Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries


Location: Kenai River (Chinook)
Species: Chinook - Late Run
Method: Sonar

The selected years are color-coded in the graphs below:

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
Daily Counts
Cumulative

Description: In 2015 the department began managing Kenai River king salmon runs using an ARIS sonar station located at river mile 14. In 2017 the Department modified the Kenai River king salmon escapement goals from goals based on king salmon of all sizes, to escapement goals based on large king salmon (fish over 34 inches) only. The early-run king salmon optimal escapement goal range is 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon (> 34 inches). In 2020 the late-run king salmon escapement goal was modified to an optimal escapement goal range is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (> 34 inches). The ARIS sonar counts found on this page are the daily and seasonal cumulative passage estimates of the number of large king salmon passing the sonar site. Additionally, the past years counts displayed on this page have been converted to large fish counts for comparison. These estimated numbers of large king salmon passing the sonar site are the primary tool for the Kenai River king salmon assessment program that also includes a sport angler harvest survey, and a netting program. The data gathered in these assessments are used together to determine king salmon run strength. This data in conjunction with Fishery Management Plans, allows fishery managers to determine if emergency order regulation changes to the fisheries are needed during the season to help ensure that the escapement goals are achieved. These abundance assessments as well as information about the status of the run and inseason management actions can be viewed via this website on the above tabs. Information is also available by telephone at (907)262-9097.

Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Early Run: 3,900 - 6,600
Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Late Run: 15,000 - 30,000 (Graphed above)

Contact: Northern Kenai Sport Fish Area Manager,
(907) 260-2920

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

51 records returned for the years selected. Dashes indicate days with no count.
[Export results in Excel format or JSON format]

Date
2023		 Count
2023		 Cumulative
2023		 Cumulative
2022		 Cumulative
2021		 Cumulative
2020		 Cumulative
2019		 Notes for
2023
Aug-20 - 0 13,425 11,832 11,499 11,868  
Aug-19 - 0 13,425 11,754 11,486 11,747  
Aug-18 - 0 13,338 11,656 11,413 11,723  
Aug-17 - 0 13,253 11,486 11,292 11,687  
Aug-16 - 0 13,124 11,419 11,062 11,571  
Aug-15 - 0 12,961 11,279 10,813 11,413  
Aug-14 - 0 12,779 11,151 10,491 11,298  
Aug-13 - 0 12,567 10,884 10,254 11,074  
Aug-12 - 0 12,257 10,684 10,066 11,013  
Aug-11 - 0 11,887 10,491 9,867 10,898  
Aug-10 - 0 11,626 10,303 9,719 10,753  
Aug-09 - 0 11,407 9,757 9,616 10,629  
Aug-08 - 0 11,270 9,248 9,483 10,538  
Aug-07 - 0 11,124 8,872 9,325 10,410  
Aug-06 - 0 10,875 8,419 9,185 10,198  
Aug-05 - 0 10,487 8,064 8,827 10,059  
Aug-04 - 0 10,024 7,747 8,494 9,889  
Aug-03 - 0 9,711 7,504 8,089 9,586  
Aug-02 - 0 9,377 6,729 7,932 9,434  
Aug-01 - 0 9,001 6,420 7,647 9,258  
Jul-31 - 0 8,686 6,189 7,465 9,118  
Jul-30 - 0 8,189 5,818 7,112 8,906  
Jul-29 - 0 7,825 5,636 6,681 8,615  
Jul-28 - 0 7,394 5,296 6,456 8,373  
Jul-27 - 0 7,077 5,077 6,019 8,118  
Jul-26 - 0 6,531 4,864 5,692 7,876  
Jul-25 - 0 6,136 4,610 5,438 7,543  
Jul-24 - 0 5,675 4,452 5,146 7,213  
Jul-23 - 0 5,329 4,270 4,970 6,849  
Jul-22 - 0 4,927 4,142 4,787 6,473  
Jul-21 - 0 4,539 3,953 4,520 5,970  
Jul-20 - 0 4,142 3,717 4,164 5,424  
Jul-19 - 0 3,832 3,207 3,879 4,921  
Jul-18 - 0 3,419 2,872 3,615 4,551  
Jul-17 - 0 2,982 2,581 3,404 4,132  
Jul-16 - 0 2,655 2,363 3,153 3,647  
Jul-15 - 0 2,352 2,113 2,941 3,343  
Jul-14 - 0 2,147 1,871 2,680 3,021  
Jul-13 - 0 1,890 1,714 2,220 2,657  
Jul-12 - 0 1,751 1,538 1,699 2,397  
Jul-11 - 0 1,597 1,423 1,407 2,067  
Jul-10 - 0 1,475 1,303 1,249 1,734  
Jul-09 - 0 1,162 1,121 989 1,455  
Jul-08 - 0 950 994 831 1,252  
Jul-07 - 0 731 812 728 1,053  
Jul-06 - 0 537 709 583 890  
Jul-05 - 0 404 606 407 630  
Jul-04 - 0 307 515 304 473  
Jul-03 - 0 222 369 219 314  
Jul-02 - 0 172 253 146 235  
Jul-01 - 0 123 140 73 97  

Non-Sonar Tools

Late Run Netting Project CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at river mile 8.6.

Late Run Sport CPUE Index

The Sport Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon in the lower Kenai River and is based on the success rate of anglers fishing downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge Crossing in Soldotna.

Late Run Netting Project Large Fish CPUE Index

The Net Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) is an index of the numbers of Chinook salmon moving into the Kenai River and is based on the rate at which Chinook salmon are captured by the netting project conducted at the sonar station located at river mile 8.6.

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

Late Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary for Thu. Jul 2

King Salmon Run Update:

Estimation of the late-run began on July 1, the daily estimated passage was 73 king salmon. The preseason forecast is for approximately 22,700 large fish which is well below average. In response to the low forecast, a very weak early-run, and general performance of king salmon runs throughout Cook Inlet, ADF&G restricted the king salmon fishery downstream of the lower Slikok Creek markers by prohibiting the use of bait and multiple hooks and limiting harvest to only king salmon less than 34 inches in length may be retained. King salmon fishing upstream from ADF&G markers downstream of Slikok Creek to the outlet of Skilak Lake will remain closed through July 31, 2020 as directed in regulation under the Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-run King Salmon Management Plan.

The next inseason summary will be updated July 9.

Fishery Update:

Fishing success was reported as slow yesterday on the opener and water conditions are good for this time of year. Data collected from the netting program indicates below average CPUE’s for catch of all sizes of king salmon through the early-run and catches were slow yesterday. The creel survey has resumed as of yesterday and information from that program will be available next week.

The preseason outlook for the 2020 late-run can be found at:

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/fishing/pdfs/sport/byarea/southcentral/2020KenaiLateRunOutlook.pdf.

Water Conditions: 

Water levels as of July 2 in the Kenai River are below average in the upper river and average in the lower river. Water temperature is average.

CFS at Soldotna Bridge was 10,800 and 8.66 ft

CFS at Skilak Lake Outlet was 9,340 and 10.36 ft

CFS at Cooper Landing was 4,940 and 9.82 ft

Water Temperature was 51 degrees Fahrenheit at the sonar site.

This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.

Final data is subject to change.