Kenai sport fish guide to pay $35,000, see jail time for violations

For his crimes of illegally guiding out-of-state anglers and violating several state fishing laws, a Kenai man was sentenced Friday to pay fines and serve jail time.

William “Buck” Hollandsworth, an unlicensed Kenai River sport fishing guide was first contacted by park rangers in 2017, according to the Alaska Department of Law.

His misdemeanor counts included guiding groups in the Kenai River Special Management Area despite having no license, allowing clients to fish with bait where prohibited, operating unregistered boats after 6 p.m., and allowing clients to catch over the daily limit of king salmon.

Rangers were aware that Hollandsworth had been acting as an unlicensed guide for some time, DOL stated. Rangers previously seized the aluminum Wooldridge boat, trailer, and all fishing gear and electronics on the vessel.

In the sentencing, Hollandsworth will have to forfeit that property, as well as pay a $35,000 fine.

In addition to the property and money, Hollandsworth was ordered to serve 30 days in jail with 20 suspended, and be placed on probation for one year during which time he may not fish and may not be in a boat on the Kenai River with anyone else fishing.

General Aaron Peterson, assistant attorney general with DOL, said, “This is one of the only places on earth where residents can drive a short distance from their home and fish for large wild king salmon.”

“That will only remain true if management is taken seriously and punishment for violating the regulations designed to ensure healthy populations are severe,” Peterson said.