Troopers cite 19 anglers on the Kenai and Kasilof for failing to release snagged fish

Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited 19 anglers on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers between July 22 and Aug. 9, 18 of them for failing to release snagged fish, with 18 fish seized and donated to charity.

Snagging, hooking a fish anywhere other than the mouth, is illegal in all fresh waters of Alaska. The Department of Fish and Game's Kenai River angling brochure says foul-hooked fish must be released immediately. Troopers treat the violation as a minor offense, with fines and costs generally about $100 to $250 including surcharges.

On Aug. 5, troopers cited a 39-year-old Bluffdale, Utah, man for allegedly failing to release a snagged fish from the Kenai River and seized a sockeye, which was donated to charity. The department posted that dispatch Saturday. The charge is an accusation.

Every account here is the troopers' own, taken from department dispatches, which record no response from any cited angler.