Guiding You Through Alaska’s Iconic Kenai River
Arguably Alaska’s most well-known river; the Kenai River has some of the greatest fishing in the world. 4 different salmon runs of King, Sockeye, Pink (even years) and Silvers with Rainbow trout present all season long. The Kenai offers a multitude of fishing options depending on the time of year you may be visiting. Located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai River begins flowing out of Kenai Lake in the town of Cooper Landing. Kenai Lake is fed by numerous fresh water streams but glacier melt is the big source of water making the Kenai River a “glacially fed’ stream.
The Kenai is beautiful; emerald green and turquoise colors from fine glacial silt flowing for about 82 miles before its journey is complete at Cook Inlet. Alaska Department of fish and Game (ADFG) and Kenai River fishing guides have broken down the Kenai into 3 distinct sections. The upper, middle and lower Kenai River, each offering a different and unique angling experience that sets them apart from one another.
The Upper Kenai
The Upper Kenai is the headwaters of the river starting in Cooper Landing via Kenai Lake. The Upper starts off with some rapids, mellows out for a bit then continues into the Kenai National wildlife Refuge or as guides say “The Refuge”. Following the Refuge, it proceeds into a Canyonesque type section as I like to say before flowing into Skilak Lake. I started off guiding the Upper but now days much of my time is devoted to the Lower and middle sections.
Power boating vs drift boats becomes our means of transportation which is to your advantage. Salmon are the main focus until late August-October when we switch gears targeting Trout and Coho otherwise known as Silvers. The upper provides great Sockeye salmon fishing around the confluence of the Russian River and great fly fishing for Rainbow trout all while being in a “drift only” area meaning no motor use.
The Middle Kenai
The middle and lower Kenai River provides more opportunities to land your personal best trophy trout and the salmon catch rates are often more consistent throughout the fishing season. The upper Kenai and specifically the Refuge, is the easiest day float for locals or a “do it yourself” type trip for the experienced rower. The Russian River intersecting the upper Kenai adds to the abundant Sockeye salmon runs. The Russian River is also known as the famous “combat fishing” zone due to the accessibility of the Russian river and the Russian river ferry service provided on the Kenai. This area is so busy that I haven’t fished it in over 8 years now but it is still a great spot for the common angler on a DIY trip.
Although the middle Kenai River is just as amazing fishing for trout as the upper, we typically only concentrate on Kenai trout fishing during specific “peak” times. The first period coincides with the Kenai reopening after its trout spawn closure from May1st-June 10th with June 11th being the unofficial opener. This period gives you a chance to tangle with the coveted trophy trout that has made the Kenai famous all over again. Although some trout spawning may still be occurring, we are stewards of the river and choose to stick with deep water away from spawning areas and have found that we have no problem hooking up on plenty of healthy trout. As quickly as this period is over, we soon begin chasing the very sought after Sockeye Salmon in July.
Sockeye on the Kenai
The middle Kenai officially begins after Skilak lake and continues until ending at a bridge in the town of Soldotna becoming wider, deeper and calmer than the upper. The first salmon to show its face is the Sockeye salmon. The middle provides numerous gravel bars to stand on but we love to “troll” for them from the comfort of our 20’ Willie Predator boat. Sockeye, otherwise known as “reds” are the most abundant salmon on the Kenai and trips booked during the peak of the run are often fast and furious with constant bites and countless salmon being hauled into the boat.
The middle is unique in this aspect as nowhere else can you catch them by trolling from the boat on a consistence basis. Some may prefer fishing from the bank for Sockeye salmon which can be easily achieved with an early departure. Securing one of the many fabulous banks is a great way to experience Sockeye fishing on the Kenai.
Beautiful Skilak Lake
One thing you may miss though is the fantastic view of Skilak lake and the mountains surrounding it. This view is easily attainable since we troll right at Skilak lake. We may have time to check this view out when fishing the bank but typically we don’t travel far enough upriver when bank fishing. Throughout the season we are always available for Rainbow trout fishing on the middle as they are present year-round. Summer time trout can be amazing but the large trout are smart and tend to hide out while thousands of Sockeye salmon take over the Kenai. Don’t fret though, large trout are present just harder to come by. The absolute best time for Kenai Rainbow trout is definitely the fall months and coincidently when we fish this section exclusively.
The fall on the middle Kenai starting in late August through the end of our season in October, is an angler’s paradise. Anglers can fly fish, spin fish and everything in-between. All the big fish come out to play especially Rainbow trout, you better be ready! Blistering runs and frantic jumps are common place as these trout don’t mess around. Many trips have anglers coming back yearly hoping to finally land the big one in the 30” caliber. There is no guarantee shaking hands with a Kenai trout this large but make no mistake, out of all the guides and anglers each fall at least one trout of this magnitude is landed weekly and sometimes daily.
