Measuring Chinook

Question:

Since we technically aren't allowed to bring them into our kayaks, what is the best method to measure a Chinook? They're bodies are bent when they're in the net which makes it difficult.

Yesterday I used the butt end of my trolling rod to guesstimate the size of one I caught and released to be about 20".

Question:

Since we technically aren't allowed to bring them into our kayaks, what is the best method to measure a Chinook? They're bodies are bent when they're in the net which makes it difficult.

Yesterday I used the butt end of my trolling rod to guesstimate the size of one I caught and released to be about 20".

If I think it needs to be measured I let it go, but that's me. You can't take wild fish over the gunwale, but you can hatchery fish. Just make sure the adipose is clipped before you yeet it in the kayak.

Alaska is getting more and more size restrictions in some fisheries, including the once world famous Kenai king salmon, which in the early run is limited to retaining <34".  The July run use to have a max. 55 inch keeper limit. Not any more since a 55 inch king on this river is very rare nowadays...or extinct.

Guides and private boats would tape a measuring tape on the side of their boat just above the waterline. Of course we all used appropriate sized nets that would allow the fish to be 'stretched' out its full length and then pull it up next to the hull. You can buy a cheap sewing measuring tape and use two sided tape to attach it to the side of your kayak and peel it off anytime you want.

With other species in your area having size limits the measuring tape may come in handy on a number of occasions.

A couple of sharpie marks on the rail or side will give you a rough measure. If it looks close, take workhard's advice and let it go.