Area Sport Fishing Reports
Northern Kenai

August 21, 2026

Freshwater Fishing

• Kasilof River
  • Coho salmon fishing has been picking up recently and fishing is fair. Anglers have been having success casting spoons, spinners, and pulling plugs.
  • The Old Kasilof Landing SRS Site development is complete and open to the public.
• Kenai River
  • Coho salmon fishing has been fair to good, with limits being caught. Pink salmon are being caught in the Lower Kenai. Casting spoons, size 4 spinners, and twitching marabou jigs under a slip bobber setup are producing.
  • Kenai River (late-run sockeye) sonar counts have ceased for the year.
  • Reminder, the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon downstream of Skilak Lake returned to 3 per day, 6 in possession on August 16th.
  • Trout fishing is good on the Kenai River. Beads, flesh flies, and leeches are producing. The bead bite is picking up from Sportsman’s Landing downstream to Jim’s Landing. Larger Dolly Varden are starting to show up.
• Russian River
  • Trout fishing on the Russian River has been good. Beads, small flesh flies, and nymphs are producing well.
  • Coho salmon have started to trickle in.
• Quartz Creek has been a popular destination to pick up Dolly Varden and a few rainbow trout. Try various 6mm and 8mm beads and small flesh flies.

Personal Use Fishing

Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use fishing is closed for the season. Permit holders must report participation and harvest, whether or not they fished, online no later than August 31 through the ADF&G harvest reporting webpage.

Saltwater Fishing

Shoreline fishing success from local beaches have been variable, but with generally good reports of halibut and various other species being caught. Spiny dogfish have been numerous and problematic while targeting halibut.

Local Lakes

Local stocked lakes continue to fish well. Try Rainbow Lake off Snug Harbor Road.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-RS-1-31-26 increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession; however, no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon, in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 26 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Soldotna Office at 907-262-9368