Fall on the Middle Kenai
Visitors and locals are obsessed with the fall on the middle Kenai, catching multiple two foot and longer fish and for good reason, in addition to this world-famous trout fishery you can also catch silvers. Otherwise known as Coho salmon, these chrome beauties are as delicious as any other salmon, putting up a fight you soon won’t forget. Coho are known to jump clear out of the water showcasing their namesake as the silver salmon, shiny and bright, rain or shine. When fishing for these salmon you’ll immediately know you’re locked into one as the battle ensues.
The middle is your section for silvers if you love to cast spinners and other light tackle all while drifting down the river from the boat. Another added benefit is the fact you can retain your silver limit but then fish for trout to finish out your guided fishing trip. We charge extra for what we call a “combo” day of fishing; but if your goal is to have fish to bring home and chase trophy Rainbow trout then this Kenai fishing trip is for you. If you prefer something slightly more laid back, sitting down in our comfortable power boat sipping your hot coffee, then the lower Kenai River is definitely your choice for an Alaskan salmon fishing trip.
Chasing Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are present year-round as well but a combo trip is not an option due to fishing regulations. We fish for trout during the last 2 weeks of August though. Large trout are showing themselves due to the added food source of King salmon spawning in the lower portion. This short window of opportunity can produce amazing results.
This portion of August is usually the first shot at trophy rainbows in the 30” club often times testing an angler’s skills and pushing them to the max. Not everyone will land theirs but it always makes for a great fishing story around the campfire. These trout will soon migrate up to the middle in September once Kings are done spawning. Migrating to the middle for these trout continues their feeding cycle but now their appetite has changed to Sockeye salmon spawn.
The Lower Kenai
The lower has been the salmon hot spot since anglers began fishing the Kenai River. It was made famous by Les Anderson back in the 80’s when he landed the record King salmon weighing in at over 90 pounds. Although we don’t fish for these world record Chinook now days due to declining numbers and restrictions (Kasilof river Kings June 1st-mid June), we have one of the best salmon and trout fisheries in the world down low on the Kenai. Being so close to Cook Inlet, the Sockeye salmon flood the river daily during the peak season on the lower. The catch rates are high and you’ll be hooking and losing salmon as fast as I’m netting them. Many gravels bars are present on the lower, early morning trips (330-4 am) are the ticket for the best fishing spots and fast limits.
Don’t worry though, because the fishing is so good we run mostly 1/2-day fishing trips (4-5 hours) giving us the option to run a second trip afterwards and sometimes a 3rd trip during the peak of the Sockeye salmon run. Kenai Sockeye salmon are large (8-10 lbs), super fresh and chrome low on the river, rest assured you’re getting the freshest salmon possible on the Kenai. Speaking of fresh salmon, let’s not forget there is a another run of salmon entering the lower Kenai if you’re visiting us in the fall months being the silver salmon.
Landing Silvers on the Lower Kenai
Lower Kenai Silver Salmon are present from mid-August until September. This coho fishery is more laid back than the middle as you’ll be relaxing comfortably in the boat awaiting a strike from a silver. We use bait on this portion of the Kenai which adds to your success rate vs the middle where bait is prohibited. Fishing rods are placed in rod holders and we await a hook up from these “fresh on the tide” silvers. The lower has tidal influence, meaning the river actually backs up, becomes deeper and slower, allowing easy passage for salmon.
Effortless Fish Care on the Kenai
On any given day we may be “jockeying” for position to ensure we can intercept the silvers as they blast up river during this tidal influence. Although there is some waiting involved while we hold the boat on anchor these fish will run you through the gauntlet. Once they bite the bait the fight is on, it’s up to you to reel your catch in while we float off anchor to land your salmon.
The fall months are often colder and typically damp so dress appropriately. We’ll always have a couple extra jackets on hand and a small heater for our late fall season. Remind us if you drink coffee and we’ll be your river barista, nothing fancy but a hot cup of French pressed coffee is great on the Kenai River. We take the guess work out of fish processing. We’ve partnered with one of the best fish processors on the river. While fishing the lower Kenai River, Jolly Wally’s is strategically located right on the river, another added benefit to fishing the lower. We’ll take your fresh catch of salmon straight to them via boat, it’s VIP treatment for your hard-earned catch. Middle trips can easily access jolly Wally’s as well if staying in Sterling, Soldotna or Kenai by car.
We hope to see you on the river soon and show you what makes the Kenai River so special.