon. ADF&G markers placed just downstream of the (including the waters around the upstream end of ferry crossing: July 1 - Sockeye or coho salmon. the island in front of the Russian River mouth), Aug. 20 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, • Sport fishing season is June 11–May 1, however, and the Russian River from its mouth upstream but only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be from June 11–August 20 these waters are fly- about 100 yd to ADF&G markers: coho salmon. fishing-only waters. See page 7 for a description of • Sport fishing season is July 15–May 1, however, allowed gear. Aug. 21 - Coho salmon. from July 15–August 20 these waters are fly- Oct. 31 1 per day, 1 in possession. fishing-only waters. See page 7 for a description of • Sockeye and coho salmon 16 inches or longer No retention of sockeye salmon. limits: See table. allowed gear. • The Kenai River between markers at river mile 73.5 and 73.6, just downstream of the boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing: • July 1–August 15: SANCTUARY AREA: A B • The north bank is closed to all fishing. • Closed to all fishing 5/02 - 6/10 • Closed to all fishing 5/02 - 7/14 • Open 6/11 - 5/01 • Open 7/15 - 5/01 Anglers can fish in this area from a boat • Fly-fishing only 6/11 - 8/20 • Fly-fishing only 7/15 - 8/20 that is located more than 10 ft from shore and not connected to the shore in ADF&G Ster any way. Sportsman's Markers ling Landing (Mi 55) Hwy • Sockeye and coho salmon 16 inches or longer y RM 75 ling Hw limits: See table below. Ster RM 74 Access RM 73 B A Trails USFWS 16 inches or longer: COHO AND SOCKEYE SALMON Campground B C July 15 - Sockeye or coho salmon. Power Line ian Sc ADF&G ss ho River Kenai-Russian Ru Aug. 20 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, Markers Ri o River Ferry ve ne RM 72 r r Bend but only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be Kenai coho salmon. Aug. 21 - Coho salmon. Oct. 31 1 per day, 1 in possession. No retention of sockeye salmon. C • Closed to all fishing 5/02 - 6/10 • Open 6/11 - 5/01 • Fly-fishing only 6/11 - 8/20

Miles 0 0.25 0.5 Upper Kenai River and Russian River Confluence area 600 yards below falls Russian River: Kenai River upstream of the Russian River confluence Sterling Hwy • Except in fly-fishing-only waters, only one unbaited, area: single-hook, with a gap of ⅜ inch or less, artificial • The Kenai River upstream of approximately river lure is allowed in the Russian River drainage. mile 80.7 to the outlet of Kenai Lake: C o o •C The Russian River from 100 yd upstream of its • An angler may not sport fish from a vessel during p e mouth to an ADF&G marker 600 yd downstream motor use or after a motor has been used to propel 600 yds r C of the falls (See map above and at left): that vessel on that same day. r e • Sport fishing season is June 11–May 1, however, Falls e k from June 11–August 20 these waters are fly- ! GEAR IN FLY-FISHING-ONLY WATERS fishing-only waters. See page 7 for a description of allowed gear. • One unweighted, single-hook, unbaited fly with gap between point and shank of 3�8” or • Sockeye and coho salmon 16 inches or longer less is allowed. The fly must weigh less than ¼ limits: See table below. Lower Russian oz. Artificial flies are defined on page 92. Lake C 16 inches or longer: COHO AND SOCKEYE SALMON • If weights are used, they must be at least 18” June 11 - Sockeye salmon. ahead of the fly.

l i June 30 a 3 per day, 6 in possession. r • Beads not attached to the fly are not allowed T No retention of coho salmon. s in fly-fishing-only waters. e k July 1 - Sockeye or coho salmon. a L Aug. 20 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, n a i but only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be s s u coho salmon. R Aug. 21 - Coho salmon. Sept. 30 1 per day, 1 in possession. R u No retention of sockeye salmon. s s ia • Upstream from an ADF&G marker about 600 yd n R downstream of the falls: i ver • Closed to all salmon fishing. • Sport fishing season is June 11–May 1. • Lower and Upper Russian Lakes: • Closed year-round to all salmon fishing. • Open season for all other species in Upper and Lower Russian lakes is year-round. Upper Russian • Rainbow/steelhead trout limits: 2 per day, 2 in Lake possession, only 1 may be 20 inches or longer. • Dolly Varden limits: 2 per day, 2 in possession, Miles only 1 may be 20 inches or longer. 0 1 2 300 yds • Upper Russian/Goat Creek, upstream from Goat ADF&G markers about 300 yards upstream from its confluence with Upper Russian Lake: Creek Russian River Drainage • Sport fishing season is September 1–May 1 and June 11–July 31. Russian River sockeye by Ryan Ragan KENAI RIVER - Upper Kenai River Mainstem and Russian River 67 KENAI RIVER - Lower Kenai River Mainstem and Skilak Lake 68

