Kenai Chinook Estimates, Indices and Inseason Run Summaries


Location: Kenai River (Chinook)
Species: Chinook - Early Run
Method: Sonar

The selected years are color-coded in the graphs below:

  • 2026
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
Daily Counts

* graphs are images and may be cached by browser

Cumulative

Description: In 2015 the department began managing Kenai River king salmon runs using an ARIS sonar station located at river mile 14. In 2017 the Department modified the Kenai River king salmon escapement goals from goals based on king salmon of all sizes, to escapement goals based on large king salmon (fish over 34 inches) only. The early-run king salmon optimal escapement goal range is 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon (> 34 inches). In 2020 the late-run king salmon escapement goal was modified to an optimal escapement goal range is 15,000 to 30,000 large king salmon (> 34 inches). The ARIS sonar counts found on this page are the daily and seasonal cumulative passage estimates of the number of large king salmon passing the sonar site. Additionally, the past years counts displayed on this page have been converted to large fish counts for comparison. These estimated numbers of large king salmon passing the sonar site are the primary tool for the Kenai River king salmon assessment program that also includes a sport angler harvest survey, and a netting program. The data gathered in these assessments are used together to determine king salmon run strength. This data in conjunction with Fishery Management Plans, allows fishery managers to determine if emergency order regulation changes to the fisheries are needed during the season to help ensure that the escapement goals are achieved. These abundance assessments as well as information about the status of the run and inseason management actions can be viewed via this website on the above tabs. Information is also available by telephone at (907)262-9097.

Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Early Run: 3,900 - 6,600 (Graphed above)
Optimal Escapement Goal for Chinook - Late Run: 15,000 - 30,000

Contact: Area Management Biologist,
9072602920

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area

46 records returned for the years selected. Dashes indicate days with no count.
[Export results in Excel format or JSON format]

Date
2026
Count
2026
Cumulative
2026
Cumulative
2025
Cumulative
2024
Cumulative
2023
Cumulative
2022
Notes for
2026
06/30 - 0 2,541 1,365 1,975 2,051  
06/29 - 0 2,458 1,323 1,914 2,004  
06/28 - 0 2,386 1,311 1,884 1,980  
06/27 - 0 2,326 1,281 1,793 1,934  
06/26 - 0 2,278 1,251 1,660 1,906  
06/25 - 0 2,214 1,215 1,605 1,864  
06/24 - 0 2,157 1,173 1,541 1,768  
06/23 - 0 2,097 1,137 1,444 1,719  
06/22 - 0 2,085 1,095 1,352 1,625  
06/21 - 0 2,073 1,053 1,316 1,564  
06/20 - 0 1,983 1,035 1,255 1,491  
06/19 - 0 1,911 989 1,152 1,400  
06/18 - 0 1,857 965 1,051 1,276  
06/17 - 0 1,767 941 977 1,188  
06/16 - 0 1,661 868 892 1,103  
06/15 - 0 1,594 802 813 1,030  
06/14 - 0 1,470 760 704 909  
06/13 - 0 1,342 658 589 830  
06/12 - 0 1,170 586 419 708  
06/11 - 0 1,001 496 377 599  
06/10 - 0 885 418 341 530  
06/09 - 0 767 355 305 463  
06/08 - 0 707 319 263 398  
06/07 - 0 627 271 233 356  
06/06 - 0 540 241 221 307  
06/05 - 0 461 181 173 265  
06/04 - 0 346 139 149 235  
06/03 - 0 246 132 137 187  
06/02 - 0 198 114 106 169  
06/01 - 0 138 114 100 120  
05/31 - 0 96 96 46 96  
05/30 - 0 72 84 36 84  
05/29 - 0 48 66 24 72  
05/28 - 0 30 54 24 42  
05/27 - 0 30 36 24 30  
05/26 - 0 30 12 18 12  
05/25 - 0 24 6 18 12  
05/24 - 0 24 6 18 0  
05/23 - 0 24 6 18 0  
05/22 - 0 24 6 18 0  
05/21 - 0 18 6 24 0  
05/20 - 0 6 0 18 0  
05/19 - 0 0 0 6 0  
05/18 - 0 0 0 6 0  
05/17 - 0 0 0 6 0  
05/16 - 0 0 0 6 0  

The data for the estimate graphs is not available. Please try again later.

Weekly Sportfish Fishing Report for this area


Early Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary for Mon. Jul 1

Early Run Kenai River Chinook Inseason Summary

KENAI RIVER EARLY-RUN KING SALMON FINAL 2024 SUMMARY

King Salmon Run Update:

The total estimated passage through June 30 was 1,365 large king salmon (> 75 cm mid-eye-to-tail-fork-length or ~ 34 inches in total length). The return is the lowest on record, ranking 12th out of 12 since 2013. The mid-point of the run occurred on June 14 which is 2 days late when compared to the historical mid-point of June 12. Our netting composition is 50% age-4 and 50% age-5, with very few jacks present.

Neither the optimal escapement goal (3,900 – 6,600) nor the sustainable escapement goal (2,800 – 5,600) were achieved.

This information was compiled based on raw and historical data for inseason management purposes.

Final data is subject to change.