Cook Inlet
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Fish board opens comment on Cook Inlet drift gillnet rules it adopted in March
The Alaska Board of Fisheries opened public comment Thursday on limits for Cook Inlet's commercial drift gillnet fleet that it adopted in March but that never took effect. Comments are due by 11:59 pm Dec. 22.
The limits are meant to get more coho salmon past the fleet to northern Cook Inlet streams, including the Deshka and Little Susitna rivers in the Mat-Su. Fish and Game staff told the board in March that about 90% of the coho the drift fleet catches are headed north. Last month, the board listed Little Susitna coho as a stock of concern.
Under the proposed rules, the fleet would fish mostly in waters off the Kenai and Kasilof rivers from July 16 to 31, for no more than 16 hours a day. Two closures each week would keep it off the water on Tuesdays and Fridays. Extra openings would come only when the Kenai River sockeye run tops 2.3 million fish. In August, the fleet would drop to two days a week sooner if its share of the sockeye catch falls off.
The fleet is now the main commercial harvester of Kenai and Kasilof sockeye, Fish and Game staff say. In March, they estimated the limits could cut its sockeye catch by roughly a million fish in a year like 2024, depending on how the sockeye move into the inlet.
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Stories on what’s next
Public Comment Deadline: State Underground Storage Rights Claim
State proposes giving ENSTAR, not Hilcorp, a lease to store natural gas beneath Kenai
The state is leaning toward ENSTAR, not Hilcorp, to store gas under Kenai, saying Hilcorp turned in about a quarter of the data it asked for. It's not final.
Hilcorp Alaska Cook Inlet ODPCP Public Hearing Request Deadline
Hilcorp seeks renewal of its oil spill plan for 12 Cook Inlet platforms
Hilcorp wants the state to renew its oil spill plan for 12 Cook Inlet platforms and two Kenai Peninsula fields. Public comments are open through Dec. 1.
Written Comments Due: CFEC Beach Seine Fishery Proposal
State commission again proposes letting Cook Inlet setnetters fish beach seines
The Board of Fisheries put Cook Inlet setnetters on beach seines. Their permits don't cover seines. The state's permit commission is trying to change that.
Anchorage Assembly Regular Meeting
Port tops Anchorage's draft 2027 list of state and federal requests
Anchorage's 2027 wish list for Juneau and D.C. starts where it always does: the port. Housing near JBER and Cook Inlet gas come close behind.
Board of Fisheries Lower Cook Inlet Finfish: Written Comment Deadline
Board of Fisheries to weigh closing Homer Spit waters to commercial fishing
Two Board of Fisheries proposals would push commercial fishing back from the Homer Spit, by half a mile or a full mile. The board decides in Seward in December.
Latest
November 2026
Operator of two Cook Inlet crude tankers asks the state to renew their spill plan
Two tankers haul North Slope crude up Cook Inlet to Nikiski about once a month. Their operator wants the state to renew their spill plan. Comments close Dec. 9.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago2 min read
Federal council adds a December look at proposed 2027 Cook Inlet salmon limits
The federal council gets a first look at 2027 Cook Inlet salmon limits in December. This year, the drift fleet caught more than twice its coho limit.
by Maggie AlaskaNews3d ago3 min read
State energy agency says it never talked to firm that listed its power cable as a partner
A firm pitching an undersea AI data center in Cook Inlet called the state's planned power cable a "Strategic Partner." The state says they never talked.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago3 min read
Alaska energy authority faces a $410 million gap for two Railbelt grid projects
Alaska's energy authority wants $142.3 million from lawmakers for a Cook Inlet power cable and still needs $268 million for a Healy line. That's $410 million.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
AIDEA board approves up to $10 million stake in Augustine volcano geothermal project
AIDEA's board OK'd up to $10 million for a stake in a company that wants to tap the heat under Augustine, an active volcano in Cook Inlet. The terms come later.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
NOAA seeks comment on renewing logbook paperwork for Cook Inlet's federal salmon fishery
Cook Inlet drifters fishing federal waters log their sets, catch and GPS spots for NOAA. The agency wants to renew that paperwork and is asking for comment.
by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago2 min read
October 2026
Fish board plans a second vote on Cook Inlet drift limits that never took effect
The fish board voted in March to rein in Cook Inlet's drift fleet. The rules never took effect, and now it'll vote on them again, likely in January.