GENERAL REGULATIONS • King salmon 20 inches or longer: • There is a combined annual limit of 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer from the Inclusive waters: The mainstem Kenai River from its mouth, denoted by a line from waters of the following areas: Cook Inlet Salt Waters, West Cook Inlet, Susitna the green light tower on the north shore and an ADF&G marker on the south shore, River Drainage, Knik Arm, Anchorage Bowl, Kenai River and Kenai Peninsula. upstream to and including Skilak Lake, except within a ½-mile radius of the upper Of these 5 total king salmon no more than 2 may be taken from the Kenai River. Kenai River inlet (see page 65 for Upper Kenai River regulations). • January 1–June 30: King salmon 20 inches or longer but less than 28 The Fishing Season for all species is open year-round unless otherwise noted below. inches in length are not included in this limit. KING SALMON • A king salmon 20 inches or longer that is removed from salt or fresh water must be retained and becomes part of the bag limit of the person who originally • Kenai River mouth upstream to 300 yards below Slikok Creek: hooked the fish. A person may not remove a king salmon 20 inches or longer • January 1–June 30: 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 42 inches in from the water before releasing it. length or longer than 55 inches. • No person, after taking a king salmon 20 inches or longer from the Kenai River, • July 1–July 31: 1 per day, 1 in possession. may, on that same day, fish from a boat for any species of fish in the Kenai River • 300 yards below Slikok Creek upstream to Skilak Lake: downstream from Skilak Lake. • January 1–July 14: 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 42 inches in • Anglers who keep a king salmon 20 inches or longer must immediately record length or longer than 55 inches. that harvest. See page 5 for recording instructions. • July 15–July 31: 1 per day, 1 in possession. • All Kenai River king salmon 55 inches or longer must be sealed within 3 days • Skilak Lake: of harvest by ADF&G staff in the Soldotna Office at 43961 Kalifornsky Beach • Closed to king salmon fishing. Road; Soldotna, ; (907) 262-9368. • January 1–July 14: No person may possess a king salmon that is filleted or • King salmon less than 20 inches: disfigured to prevent measurement until the fish has been permanently offloaded • 10 per day, 10 in possession, in combination with coho (in season), sockeye, from a boat or removed from the riverbank fishing site where the fish was hooked chum, or pink salmon less than 16 inches in length (see table below). and taken from the water.

Kenai Spur Rd Fishing from a vessel when the anchor is dragging is prohibited. If an anchor should fail to hold the vessel in a fixed ! position, fishing must immediately stop until the anchor is pulled or reset to again hold the vessel in a fixed position. Kenai Moose Miles River 0 1 2 RM 10 COOK RM 2 RM 36 RM 6 RM 12

