Dipnetting on Kenai closes, but flossing for reds remains consistent
The Fishing Report: Over half a million late-run reds have been counted on the Kenai River in the last week
STERLING, Alaska (KTUU) - With dipnetting season coming to a close with July on the Kenai Peninsula, anglers are trading out their fish nets for fly rods as sockeyes continue their way up the river.
Flossing for reds has been pretty consistent this week, with escapement numbers hovering in the 60,000-70,000 range.
The steady count pales in comparison to the season high on July 17, when over 190,000 late run reds were recorded by the Alaska Department of Fish Game making their way up the river, but has still proven fruitful to individuals looking to stock their freezers using other methods.
Escapement numbers are up this year compared to the last four, with over 1.6 million fish entering Kenai waters so far, as opposed to the 680,000 fish that were counted around this same time in 2020.
Anglers on the lower Kenai River were out in full force this week, with bag limits of six sockeye per day, 12 in possession.
Over half a million late-run reds — 573,004 to be exact — were counted in the last seven days alone, but numbers are beginning to trend downward, with just under 46,000 passing through on July 31, about a third of the amount that was counted the week prior.
The fishing on the lower Kenai slows at times, but as schools begin passing through, each cast provides an opportunity for anglers to land an Alaska staple on the dinner table.
Be sure to keep up to date on regulations and emergency orders through the ADF&G’s website.
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