by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read
Fish board adds eight Upper Cook Inlet king stocks and Little Susitna coho to concern list
The fish board added eight Upper Cook Inlet king runs and Little Susitna coho to its worry list, bringing the inlet's troubled king stocks to 13.
by Bill AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read
More from Cook Inlet
Fish board to weigh how Ninilchik River's kings are counted and caught
Six fish board proposals target Ninilchik kings. Some want anglers keeping more hatchery fish; one wants hatchery hens spawning and only big fish counted.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read
State ends Hilcorp's idle Cook Inlet unit but gives it three years to decide on a restart
The state agreed Wednesday to end the unit around two long-idle Cook Inlet platforms, but gave Hilcorp three more years to decide whether to fire one back up.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min read
Board of Fisheries will weigh Homer Spit net closures and a Kodiak trawl ban
Homer Spit nets, Kodiak trawlers and who gets the last Cook Inlet king are all on the Board of Fisheries' winter menu. Public comments are open now.
by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago3 min read
A second power link to Kenai would run under Cook Inlet
Alaska wants a second power line between Kenai and Anchorage, under Cook Inlet's tides and ice. First it needs builders, and $142.5 million more.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read
Port of Alaska asks federal regulators to shrink Terminal 1 beluga shutdown zone
The Port of Alaska wants the beluga shutdown zone for Terminal 1 pile driving cut from 9,000 meters to 1,300. Federal fisheries regulators will decide.
by Walter AlaskaNews4w ago2 min read
Corps seeks state water quality OK for $402 million Homer harbor to end five-deep rafting
Homer's boats tie up as many as five deep. The Corps wants a $402 million fix, Homer would owe about $170 million, and the math says 77 cents back per dollar.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min readFrom 
East side Cook Inlet setnetters must prove recent fishing to stay in the fishery
East side Cook Inlet setnetters get their own permit area Jan. 1. Want in? Prove you fished there between 2020 and 2024 and apply by Dec. 31.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago3 min read
Feds propose second Cook Inlet oil lease sale on the same terms after first drew no bids
The feds' first Cook Inlet oil lease sale this year drew zero bids. Congress won't let them change the terms, so they're offering the same million acres again.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Coming up
Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee Meeting
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 33398 Ski Hill Road, Soldotna, AK 99669
Meeting
Alaska Board of Fisheries Meeting - Lower Cook Inlet Proposals
Meeting
Lower Cook Inlet Area Finfish Board of Fisheries Meeting
Meeting
Board of Fisheries Lower Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting
Meeting
Lower Cook Inlet Finfish Regulatory Meeting
Hearing
About Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet is a tidal estuary on Alaska's south-central coast, reaching from Anchorage to the Gulf of Alaska. Its waters hold offshore oil and gas platforms, commercial salmon and cod fisheries and an endangered population of beluga whales.
Natural gas from Cook Inlet fields supplies Southcentral homes and utilities, and how long that supply can last is a recurring question, along with gas storage, state leases and spill plans for the platforms. Fisheries managers set limits for drift and set gillnets, seines, cod boats and sport anglers, and the east side setnet fleet has faced years of restrictions. Razor clam closures and coho limits also return.
The inlet borders Anchorage and the Port of Alaska, Kenai Peninsula towns such as Kenai, Nikiski and Homer, and the Susitna River and Mat-Su Valley at its head. The Alaska Board of Fisheries and state oil and gas regulators make many of the decisions that govern its fisheries and fields.
