ADF&G opens Upper Cook Inlet drift gillnet fishery Thursday as Kasilof sockeye blow past goal

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened Upper Cook Inlet to commercial drift gillnet fishing Thursday after Kasilof River sockeye escapement blew past the upper end of its biological goal and Kenai River projections pointed toward a run as large as 1.3 million fish.

Emergency Order 2-F-H-20-26 sets a single 12-hour window: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, limited to the Expanded Kasilof, Expanded Kenai, and Anchor Point sections of the Central District. Boats cannot fish within two miles of the Kenai Peninsula shoreline under the Kenai River Late-run King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan, a standing restriction that shapes where the drift fleet can legally set gear. Fishermen should also check with the appropriate federal agency regarding fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Numbers Behind the Opener

ADF&G cited these figures in support of the opener. Kasilof River cumulative sockeye escapement reached 539,323 fish as of July 20, against a biological escapement goal range of 140,000 to 320,000 fish, with a mean run timing projection of approximately 900,000 sockeye salmon. The Kenai River sonar estimate stood at 210,755 fish on the same date, with a projected inriver run ranging from 900,000 to 1.3 million sockeye depending on run timing.

ADF&G paired the opener with geographic limits and the shoreline closure, targeting abundant sockeye while protecting weaker king salmon stocks. The Kenai River sport king fishery has been closed entirely for the 2026 season due to poor returns, and the shoreline buffer keeps commercial gear away from the river mouth.

This is the latest in a series of inseason openings ADF&G has authorized since late June as both the Kasilof and Kenai runs have tracked well above their escapement goals. The 2026 Upper Cook Inlet sockeye forecast called for roughly 7.6 million fish total, with the Kenai River alone projected at 4.45 million.

Reporting Requirements

All harvested salmon must be reported on a fish ticket whether sold or kept for personal use, per 5 AAC 39.130(c)(7). Fishermen should record Area 1 under statistical code 244-70 or the corridor sections under 244-57. Lucas Stumpf, Acting Area Management Biologist at the Soldotna ADF&G office, is the contact for permit and reporting questions at 907-262-9368.