Scout

INLET Warren Ames KENAI Bridge

Loop Rd Loop RM 38 Lake RM 8 RM 4 RM 40 RM 14 RM 34 RM 32 Kalifornsky RM 16 RM 42 Beach Morgan's STERLING HWY Hole Funny River RM 44 RM 30 RM 18 RM 24 RM 50 Road Soldotna RM RM 47 20 RM 22 RM 46 RIVER Lower Funny RM 28 Killey Skilak RM 26 RM 48 Sterling Hwy River Lake Lower Kenai Bridge River Upper Slikok River Mainstem Creek Road Killey River COHO SALMON RAINBOW/STEELHEAD TROUT NORTHERN PIKE • After taking a bag limit of coho (silver) salmon from • From the mouth of Kenai River upstream to one mile • No limit. the Kenai River, a person may not fish in the Kenai upstream of Lower Killey River: • Northern pike may be taken by spear, sport fishing River downstream from the Soldotna Bridge on that • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than gear, ice fishing gear, or by bow and arrow (the arrow same day. 18 inches long. must be attached to the bow with a line and the arrow • 16 inches or longer: • From one mile upstream of Lower Killey River must have a barbed tip). • A coho salmon 16 inches or longer that is removed upstream to Skilak Lake, including Skilak Lake: • When fishing through the ice for northern pike, anglers from fresh water must be retained and becomes • June 11-May 1: 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be may use two hooks on a single line, provided that both part of the bag limit of the person who originally less than 18 inches long. hooks are attached to one single piece of bait. hooked the fish. A person may not remove a coho ARCTIC CHAR/DOLLY VARDEN OTHER FINFISH salmon 16 inches or longer from the water before releasing it. • 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be less than 18 inches • No limit. long. • For seasons and limits see table below. METHODS AND MEANS • Less than 16 inches: See table below. ARCTIC GRAYLING Landing a salmon: SOCKEYE AND CHUM SALMON • 5 per day, 5 in possession. • Salmon may be landed only with the aid of a landing • 16 inches or longer: See table below. LAKE TROUT net or by hand. No gaffs are allowed. • Less than 16 inches: See table below. • 20 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession. PINK SALMON • Less than 20 inches: 10 per day/10 in possession. River bank closures: • 16 inches or longer: 6 per day, 6 in possession. BURBOT • There are special bank access regulations on the Kenai River. See pages 72-74 for complete information and • Less than 16 inches: See table below. • 2 per day, 2 in possession. a list of public access points on the Kenai River. Less than 16 inches: COHO, CHUM, PINK, AND COHO, CHUM, AND SOCKEYE SALMON Drift-only Mondays (downstream of Skilak Lake): 16 inches or longer: SOCKEYE SALMON Less than 20 inches: KING SALMON • Downstream from the outlet of Skilak Lake: • Mondays, May 1–July 31 (except Memorial Day): Jan. 1 - Sockeye or chum salmon. Jan. 1 - Sockeye, chum, or pink salmon less than 16 June 30 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination. June 30 inches in length and king salmon less than 20 • Between the outlet of Skilak Lake and the No retention of coho salmon. inches in length. Sterling Hwy bridge in Soldotna: July 1 - Sockeye, chum, or coho salmon. 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination. • Closed to fishing from any motorized August 31 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, but No retention of coho salmon. vessel (a motorized vessel is one that has a only 2 per day, 2 in possession may be coho July 1 - Sockeye, chum, pink, or coho salmon less than motor on board). salmon. July 31 16 inches in length and king salmon less than • Between the Sterling Hwy bridge and the Sept. 1 - Sockeye, chum, or coho salmon. 20 inches in length. mouth of the Kenai River: Nov. 30 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination. 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination. • Closed to fishing from any motorized Dec. 1 - Sockeye or chum salmon. Aug. 1 - Sockeye, chum, pink, or coho salmon less than vessel that has on board more than one Dec. 31 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination. Nov. 30 16 inches in length. single motor greater than 10 hp. A motor No retention of coho salmon. 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination. 10 hp or less may be used only downstream No retention of king salmon. of an ADF&G marker at Cunningham Park, and only after fishing from the vessel has Dec. 1 - Sockeye, pink, or chum salmon less than stopped for the day. Dec. 31 16 inches in length.. 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination. No retention of coho or king salmon. ...continued KENAI RIVER - Lower Kenai River Mainstem and Skilak Lake 69 KENAI RIVER - Lower Kenai River Mainstem and Skilak Lake 70