More from Cook Inlet
Ketchikan planners may redo approval for KIC shelter after some neighbors weren't notified
Ketchikan's planned permanent shelter got its parking variance in September. Now the borough may redo the vote because some condo owners were never notified.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
FAA proposes redrawing Anchorage basin airspace and flight paths for JBER's extended runway
The FAA wants to redraw the airspace over the Anchorage basin so JBER can use an instrument landing system on its longer runway. Comments are due Nov. 9.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Federal managers close Central Gulf Pacific cod fishing to pot boats for the rest of 2026
High cod prices helped pull new boats into the Central Gulf pot fishery. Federal managers say the fleet's share is caught or about to be, so it's done for 2026.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Hilcorp seeks to fill Beluga wetlands for gas storage pad under emergency review
Hilcorp seeks emergency permit to fill 2.35 acres of Beluga wetlands for a natural gas storage pad, with public comment open through early November.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
State takes comment on expanding Western Cook Inlet geophysical survey near Beluga
A survey crew wants 9.7 more miles of lines near Beluga, with dynamite charges set in hand-drilled holes. The state is taking comments until Oct. 21.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Invasive pike may use Cook Inlet to reach new watersheds, ADF&G biologist says
Pike were thought to avoid salt water, but some appear to have crossed Cook Inlet. A state biologist explains how in Fish and Game's October podcast.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Prince William Sound parallel cod season closes to pot gear at noon Wednesday
Alaska closes pot fishing for Pacific cod in Prince William Sound at noon Wednesday, Oct. 7, following a federal season closure, while longline and jig seasons stay open.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Regulators cut Hilcorp's Kenai gas storage rates up to 31% while they investigate
Regulators cut Hilcorp's Kenai gas storage fees up to 31% after its own study showed it was overcollecting. Whether your utility bill notices is another matter.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Kenai City Council to vote on intervening in federal review of Cook Inlet undersea data center
Kenai's council votes Wednesday on intervening in the federal review of a plan for 66 undersea data pods and 350 tidal turbines off the East Foreland.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Cook Inlet Tribal Council seeks builder for $36.5 million east Anchorage center
Cook Inlet Tribal Council opened bidding Wednesday on a $36.5 million east Anchorage cultural center with child care, gym, and showers, but has not disclosed its funding source.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Cook Inlet Tribal Council gets $262,483 federal grant for Anchorage parenting program
Cook Inlet Tribal Council received $262,483 to expand Parent's Journey, a 20-year parenting program in Anchorage serving Native families who make up 66% of children in out-of-home care there.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
September 2026
Feds select Anchorage company to drill geothermal test well on Augustine volcano
The feds picked an Anchorage company to drill a geothermal test well on Augustine, the Cook Inlet volcano. Tapping a volcano for power: very Alaska.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom 
Judge upholds permit for Contango's Johnson Tract road after company finished building it
A judge upheld the permit for Contango's road and bridges at the Johnson Tract in Lake Clark. By then, the company had already finished building them.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readFrom 
Comments due Oct. 23 on Alaska's 2027 Cook Inlet and Alaska Peninsula oil and gas lease sales
Want the right to challenge the state's next Cook Inlet and Alaska Peninsula oil and gas lease sales? Comment by Oct. 23, or forever hold your appeal.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Public comment is open on Cook Inlet subsea data-center plan
Comments close Nov. 2 on a proposed tidal-powered subsea data center off Nikiski. The permit would authorize study, not construction.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Governor candidates split over how to close Southcentral gas gap
All four candidates want more Cook Inlet gas. They differ over lease enforcement, production incentives, tax stability and power diversification.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min read
MEA seeks new power supply as its Hilcorp gas contract winds down
MEA is shopping for new power supply before its Hilcorp gas contract ends in 2029, and asking members how they feel about data centers arriving.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Cook Inlet gas storage at 69.5% as winter nears, with one field shut in for maintenance
Southcentral's gas storage fields are still filling and sending nothing out, at 69.5 percent full with winter coming and Enstar 3 Bcf short.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Alaska governor candidates agree on Permanent Fund, split on taxes
Taylor and Bronson opposed broad new taxes; Kreiss-Tomkins backed targeted revenue as three candidates compared fiscal, energy and workforce plans
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago4 min read
A fishing advocate warns Kenai over an undersea Cook Inlet data center
A fishing advocate told the Kenai council the federal application for an undersea data center off Nikiski has no thermal modeling, in endangered beluga habitat.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Cook Inlet Tribal Council runs free career classes toward certification
Cook Inlet Tribal Council runs free 90-minute career classes at its Anchorage campus, each counting toward its ARCTIC Workforce Certification, with Developing a Leadership Mindset repeating at noon Sept. 22 and Sept. 29.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read
Senate panel will take up Native housing bill co-sponsored by both Alaska senators
The law that funds housing in Alaska Native villages is up for renewal. Overcrowding there runs about double the rate on tribal lands nationally.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Judge upholds federal permit for mining access inside Lake Clark National Park
A judge upheld the permit for a road, airstrip and tunnel inside Lake Clark park. The test was whether the Corps was arbitrary, not whether it was right.
by Maggie AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min read
Anchorage put $100,000 into five public art projects, Hillside mural among them
Anchorage is putting $100,000 into five public art projects, including a Hillside mural its arts commission ranked first among eight applicants.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min read