KENAI RIVER FISHING GUIDES
The Kenai River in South-central Alaska has long been the crown jewel of Alaska salmon & trout fishing. Easily accessible via a very scenic three-hour drive south from Anchorage, the Kenai River flows from the Kenai Mountain Range via Kenai and Skilak Lakes. Along its one hundred plus mile journey to the saltwater at Cook Inlet, the Kenai traverses some incredible landscapes and supports one of the most prolific sport fisheries in North America. Home to king, sockeye, silver & pink salmon along with native rainbow trout, dolly varden char, and steelhead, Kenai River fishing really has it all.
8 OF THE 10 LARGEST KING SALMON
were caught on the Kenai and the 97 lb. World Record King was caught on the Kenai River in 1985.
KENAI RIVER SOCKEYE SALMON
have two distinct returns. Early run arrives in June, late run in July.
SILVER SALMON ARIVE
in the Kenai River in late July and are in the river in catchable numbers by the 2nd week of August.
RAINBOW TROUT & DOLLY VARDEN
are found in abundance. Larger Kenai River Rainbows can exceed 30 inches.
BOOK YOUR KENAI RIVER FISHING TRIP NOW
Kenai Peninsula Sport Fishing Species
Deciding when to visit really depends on what you want to catch. All of the salmon species return at different times during the summer so when planning an Alaska fishing trip it is helpful to study the run timing and if possible plan your trip around peak dates for the species you wish to target.
The Kenai Peninsula receives four of the five pacific salmon species including kings, sockeye, silvers, and pinks. From May through October there is always a worthwhile fishing adventure to pursue.
King (Chinook) Salmon Fishing
May-July Kenai
Kasilof Rivers
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Sockeye (Red) Salmon Fishing
June – August Kenai
Kasilof Rivers
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Silver (Coho) Salmon Fishing
August – October Kenai
Kasilof Rivers
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Pink (Humpy) Salmon Fishing
August (Even Years Only)
Kenai River
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Rainbow Trout / Dolly Varden Fishing
June – October
Kenai River
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Steelhead Salmon Fishing
September – October
Kasilof, Deep Creek, Anchor River
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Kenai River Species Runs & Peaks
KENAI RIVER FISHING: BY MONTH
For many Alaska visitors, fishing may not be the number one priority. Perhaps you are touring several different areas of the state and are only here for one day. Or maybe you are here with family and not everyone wants to spend 24/7 on the water. If just one or two days of fishing is all you are looking for, fishing with our Kenai River fishing guides is the perfect package for you! These Alaska fishing trips are both economical and diverse offering a wide variety of angling experiences throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Beginning in May and spanning well into October and even November, there is always something exciting to pursue. From the Kenai to the Kasilof Rivers, to floatplane destinations on the west side of Cook Inlet, to saltwater adventures from Homer, Seward, and Ninilchik, we are literally surrounded by angling opportunities.
To make it easy for you to see what the best Alaska fishing options are during different months of the season we have them all listed for you right here!
• May: Steelhead, Kings, Halibut.
• June: Kings, Sockeye, Halibut, Trout.
• July: Kings, Sockeye, Silvers, Pinks (even years) Trout, Halibut, Ling Cod, Rock Fish.
• August: Sockeye, Silvers, Pinks (even years) Trout, Halibut, Ling Cod, Rock Fish.
• September: Silvers, Trout, Steelhead, Halibut
• October: Silvers, Trout, Steelhead, Halibut
June
Kings, Sockeye, Halibut, Trout
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July
Kings, Sockeye, Silvers, Pinks (even years) Trout, Halibut, Ling Cod, Rock Fish
READ MORE
August
Sockeye, Silvers, Pinks (even years), Trout & Halibut, Ling Cod, Rock Fish
READ MORE
September
Silvers, Trout, Steelhead & Halibut
READ MORE
October
Silvers, Trout, Steelhead, & Halibut
READ MORE
The three main sections for Kenai River Fishing
The Kenai River is the longest river on the Kenai Peninsula. It originates from Kenai Lake in the Kenai Mountain Range near Cooper Landing.
Lower Kenai River Fishing
Soldotna
to Cook Inlet
From the town of Soldotna to tide water is known as the “Lower Kenai River”, and this section sees the highest volume of boats angling for kings in May, June and July as well as silver salmon in August and September.
Middle Kenai River Fishing
Skilak Lake
to Soldotna
The 20 miles below Skilak Lake to the city of Soldotna is referred to as the “Middle Kenai River”. The middle is very popular for rainbow trout and dolly varden but is also very good, at times, for kings, sockeye, silvers and pinks.
Upper Kenai River Fishing
Cooper Landing
to Skilak Lake
From Cooper Landing, the river narrows and flows nearly 20 miles before emptying into Skilak Lake. This section of the river is popularly known as the “Upper Kenai River” and is primarily fished with drift boats, targeting rainbow trout and dolly varden.
