Fishing Report: Welcome to the Alaskan Fish Guides fishing report. My intention is to update this periodically, as the fishing heats up to keep you up to date with what is happening in my neck of the woods.
First of all, please note that many of the fishable waters of the Kenai will close to sport fishing beginning 12:01 a.m. on May 2. This is a new regulation imposed by the Fish Board to close the "dolly varden" fishing loophole that is resulting in incidental harm and harassment of spawning rainbows. I support this regulation because it helps to preserve the vulnerable, world class trophy rainbow trout of the Kenai River. The area that is closed to fishing on the Kenai is from the Upper Killey River to the outlet of Skilak Lake. Additionally, the entire upper Kenai River will be closed. This is the area between Skilak Lake and Kenai Lake. Also closed are the many tributaries of the Kenai watershed. These waters will re-open to sport fishing on June 11.
While most of the area lakes are still covered with ice, they are no longer safe for travel. This is the time of year that the thickness, consisency and thus the strength of the ice is unpredictable. Normally, the lakes begin to break up some time in the beginning of May.
While the Kenai watershed is closing to fishing, there are opportunities on the Kasilof River, however due to remaining bank ice and low water, the fishing is difficult and potentially dangerous. Most fishing opportunity is in the ‘slack water’ area immediately below the Tustumena Lake outlet. Fishing is slow, although a few lake trout and Dolly Varden have been caught. It is also possible to find a few straggling steelhead.
The king salmon will begin their return very soon. There are always reports of the first king on the Kenai by the last week of April. And, don't forget that the world record fish was caught on the Kenai on May 17! So, it is certainly within the realm of possibilities. The Kenai also has a considerable amount of bank ice and the water is still quite low as well.
I am expecting king fishing on the Kasilof to be more predictable and consistent sometime around the middle of May. There are also some regulation changes for the Kasilof where you can retain 2 hatchery fish (no adipose fin) per day. On native days (Tue, Thur, and Sat), you can keep one native and one hatchery fish. Bait opens on the Kasilof on May 15.
So, that is what I know today. Be sure to check back often for updates. Also, as I type this report up, I still have some prime time seats available for king fishing on the Kenai. I am expecting these seats to fill quckly, so call or write soon to book your seats.
Captain Ed French
Alaskan Fish Guides
http://www.alaskanfishguides.com
866-945-3474
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