June 1-22 Daily Special—$650 Buys the Boat for Kasilof Kings or Kenai Trout. Plus, save on lodging. Get details.
EXPERIENCED KENAI RIVER FISHING GUIDE
Fish the Famous Kenai and Kasilof Rivers!
Are you Ready to Reel in World Class Salmon and Rainbow Trout with Kenai River Recon?
EXPERIENCED KENAI RIVER FISHING GUIDE
Are you Ready to REEL IN world class SALMON AND RAINBOW TROUT ON THE KENAI AND KASILOF RIVERS with Kenai River recon?
PLAN AN ALASKA FISHING TRIP OF A LIFETIME
At Kenai River Recon, we understand a fishing trip to the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’re here to ensure your trip is unforgettable. You have choices when it comes to Kenai River fishing guides and we are thankful for the opportunity to show you what it means to us to be the best fishing guides we can be.
We Bring the Gear and The Knowledge! You Bring the Enthusiasm!
We provide all the fishing gear you’ll need, and we know the best places and times to locate the fish you’re after. So, whether it’s fly-fishing or conventional fishing, we’ll make sure you have a safe, fun, and thrilling trip to beautiful Alaska!
PLAN AN ALASKA FISHING TRIP OF A LIFETIME WITH KENAI RIVER RECON
At Kenai River Recon, we understand a fishing trip to the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’re here to ensure your trip is unforgettable. You have choices when it comes to
Kenai River fishing guides and we are thankful for the opportunity to show you what it means to us to be the best fishing guides we can be.
We provide all the fishing gear you’ll need, and we know the best places and times to locate the fish you’re after. So, whether it’s fly-fishing or conventional fishing, we’ll make sure you have a safe, fun, and thrilling trip to beautiful Alaska!
Kenai river recon
which fish are you after
Welcome to the Kenai River! Everything you have read is true, the Kenai River is one of the most famous watersheds in the world. If you’re planning a trip to the Kenai Peninsula, let us be your guide. The Kenai River has something for everyone and you’ll be right at home with our guides. Let us be your on river coach whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler we pride ourselves on our coaching techniques. Contact us now to discover what the Kenai River is all about.
MID-MAY THROUGH JULY
The biggest of the bunch, the King Salmon begins entering Kenai Peninsula streams in mid may. This salmon stays in the ocean for up to 5 years before returning to its spawning grounds. Although the Kenai River boasts the world record King Salmon caught back in1985, we predominantly focus our efforts on the Kasilof River. This “drift only” fishery is a great early season fishing trip. Kasilof Kings average 12-25 lbs. with a bag limit of 2 fish per day. This fishing season is unique with the added benefit of a small hatchery which only adds to the excitement. Opening May 16th and running through the third week of June this fishing trip is a must if you’re planning a trip to Alaska in June. At Kenai River Recon we primarily fish from the drift boat or “back troll” with crank baits (plugs) or spin-n-glos with bait when regulations allow. Bait casting rods are placed in rod holders while your guide rows you down the river.
July/early august through
september
Silver Salmon
Often referred to as “Coho” the silver salmon is known for being one of the most aggressive salmon in the Kenai River. Acrobatic and shiny, they will chase down your fly or spinner if you catch their attention. Silver Salmon are a rugged species, showing up in August and running through our guide season into winter. They usually will not spawn until old man winter comes knocking. We catch these salmon more ways than any other species. Silvers will bite flies, spinners, jigs, plugs and spin-n-glos with or without bait making them a great option during the fall. Kenai River Recon guides look forward to silver season every year and you’ll see why.
