The Chena River supports populations of many fish species, including Arctic grayling, burbot, chum salmon, humpback whitefish, king salmon, least cisco, longnose suckers, northern pike, round whitefish, and sheefish. Easily accessible from Fairbanks, the Chena is the most popular sport-fishing river in interior Alaska.
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Where can I fish on the Chena River?
Getting There. Take Chena Hot Springs Road to the Chena Recreation Area. The river is best accessed for angling by canoe or jet boat, but there is shore fishing available at a number of river access points, including at road mile 27, 28, 28.6, 31.6, as well as at each of the four bridges that cross the road.
Are there salmon in the Chena River?
The Chena and Salcha Rivers have the largest numbers of returning king and chum salmon in the Tanana River Drainage, with over 7,000 kings returning annually to the Chena River and over 9,000 kings returning annually to the Salcha River.
What is the best month to fish in Alaska?
The best time to travel to Alaska for fishing tends to be in the summer months of June, July, and August for peak season. During these months you can catch the end of the King Salmon season, and peak times for Silver, Red, Pink and Chum Salmon.
How long does it take to float the Chena River?
Enjoy a scenic paddle on the Chena River This scenic section of the lower Chena River typically takes 4 to 6 hours to paddle. For this trip, we will shuttle you and the boat(s) to the put-in at the Nordale Road bridge near North Pole.
Is there salmon fishing near Fairbanks?
From Fairbanks the best angling occurs southbound along the Richardson Highway, starting at the Chena River, continuing to the Salcha River and ending at the Delta Clearwater River. These rivers, along with several other smaller streams, are key areas for recreational fishing for king, chum, and coho salmon.
Are there fish in Chena Hot Springs?
The river is accessible from a dozen places and is popular with anglers and paddlers. Grayling can be seen finning in the pools. Chinook and chum salmon swim 1,000 miles from the Bering Sea to spawn in the Chena River in July and August.
Is fishing good in Fairbanks?
Fly-out fishing options are available, and many choose to fly out to some of the smaller tributaries or remote lakes to target Salmon, Trophy Trout, or Northern Pike. It is possible to hit a lake where nobody else has fished that year. Overall, fishing around Fairbanks is fantastic.
What fish are in the Tanana River?
They include: king (Chinook) and coho (silver) salmon, Arctic grayling, burbot, lake trout, and northern pike. Rainbow trout are not native to the drainage, but have been stocked in many lakes.
How do you count fish in a river?
How did Chena River get its name?
Chena River’s Tanana Athabascan name, Ch’eno’, literally translates to “river of something (game).” This is a reference to the importance of the land surrounding the water and how beneficial this location is for large game hunting.
What part of Alaska has the best fishing?
- For saltwater fishing, go to Homer.
- For salmon fishing, go to Bristol Bay.
- For remote fishing, go to Kodiak Island Archipelago.
- For fishing culture, go to Ketchikan.
- For trout fishing, go to Kvichak River.
How much fish can you bring back from Alaska?
Registered. First two 50 lb bags are $25 each. If you can cram your luggage into a carry on and large personal bag (free), then you can bring 100 pounds of fish home for $50. The third checked bag is either $50 or $75.
What is the most popular fish to catch in Alaska?
The Alaskan Leopard Rainbow trout is without question one of Alaska’s most prized sportfish in which hundreds of anglers come to target every year. The rainbow trout can be found in almost all of Alaska’s rivers and can be caught from June through October.
Can you swim in the Chena River?
The Chena runs from the White Mountains 100-miles south to the Tanana River. The water is cool and clear, safe for swimming or inner tubing.
Can you kayak in the Chena River?
The leisurely two-hour paddle down the tranquil lower Chena River begins at the CanoeAlaska store at 1101 Peger Road. Start from our Pioneer Park park location. We’ll set you up with your choice of canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board (SUP). Float through Fairbanks towards the the historic Pump House Restaurant.
Which way does Chena River flow?
Chena River Location The river flows southwest from the confluence of North Fork Chena River and West Fork Chena River near Chena Hot Springs to its confluence with the Tanana River in Fairbanks.
Where is the best salmon fishing in Alaska?
The Kenai River sits in south central Alaska in the state’s Kenai Peninsula. The river is quite arguably the state’s most popular sport fishing destination for Chinook (also known as King) salmon. In fact, the world record king salmon, weighing in at 97 lbs, was caught in the Kenai in 1985.
Where can I fish in Fairbanks Alaska?
- Birch Lake State Recreation Site. Fairbanks, AK.
- Chena River State Recreation Site.
- Lower Chatanika River State Recreational Area.
- Chena River State Recreational Area.
- Salcha River State Recreation Site.
- Harding Lake State Recreational Area.
- Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site.
What kind of fishing is there in Fairbanks Alaska?
Fish some of the best spots along the river or lakes for trophy-size Arctic grayling, Northern pike, rainbow trout, char or salmon. We offer year round half or all-day ice-, spin- or dry fly fishing on the clear waters around Fairbanks for both beginners and experts.
What can I expect at Chena Hot Springs?
In addition to the Hot Spring and the Ice Museum, Chena Hot Springs has a wide array of activities and attractions including dog mushing and kennel tours, skiing, snowmobiling, ATV rides, fishing, flightseeing, hiking, biking, aurora borealis viewing tours, horseback riding and even horse-drawn sleigh rides.
How far are the hot springs from Fairbanks Alaska?
Chena Hot Springs is approximately 60 miles from Fairbanks at the end of Chena Hot Springs Road. The drive takes about an hour and a half, though it may take longer in winter if it’s icy.
Where is Chena Hot Springs located?
Chena Hot Springs is an unincorporated community and hot spring resort in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States, 56.5 miles northeast of Fairbanks near the Chena River State Recreation Area.
Where can I fish for grayling in Alaska?
Grayling inhabit most of Alaska, the exceptions being the Southeast, Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands, but you’ll find the best fishing in the Interior, the North, and South Western Alaska. And you don’t have to fly out to some remote river to find fish in good numbers either.
Can you fly fish in Denali National Park?
Fishing Denali National Park While the fishing is not overly abundant within the Park, there are excellent opportunities to fish here and the primary target is Arctic Grayling. Arctic Grayling are a fantastic fish for fly fishing.