Bait allowed for early-run Kenai River Kings

THE LOG STAFF

June 05, 2008 at 2:46PM AKST

Sufficient numbers of early-run king salmon entering the Kenai River means prompted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to give the go-ahead for bait.

Anglers could bait their hooks approximately 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers to the mouth of the Kenai River beginning 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 1.

All other Kenai River special provisions, methods and means, and bag and possession limits remain in effect. Anglers may only use one single-pointed hook and keep only those king salmon less than 46 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. All others must be released immediately.

The Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Management Plan directs the Fish and Game to achieve a spawning escapement goal of 5,300 to 9,000 king salmon.

The department projects a total inriver run of early-run king salmon of approximately 11,000 to 19,000 fish and a spawning escapement within the escapement goal.

The management plan directs the department to liberalize the fishery to increase the harvest of king salmon by allowing the use of bait in the mainstem of the Kenai River.