FAQ’s
Can you fish the Kenai River without a guide
Yes you can fish the Kenai River without a guide but your success will depend heavily on the species of fish you are targeting. Sockeye are the most bank friendly salmon to catch as they run along the edges of the river and are best caught from the shoreline. There are several public access points to fish the Kenai River from shore including Bings Landing, Izaak Walton, Moose Meadows, Rotary Park, Swiftwater Park, Soldotna Creek Park, Centennial Park, Big Eddy, Eagle Rock and Cunningham Park. Other species such kings, silvers and rainbow trout are best fished from a boat and therefore using a guide will be much more productive.
Where is the best fishing on the Kenai River?
The Kenai River has very good fishing throughout its 82-mile length but as a general rule, the best fishing for fresh salmon will be closer to where they enter from Cook Inlet and the towns of Kenai and Soldotna. Some salmon species such as sockeye and silvers move upriver very fast and are still very fresh many miles from the ocean. One they reach their spawning grounds and begin to color up and they are not considered good to eat. Trout fishing is good throughout the entire river system with the best fishing occurring in areas where spawning salmon are present as they are feeding on the loose spawn as well as the decomposing carcasses from expired salmon.
What is the best time to fish the Kenai River in Alaska?
The best time to fish the Kenai all depends on the species you are targeting. Sockeye salmon fishing is best in mid to late June for Russian River bound sockeye and in July and early August for Late Run Kenai River Sockeye. Silver Fishing is best in August and September. Pink salmon fishing is best in August, but they are only present in high numbers on even years.
Trout Fishing is most productive in the fall months of August, September and October when the salmon are spawning as they are feeding on loose salmon eggs that did not make it into the gravel as well as deceased salmon carcasses.
What salmon are running in the Kenai River now?
Kings and sockeye salmon are the first to enter the Kenai River and run from May into August. Silvers and pink salmon (even years only) return starting in late July and into August, September and October.
What is the biggest fish caught in the Kenai River?
The world record king salmon was caught in the Kenai River on May 17, 1985 and it weighed 97.4 lbs. Eight of the largest ten king salmon ever caught on rod and reel were landed in the Kenai River.
Can you use bait on the Kenai River?
Kenai River bait restrictions vary according to the time of year and location. Bait is not allowed on the Kenai River until the conclusion of the king salmon return and at the earliest is allowed beginning on August 16. There are some years when the bait closure is extended through August and does not open until September 1. Emergency orders regarding the use of bait are issued in season by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and are imposed based on escapement numbers and other in season indices that determine run strength for various salmon species.
What lures to use on the Kenai River?
The different lures used on the Kenai River vary according to the species that are being targeted. Popular lures for king salmon include diving plus such as Kwik fish, Flatfish, Wiggle Warts and Spin n Glows with cured salmon eggs (when allowed) backtrolled behind jet divers. For sockeye, coho flies and bare hooks with yarn or a small bead are popular. For silvers and pink salmon, spinners such as Blue Fox Vibrax, Mepps, or Pixies as well as diving plugs such as Mag Lips or Kwik Fish are very popular and effective. Silvers and Pinks are also regularly caught using cured salmon eggs, jigs and on a variety of flies.
How many salmon can you keep on the Kenai River?
All the different salmon have different limits and limits vary according to species, month and escapement goals. In general, the sockeye salmon limit is six fish per person, per day (June 20-Aug15) and three fish per person, per day outside those dates. The silver salmon limit is two fish per person, per day in August and three fish per person, per day in September and October. King salmon fishing on the Kenai River is closed for the foreseeable future.
How much is a fishing license in Alaska?
A non-resident fishing license costs 1 day: $15, 3 days: $30, 7 days: $45, 14 days: $75, and Annual: $100.
Why is the Kenai River so blue?
The Kenai River has a blue turquoise color due to the fine glacial silt that permeates its flow. Born from glacial melt, snow melt and rainwater, the Kenai River sediment is made up of pulverized minerals crushed by glaciers. When light reflects against this fine sediment in the water it gives off a distinct turquoise green and blue hue and this is what gives the Kenai River water its unique appearance.
What is the best rod for sockeye fishing?
A variety of fishing rods will work well for sockeye salmon fishing but the post popular include a 8 0r 9wt. fly rod or a 8.5 to 9.5 foot 15-25lb. test baitcasting rod. Kenai River sockeye are much larger than other sockeye found throughout Alaska and the Kenai is a larger river that requires a significant amount of weight to effectively get to the bottom so a heavier rod is required.
How to fish for sockeye on the Kenai?
Sockeye salmon feed primarily on zooplankton and other invertebrates in the ocean and therefore do not chase and kill bait fish that attempt to elude them. Therefore, they do not have the same aggressive tendencies that other salmon have and do not readily strike lures. Most successful sockeye salmon anglers use a bare hook and line or floss them in the mouth using a weight and a long leader. Sockeye salmon typically run very close to shore so fishing from the bank is the most effective.
