Kenai River Fishing

Just mention the word 'Kenai' and anglers worldwide conjure up images of huge king salmon ... and rightfully so! The river is home to the largest strain of king salmon in the world. The current world record king salmon of over 97 lbs. came from the river in May, 1985.
King salmon fishing on the Kenai is a trophy fishery. Generally speaking, the Kenai cannot be considered an 'action' fishery. However, for anglers looking for a chance at hooking into monstrous kings, this is the world's premier river. There is little question that someday, a king over 100 pounds will be boated in this river.
The world famous Kenai River King Salmon
The river's king salmon average between 30 and 40 pounds with occasional catches of fish to 60 or 70 pounds ... and every so often, lucky anglers hook into fish that run 80 pounds or more!
The Kenai is also home to an enormous run of sockeye, or red salmon. Although there is a smaller run that passes through the river in the latter half of June headed for the immensely popular Russian River fishery, the much larger run of sockeye salmon in the second half of July is the run that mainstem anglers target. Some years, more than one million sockeye return to the river!
Many anglers choose to go fishing for reds on their own, although our trips for late-run sockeye grow more popular every season.
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon
As is the case in most Peninsula streams, silvers begin returning to the Kenai in early August. Averaging about 7 to 10 pounds, these fish delight charter anglers with their leaps and jumps.
In even years, huge numbers of pinks enter the river at nearly the same time as the silvers ... and although the pinks don't really provide the world's best table fare, they provide anglers sometimes seemingly non-stop fishing action as they aggressively hit most any bait or lure presented to them.
As with most of our river trips, half-day trips are standard with full-day fishing charters available. Although primarily powerboat based, we will be happy to accommodate your desire for a driftboat fishing trip if you wish.
August Silver Salmon
Salmon aren't the only species of attention in the Kenai, but the large runs of salmon are partially responsible for the existence of of the large resident rainbow trout that inhabit the river.
We also offer float trips on the upper Kenai River for trophy rainbows and Dolly Varden in special-permit waters with one of the fishery's most experienced guides. Visit our Trout Fishing Page for more information!

Upper Kenai River Trout Fishing