Mid-may through july
Sockeye salmon
The largest run of Salmon on the Kenai River, the Sockeye salmon is the best tasting and most feisty salmon you will encounter. Commonly referred to as “Red Salmon” because of its bright red meat the Sockeye is pound for pound the toughest fishing fish in Alaska. Holding the title as toughest fish per pound just adds to the excitement. This particular fish is the easiest to catch out of all others. This is due to the fact that Sockeye Salmon are “filter feeders” with a diet consisting mostly of Zooplankton. We utilize our boats to find the best gravel bar to fish from the bank. These fish run up river in shallow water with their mouths open allowing us to “floss” the sockeye after a quick coaching session from your guide. This is our most common trip during the tourist season (July 15th-August 15th) with trips running daily. Limits can be reached within hours on some days with Kenai River Recon as your guide.
June through october
Rainbow trout
Kenai River trout fishing is one of the greatest and most consistent trout fisheries around. On any given day you could hook into a trophy trout. A trophy on the Kenai is close to or above 30 inches. These fish are constantly eating protein while migrating up and down the Kenai. The Kenai trout follows the salmon throughout the season awaiting their spawning cycle. While these trout lay in wait, they benefit from all the loose salmon eggs and flesh that many anglers provide during the season. Having a constant food source equals large trout present in the Kenai at all times. Our guides are obsessed with trout and highly respect the fishery. We handle all of them with the utmost care and relish in the opportunity to put you onto the fish of a lifetime. Trout season is runs from June 11th-October with late August-October being the best times for a shot at a trophy.
Mid-September through October
Steelhead
Steelhead are probably the most sought after fresh water species in the US. Alaska has some of the best Steelhead fishing in the nation to include Alaskas Kenai Peninsula. Fishing for Steelhead in South central Alaska provides amazing streams for the walking angler and the serene Kasilof River provides world class float trips. Alaska has healthy runs with good to great numbers throughout the fall making this one of the best roadside Steelhead fishing destinations. If you’re up for the challenge chasing these hard to catch fish while enjoying a cold possibly damp early morning then this trip is for you! Hooking into a chrome Steelhead blasting through the current jumping and thrashing about makes it all worth while. Although we don’t guarantee you will catch this “fish of a thousand casts” we do provide opportunities at Steelhead which you the angler need to capitalize on. It all depends on your experience and skill set. Myself and our team of guides will teach you the proper techniques, whether it be nymphing with a bead and bobber or casting a 2 hand rod to swing a juicy run, know that you’ll be in the company of the most obsessed Steelhead fisherman on the Kenai Peninsula.
June through October
Dolly Varden
Kenai River Dolly Varden fishing is probably the single greatest Dolly fishery in the United States. The lower 48 is where an angler may chase a version of the Dolly Varden being the “Bull Trout”, but in Alaska on the Kenai River we boast impressive catch rates and by far some of the largest Dollies an angler may encounter. On any given day you could hook into a trophy Dolly Varden of 24 inches or bigger. These fish are constantly eating protein while migrating up and down the river. Kenai river Dolly Varden follow the salmon during the season chasing their spawn (eggs) wherever and wherever they may be spawning. Having a constant food source equals large fish present in the Kenai on most days. Our Kenai fishing guides love chasing these fish. We handle all of them with proper catch and release techniques after your grip and grin photo. Dolly Varden season runs from June 11th-October with the first 2 weeks of September being the best period for hooking and landing a trophy Dolly Varden.
Benefits
Why you should fish with us
Born and raised Kenai River fishing guide.
We know the kenai river.
the best fishing gear and boats.
friendly, fun, and professional.
Sean
Smart
Sean Smart, Your Kenai River Fishing Guide
Sean Smart was born and bred in the beautiful state of Alaska. He spent his childhood on the Kenai Peninsula fishing, hunting, and doing pretty much any outdoor activity you can imagine. So when you have Sean as your guide, you’re getting a true Alaskan expert that will give you the best chances of catching the fish of your dreams.
Testimonials
Here's what our other clients
have to say about us as Kenai River Fishing Guides
Booking
Booking a trip with Kenai river recon is easy!
When you’re planning a fishing trip to Alaska, it’s hard to know where to start. So here’s the thing:
Don’t worry about it. Just give us a call, and we’ll walk you through everything.
It’s easier than you think.