METHODS AND MEANS • From the mouth of the Kenai River to an ADF&G regulatory marker at Skilak Lake: (continued) • August 1–August 31: Gear restrictions: • Bait and multiple hooks allowed. • In flowing waters, beads fished ahead of flies, lures, or • From the mouth of the Kenai River to the Upper bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook Killey River: or be free sliding on the entire length of the line or • September 1–November 30: leader. • Bait and multiple hooks allowed. The following gear restrictions are listed in upstream • December 1–December 31: progression from the mouth of the Kenai River to Skilak • Only unbaited, artificial lures are allowed. Lake. • The Kenai River from the Upper Killey River Selected areas near tributary streams have special tackle upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker at and king salmon regulations that override the gear Skilak Lake: restrictions below. See Special Regulations. • September 1–December 31: • From the mouth of the Kenai River to ADF&G • Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures are regulatory marker at Skilak Lake: allowed. Lower Kenai River rainbow • January 1–June 30: That portion of the Kenai River between ADF&G • Only one unbaited, single-hook lure is allowed. SPECIAL REGULATIONS regulatory markers 250 yd downstream from the • From the mouth of the Kenai River to ADF&G upper breakwater at the Centennial Campground regulatory markers located about 300 yd Special Regulations are listed in upstream progression boat launch upstream to the Sterling Highway bridge downstream of the mouth of Slikok Creek: from the mouth of the Kenai River to, and including, in Soldotna: Skilak Lake. • July 1–July 31: C• May 15 to the end of the king salmon season (or July • Bait is allowed, but anglers must still use only That portion of the Kenai River between ADF&G 31, whichever is later): one single-hook lure. regulatory markers located at river mile 11 and river • Closed to fishing from boats. mile 12: • The Kenai River from ADF&G markers about 300 yd downstream of the mouth of Slikok Creek A• July 1–July 31: Soldotna Centennial Campground boat launch lagoon: upstream to an ADF&G marker at the outlet of • Back-trolling prohibited. A person may not sport D• July 1–August 30: Skilak Lake: fish for any species of fish from a vessel that is • Closed to all fishing. • July 1–July 14: making upstream progress relative to the water with the aid of a motor. Funny River confluence area: • Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure E is allowed. • The Kenai River from ADF&G markers about The Kenai River from ADF&G markers about 300 yd 1 mile downstream of the mouth of Funny River • July 15–July 31: downstream of the mouth of Slikok Creek upstream upstream to ADF&G markers about 200 yd • Bait is allowed, but anglers must still use only to ADF&G markers about 300 yd upstream from the upstream from the mouth of the Funny River: one single-hook lure. mouth of Slikok Creek: • January 1–July 31: B• January 1–July 31: • Closed to fishing for king salmon. • Closed to fishing for king salmon. • Closed to fishing from boats. • Closed to fishing from boats. • Fly-fishing only. See page 7 for a description of • Fly-fishing only. See page 7 for a description of allowed gear. allowed gear. Kenai Spur Rd Fishing from a vessel when the anchor is dragging is prohibited. If an anchor should fail to hold the vessel in a fixed ! position, fishing must immediately stop until the anchor is pulled or reset to again hold the vessel in a fixed position. Kenai Back-trolling Prohibited Moose P! $ P! G P! River RM 10 P! P! P! P! COOK RM 2 $ RM 12 RM 36 P! Seasonal drift area RM 6 A

P! P! Scout INLET WarrenP! Ames KENAI no motor use Bridge

Loop Rd Loop P! P! March 15 - June 14 P! RM 38 P! P! P! Lake (see page 75) P! P! P! RM 8 P! RM 4 RM 40 P! P! and no fishing from P! RM 14 RM 34 P! RM 32 P! an anchored vessel Kalifornsky RM 16 P! RM 42 Unrestricted Beach P! P! $ Morgan's P! $F H Aug. 1 - Dec. 31 horsepower STERLING HWY Hole P! Funny River RM 44 RM 30 P! P! P! P! RM 18 RM 24 P! RM 50 Road $ Soldotna $E C P! RM P! P! P! RM 46 P! $ 20 P! RM 22 RM 47 B ! P! + P RIVERP! P! Lower $D Funny RM 28 P! Skilak Killey $I P! RM 26 RM 48 Sterling Hwy P! ± River Lake Lower Kenai Bridge P! $J River Upper Slikok Miles Creek River Mainstem Road 0 1 2 Killey River

