🚨 2025 Kasilof River Personal Use Gillnet Fishery Season Reduced
📅 Season Dates: June 18 – June 24, 2025
📍 Location: Kasilof River, Northern Kenai
🔴 New Restriction: Shortened season to protect king salmon populations
🔗 Official ADF&G Emergency Order: Click here for full details
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has reduced the season dates for the Kasilof River personal use gillnet fishery to protect early-run Kenai River king salmon and wild king salmon returning to Crooked Creek.
⏳ New 2025 Fishing Season for Kasilof River Gillnet Fishery
✅ Open: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18
🚫 Closes: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24
Fishing hours remain the same as written in regulation, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.
⚠️ Why Is the Kasilof Gillnet Season Being Reduced?
King salmon populations across Cook Inlet are at historic lows, and forecasts indicate continued struggles in 2025. The early-run king salmon return to Crooked Creek is expected to be well below the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700-1,400 fish, meaning without additional restrictions, the run may not recover.
Reducing the personal use gillnet season helps:
✔ Ensure enough naturally-produced king salmon reach Crooked Creek
✔ Prevent overharvesting of wild fish in a struggling population
✔ Support long-term sustainability of Cook Inlet’s fisheries
📝 Important Reminders for 2025 Kasilof River Gillnet Fishery
- Net Restrictions:
- Maximum length: 10 fathoms
- Maximum mesh size: 4 ¾ inches
- Maximum depth: 29 meshes
- Fishing requires:
✅ A 2025 Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use permit
✅ A valid Alaska resident sport fishing license - Only Alaska residents may participate
- Household limits apply across all Upper Cook Inlet personal use fisheries
📌 Always check the latest updates directly from ADF&G:
🔗 ADF&G Emergency Orders
🎣 What Are the Best Alternative Fishing Options?
Even with these season reductions, there are plenty of great fishing opportunities on the Kenai Peninsula:
🎣 Kasilof River Drift Boat Fishing – King and sockeye salmon fishing remains open (with restrictions). Guided drift boat trips with Kenai Fly Fish offer a top-notch fishing experience.
🐟 Homer & Seward Saltwater Fishing – Head to the ocean for halibut, rockfish, and silver salmon.
📞 Have Questions? Contact ADF&G for More Information
📍 Anchorage Office: 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518
📍 Juneau Headquarters: P.O. Box 115526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526
📞 Phill Stacey – Area Management Biologist (907) 260-2920
🔗 Official ADF&G Emergency Order: Click here for full details
📌 Always refer to the ADF&G website for the latest updates:
🔗 ADF&G Emergency Orders
