Originally posted by: silversalmon on 5/13/2005 10:49:04 AM

Emergency Orders and In-season Regulation Changes
· At this time, one Emergency Order is in effect for this area, to remind anglers that filleting or otherwise disfiguring a king salmon in such a manner that would prevent determination of the length of the fish, is prohibited. Boat anglers will be prohibited from filleting a king salmon until the fish is brought to shore and offloaded from the vessel . Shore anglers will be prohibited from filleting a king salmon before removing it from the fishing site . The Emergency Order still allows gilling and/or gutting the king salmon.



· The following waters are now closed by regulation to all fishing:

The Upper Kenai River from ¼-mile above the Sterling Highway bridge at Cooper Landing, downstream to the waters of Skilak Lake within a ½ mile radius of the river inlet. Opens 12:01 a.m., June 11.

The Russian River. Opens 12:01 a.m., June 11.

The Russian River Sanctuary Area (see page 31 of the 2005 regulation booklet). Opens 12:01 a.m., July 15, unless an Emergency Order is issued to open it earlier.

There may be other areas closed to all fishing. Check your regulation booklet.



· The lower Kenai River, from a marker at the outlet near Skilak Lake downstream to the mouth of the Kenai River is closed to sport fishing for rainbow trout. This area will reopen to sport fishing for rainbow trout at 12:01 a.m., June 11.



· The Board of Fisheries (BOF) recently adopted several regulation changes during the January meetings held in Anchorage. The new regulations that are currently in effect include:

Kenai River changes:
Rainbow Trout

· In Kenai River drainage lakes and ponds: 2 fish per day, only one per day 20 inches or longer; annual limit of 2 fish 20 inches or longer.

· In most flowing waters above Skilak Lake: 1 fish per day, must be 16” or less; no annual limit; open season June 11 – May 1.

· In most flowing waters below Skilak Lake and in Skilak Lake: 1 fish per day, must be 18” or less; no annual limit; open season June 11 – May 1.



Dolly Varden

· In Kenai River drainage lakes and ponds: 2 fish per day, only one per day 20 inches or longer; no annual limit.

· In most flowing waters above Skilak Lake: 1 fish per day, must be 16” or less; no annual limit; open season June 11 – May 1.

· In most flowing waters below Skilak Lake and in Skilak Lake: 1 fish per day, must be 18” or less; no annual limit; no closed season.

Salmon

· Non-resident anglers are allowed to fish from a boat 24 hours a day during May and June. Non-resident anglers are reminded that sport fishing from a registered guide vessel is prohibited from 6 PM – 6 AM Tuesday through Saturday and sport fishing from a registered guide vessel is prohibited on Sundays during May and June.
· Fishing for jack salmon is prohibited in waters closed to fishing for king salmon 20” or longer and other salmon 16” or longer.

Fresh Waters
Salmon — Kenai River & Kasilof River
· It’s a little early yet for king salmon; however, a few fish may be entering these river systems.

· In the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, anglers typically start catching king salmon in mid- to late May.

Resident Fish — Kenai River
· Fishing opportunities on the Kenai River are currently limited by the seasonal closures to protect spawning rainbow trout. All flowing waters in the Kenai River watershed are closed to fishing for rainbow trout until June 11.

· Fishing for Dolly Varden is open on the mainstem Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the inlet of Skilak Lake. Only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure may be used. The daily bag limit is one Dolly Varden under 18” in length.

Resident Fish — Kasilof River
· Rainbow/steelhead fishing is reported as fair. Anglers putting in enough time to work the holes and drifts have had the best success.

· All rainbow/steelhead trout caught downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge must be immediately released without removing them from the water.

· Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the Kasilof River through May 15.

If you end up fishing the Kenai river area, BE SURE YOU CHECK the regs, they can get REALLY GOOFY Like, fishing is closed on cloudy days without rain, but with rain you can fish, and on Tuesdays only during the hours of 7 and 5 JK of course but, be sure to check, Fish and Game is all over the place there