Morgan’s Hole: Lower Killey River confluence area: Skilak Lake: F• The Kenai River from an ADF&G marker about H• The Kenai River from an ADF&G marker about J• Skilak Lake outlet: 100 yd downstream from the landing at Morgan’s ¾ mile downstream of the mouth of the Lower • The Kenai River from the swan sanctuary Hole (river mile 31) upstream to an ADF&G Killey River upstream to an ADF&G marker sign at the outlet of Skilak Lake downstream marker at the north section line of Section 28, about 1 mile upstream from the mouth of the approximately 3 miles to the corresponding swan T5N, R9W, Seward Meridian: Lower Killey River: sanctuary sign near river mile 47: • May 15 to the end of the king salmon season (or • January 1–July 31: • August 1–December 31: July 31, whichever is later): • Closed to fishing for king salmon. • Closed to fishing from an anchored • Closed to fishing from boats. • Closed to fishing from boats. vessel. “Anchored vessel” means using an anchor or any device other than oars, Moose River confluence area: • Fly-fishing only. See page 7 for a description of allowed gear. paddles or outboard motor to slow or stop G• The Kenai River from ADF&G markers located a boat’s downstream drift. approximately 100 yd downstream of the mouth The Kenai River from an ADF&G marker about 1 • Skilak Lake: of the Moose River, upstream to ADF&G markers mile upstream from the mouth of the Lower Killey • Closed to king salmon fishing. located approximately 100 yd upstream of the River upstream to Skilak Lake: mouth of the Moose River: • Except that part of the lake within ½ mile of the •I May 2–June 10: upper Kenai River inlet: • From May 15 to the end of the king salmon season • Closed to all fishing. (or July 31, whichever is later): • Bait and multiple hooks allowed year-round. • Closed to fishing from boats.

KENAI RIVER - Lower Kenai River Mainstem and Skilak Lake 71 r e v i R

ForestDr Kenai Spur Rd e s

o KENAI RIVER - Seasonal Riverbank Closures and Public Access Points o 72 M

Eagle S Robinson Loop Rd Port of Rock ol do mi 82 Kenai Beaver tn a map to the east belowp See p Loop Rd Creek Bridge Access Rd 4 A 19 1 B mi 86 mi 84 C mi 78 Cook D Nilnunqa U mi 80 2 5 Inlet Honeymoon The 20 Pillars Lou Feuding Ln

Cove Rd River Swanson Park Rd Morgan Rd Scout Lake Rd E mi 88 3 6 F Caymas T Cannery Rd G Subdivision Mackey Lake Rd Kalifornsky Beach Rd S Kenai Spur Rd Sterling Hwy Morgan's

mi 90 Run Rd Landing 18 Rabbit Murwood Dr 7 I H mi 92 Lane Rd Visitor Center Forest J Campground Fu K r nny Poppy Ln West 11 e e R Day Use mi 95 N 13 nai v ive r i 17 Funny River r e 8 K R v Boat Launch P Campground i L R Riverbank Closed Jones O Keystone y M e 9 Drive R Q l July 1 - Aug. 25 Rd l

SkylineDr 12 14 i k Soldotna 16 SouthBank/

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e Visitor's Funny River r Wendy r

