(Homer) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from five fish to two fish in the Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00' N. lat.) and is closing king salmon fishing within one mile of shore in Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point. These regulatory changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022. See the map below. All other sport fishing regulations outlined in the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet (available March 2022) for Cook Inlet salt waters remain the same.

“With preseason restrictions to most Cook Inlet king salmon sport fisheries in fresh waters, these paired restrictions should limit the harvest of Kenai Peninsula and Susitna River early-run and late-run stocks when they are moving through these saltwater areas,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Fishing for other species in this area will not be affected by these restrictions and anglers will still be able to harvest king salmon south of Bluff Point.”

In conjunction with these restrictions, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-11-22 restricts sport fishing for king salmon to catch-and-release only and gear is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure during the dates open to king salmon fishing in the Anchor River and Deep Creek. These changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 21 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022. In addition, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-12-22 changes the bag and possession limits in the Ninilchik River drainage to two hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length during the Memorial Day weekend (May 28 - 30), and the following two weekends and Mondays following each weekend (June 4 - 6 and June 11 - 13), the Youth-Only Fishery (June 8), and continuously seven days a week starting June 16. Bait will be allowed in the Ninilchik River, but gear is restricted to one single-hook. The gear restrictions are effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m., Friday July 15, 2022. The bag and possession limits are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2022. Please review these emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes.

King salmon escapement monitoring will begin in May on the Anchor, Kenai, and Ninilchik rivers. As the runs progress, run strength will be evaluated to determine inseason management actions.

For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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