Just as three rivers on the Kenai Peninsula are set to reopen to sport fishing next week, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued more restrictions for sport anglers today/Friday.
The department issued two emergency orders, restricting fishing on the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers and Stariski and Deep creeks to one single, un-baited hook or lure. The department is also restricting fishing for king salmon in conservation boundaries near the mouth of Stariski Creek and the Anchor and Nilnilchik rivers.
The conservation areas are closed to all fishing April 1 through July 15. While king fishing will remain closed in those areas, all three will open up to fishing for other species Monday. You can find a description of each boundary in the Fish and Game’s 2018 regulation book
Both emergency orders run July 16 through July 31.
Fish and Game says both orders are due to poor king salmon returns to lower Cook Inlet streams. The department closed the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers and Deep Creek to all sport fishing because of low king numbers earlier this year.
Those restrictions will also be lifted Monday, but fishing for kings in the Anchor River and Deep Creek will be closed by regulation. However, anglers will be allowed to retain one hatchery king, 20 inches or longer, per day on the Ninilchik River.