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Public Access Points = Riverbank Closure = K NORTH BANK­ Between river miles 18.6 and 18.8 8 Slikok Creek Alaska State Parks - Day-Use Picnic Area 1 Mouth of the Kenai River L NORTH BANK­ Between river miles 18.9 and 20.2 2 Port of Kenai City of Kenai - Boat Launch City of Soldotna- Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat 9 Centennial Park Campground 3 Kenai Flats State Rec. Site Alaska State Parks - Day-Use Picnic Area Launch 4 Cunningham Park City of Kenai - Day-Use Picnic Area M Near SOLDOTNA VISITOR’S CENTER South bank between river miles 20.9 and 21.0 A Near CUNNINGHAM PARK North bank between river miles 6.6 and 6.8 10 Soldotna Visitor’s Center Boardwalk B EAGLE ROCK South bank between river miles 10.7 and 12.0 11 Soldotna Creek Park City of Soldotna - Day-Use Picnic Area, Boardwalk Access C STATE-OWNED ISLANDS Between river miles 11 and 14 12 Gilman river center Alaska State Parks - Day-Use 5 The Pillars Alaska State Parks - Boat Launch City of Soldotna- Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat 13 Swiftwater Campground D THE PILLARS area North bank between river miles 12.4 and 12.6 Launch, Boardwalk Access E HONEYMOON COVE area South bank between river miles 12.5 and 13.0 North bank from the mouth of Soldotna Creek upstream N SOLDOTNA CREEK F Near FALLING-IN-HOLE East bank between river miles 13.2 and 13.5 between river miles 22.0 to 22.1 G WEST BANK Between river miles 14.0 and 14.4 14 Rotary Park City of Soldotna - Day-Use H Near BIG EDDY ROAD South bank between river miles 14.4 and 14.6 O Near SOLDOTNA AIRPORT South bank between river miles 22.7 and 23.5 6 Ciechanski Alaska State Parks - Day-Use Picnic Area 15 Moose Range Meadows Kenai National Wildlife Refuge - Day-Use 7 Big Eddy Alaska State Parks - Day-Use Picnic Area P SOUTH BANK­ Between river miles 23.8 and 24.2 I STATE-OWNED ISLANDS Between river miles 17.0 and 17.3 16 Keystone Dr. (end of road) boat launch Kenai National Wildlife Refuge - Boat Launch J Near POACHER’S COVE West bank between river miles 17.5 and 17.6 Q SOUTH BANK­/FUNNY RIVER River mile 26.4 to 30.0 17 Funny River Campground Alaska State Parks - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area Kenai National Wildlife Refuge- Campground, Day-Use 23 Hidden Lake Alaska State Parks - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Picnic Area, Boat Launch 18 Morgan’s Landing Boardwalks Kenai National Wildlife Refuge-Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat 24 Jim’s Landing North bank from river mile 27.3 (upstream edge of boat Launch ramp at the end of Keystone Drive) to the Kenai National North bank from river mile 69.7 to an ADF&G marker just R Near KEYSTONE DRIVE X Near JIM’S LANDING Wildlife Refuge boundary at river mile 28 (near the downstream of the boat launch powerline) 25 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Information Center S HANSEN RIVER RANCH South bank from river mile 31.5 to 32.5 T CAYMAS SUBDIVISION North bank, river mile 31.8 to 32.3 26 Sterling Highway Milepost 57 Pullout U NILNUNQA South bank between river miles 36.0 and 36.6 U.S. Forest Service - Foot-Traffic Ferry, Boat Launch,Day-Use Alaska State Parks - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat 27 Russian River / Sportsman’s Landing 19 Izaak Walton State Recreation Site Picnic Area Launch At the RUSSIAN RIVER FERRY/ North bank, upstream of the ferry crossing, between river Alaska State Parks - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat Y 20 Bing’s Landing SPORTSMAN’S LANDING miles 73.5 and 73.6 Launch U.S. Forest Service- Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area V Near KENAI KEYS North bank between ADF&G markers at river mile 44.6 28 Russian River Campground W THOMPSON’S HOLE North bank between river miles 45.8 and 46.3 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge- Campground, Day-Use 21 Lower Skilak Lake Picnic Area, Boat Launch Kenai National Wildlife Refuge- Campground, Day-Use 22 Upper Skilak Lake Public Access Points = Riverbank Closure = Picnic Area, Boat Launch

Moose Creek See map to page p the east on next p See mi 71 mi 70 mi 68 mi 67 mi 62 See map to the westq See above q mi 65 mi 72 Peterson Lake Sterling Hwy mi 78 mi 76 mi 74 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Egumen Lake Visitor's Information Center Russian River Ferry Skilak Lake Rd Feuding Ln mi 60 Kelly Lake Sportsman's Landing 27 25 26 mi 57 Jim's Y 28 Hidden Lake Landing Russian River 24 X Campground .

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21 s V 23 s Lower Skilak Hidden Lake u

R r Thompson's Hole Lake Campground Campground e v i R W y Lower e

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o Day Use L Lake Campground Boat Launch Riverbank Closed Skilak Lake July 1 - Aug. 25 ± Miles 0 2 4

KENAI RIVER - Seasonal Riverbank Closures and Public Access Points 73 KENAI RIVER - Seasonal Riverbank Closures and Public Access Points 74

Quartz Upper Snug Harbor Z Creek Crescent Creek Trail Campground

See map to the westq See on previous page q Lakes

Cooper Quartz Creek Landing Campground Cooper Creek Campground

Kenai Lake C o o Crescent lake p er Campground C re Trail River e igan Day Use k Snug Harbor Rd Campground rm C a re t e Boat Launch P k Riverbank Closed July 1 - Aug. 25 Ptarmigan Creek Campground S Cooper e w

