Kasilof sockeye limits upped to 6 and 12
Fishing August 3, 2018 Lee Leschper
Peninsula anglers who are out in the cold since the Kenai was shut down for sockeye fishing can switch gears the Kasilof. The Kasilof bag limit goes to 6 per day and 12 in possession beginning Saturday.
The smaller and arguably harder-to-fish neighbor to the south of the Kenai has been blowing out its sockeye forecast, just as the Kenai fails miserably.
“Due to a good run of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is increasing the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon 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., Saturday, August 4, 2018, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 31, 2018.
“The poor sockeye salmon return to the Kenai River this year has impacted a lot of people,” stated Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller. “However, there is still an opportunity for anglers to get out and fish for sockeye salmon on the Kasilof River.”
The biological escapement goal on the Kasilof River is 160,000-340,000 sockeye salmon. As of August 2, 2018, a total of 316,500 sockeye salmon have passed the Kasilof River sonar site. The current escapement level of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the biological escapement goal.