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Miles 0 2 4

Primrose Campground Public Access Points = Riverbank Closure =

29 Cooper Creek Campground U.S. Forest Service - Campground 30 Cooper Landing Alaska State Parks - Boat Launch South bank near river mile 82.0, from the bridge Z COOPER LANDING BOAT LAUNCH downstream about 1,000 ft to an ADF&G marker (just past the Sterling Highway bridge at the outlet of Kenai Lake) 31 U.S. Forest Service - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area, Boat Quartz Creek Campground Launch 32 Crescent Creek Campground U.S. Forest Service-Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area 33 Trail River Campground U.S. Forest Service - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area 34 Ptarmigan Creek Campground U.S. Forest Service - Campground, Day-Use Picnic Area 35 Primrose Campground U.S. Forest Service - Campground, Boat Launch Dolly varden by Ken Marsh ALASKA STATE PARKS BOATING REGULATIONS TIPS – IF YOU PLAN TO RELEASE YOUR FISH ON THE MAINSTEM KENAI RIVER Tackle • Use strong line to bring your catch in quickly. The Alaska State Legislature created the FOUR-STROKE/DIRECT FUEL • Fish caught with flies or lures survive more often than fish caught with Kenai River Special Management Area INJECTION MOTOR REQUIREMENTS— bait. in 1984 and charged Alaska State Parks regardless of time of year or motor • Overly large hooks can damage mouth parts or eyes. Small hooks may be with its management. Here are their horsepower, no one may operate a taken deeply by fish. boating regulations for the Kenai River, motorized boat on the Kenai River • Use steel hooks that will quickly rust out; avoid using stainless steel hooks. summarized for your convenience. For upstream of a DNR marker located at Use pliers to pinch barbs down. more information, call the Donald E. approximately river mile 4.2 (downstream Gilman River Center at (907) 714-2470. of the Warren Ames Bridge) unless the Landing your catch • Land your fish as carefully and quickly as possible. Avoid removing the PASSENGER LIMITS—no more than 6 motor is a four-stroke motor or a direct fish from the water. persons are allowed on board, including fuel injection motor. This includes boats • If you are ice-fishing, don’t lay your fish on the ice. operator (except for guided vessels in July, operated on Kenai and Skilak Lakes. below the outlet of Skilak Lake, which BOAT LENGTH REQUIREMENTS— Removing the hook may have no more than 5 persons on except on Kenai and Skilak lakes, no one • Remove the hook quickly and gently, keeping the fish underwater. board). may operate a motorized boat on the • Use long-nosed pliers or a hemostat to back the hook out. • When a fish is hooked deeply, cut the line near the hook. It is better to cut TYING UP—no one may tie up a boat Kenai River upstream of a DNR marker your line rather than injure an active fish. to state land, easement, or rights-of-way located (at approximately river mile 4.0) more than 24 consecutive hours. downstream of the Warren Ames bridge Reviving your catch that exceeds overall boat size to no more • Point your fish into a slow current or gently move it back and forth until ANCHORING—­ no one may anchor a than 21 feet long and 106 inches wide. its gills are working and it maintains its balance. boat on the Kenai River that obstructs • When the fish recovers and attempts to swim out of your hands, let it go. a primary traffic channel or drift fishing DRIFT AREAS, MOTOR USE • Large fish may take some time to revive. channel. PROHIBITED— HORSEPOWER RESTRICTIONS— no  Operating a boat by use of a motor one may operate a boat on the Kenai is prohibited year-round on the River upstream of a DNR marker located at Kenai River, from Skilak Lake inlet approximately river mile 4.2 (downstream upstream to river mile 80.7 (see map of the Warren Ames Bridge) with outboard on page 65). or combination of outboards having a  From March 15 to June 14, operating total propshaft rating greater than 50 HP. a boat by use of a motor on the Propshaft horsepower rating means the Kenai River is also prohibited from boat motor’s original manufacturer rated river mile 47 upstream to the outlet and labeled horsepower. Adding a jet of Skilak Lake (see map on page 71). drive unit to a motor does not change the propshaft horsepower rating of the motor For more Kenai River boating information, powerhead and driveshaft configuration. see pages 65–74. These horsepower limitations do not apply to the operation of a boat on Kenai Lake, on Skilak Lake, and on the Kenai River between the Kenai Lake Bridge and river mile 80.7 (see map on page 65). © Mark Emery

KENAI RIVER 75