The Fish. The Kenai River provides habitat for 40 unique species of fish including four species of salmon—sockeye, king, coho and pink salmon—and is by far the biggest producer of sockeye salmon in Upper Cook Inlet. There are two sockeye salmon runs into the Kenai River, an early run and larger late run.
Can you fish Kenai River without a guide?
There are many fishing opportunities on the Kenai Peninsula that do not require the use of a guide. New visitors to the peninsula will have a difficult time catching fish without an Alaska Fishing guide, so this page will give you some options to explore new territory and hopefully catch some fish.
How is the fishing on the Kenai River?
The upper and mid river are excellent wade and drift boat fishing, which lends itself to lightweight spin casting and fly fishing for our amazing Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden, and the lower river is known for back trolling and spin casting to dime bright salmon coming in on the tides.
Where is the best fishing on Kenai River?
Preferred fishing areas are from Naptowne Rapids upstream to Skilak Lake, and from the inlet of Skilak Lake upstream to Kenai Lake.
How many sockeye can you keep on the Kenai River?
Fishing for sockeye and chum salmon is open the entire year unless otherwise noted below. 16 inches or longer: 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination. Less than 16 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination.
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.
What lures to use on the Kenai River?
The preferred lures for Kenai River king salmon are size 14 to 16 Luhr-Jensen Kwikfish and Spin-N-Glo’s each with bait if allowed.
Are there halibut in the Kenai River?
Kenai Riverside Resort offers full-day single and multi-species trips on our Alaska halibut fishing trips. On our multi-species trips, we can target halibut, salmon, rockfish, and lingcod.
How fast do sockeye swim up the Kenai?
This means we approximate the sockeye travel one mile per hour as they race upstream. Knowing the main blast of fish typically comes on a high tide, one can calculate where to be and when for the best concentrations of fish.
Can you swim in the Kenai River?
This is not a sunbathing beaches the ocean temperature is 45 degrees year round. People do swim–but its not for the faint of heart.
Is the Kenai River saltwater?
The Kenai River, often referred to as the world’s greatest sportfishing river, is also one of the most heavily used freshwater fisheries in Alaska. The Kenai River Special Management Area includes more than 105 linear miles of rivers and lakes, home to some of the best river fishing in Alaska.
What is the best month for salmon fishing?
The fishing season for salmon goes from late April to mid-October. Arguably, peak salmon season is from June to August in which pretty much every popular type of wild salmon is being caught and is available for sale.
What is the best month to fish for salmon in Alaska?
Simply put, the best time to fish for Salmon in Alaska is during the summers. Peak Salmon fishing season in The Last Frontier starts in May and goes all the way through to the end of September. This period is best for catching the five major Salmon species at different times spread across the entire summer season.
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 do you fish for trout on the Kenai River?
Can you fish Soldotna Creek?
You don’t have to be a fishing enthusiast to enjoy the picturesque Kenai River, but Soldotna Creek Park is a great place to drop a line in the water and try your hand at catching some salmon!
What fish are in Kenai River in August?
Rainbow Trout fishing on the Kenai River in August August is one of the best times of year to experience trout fishing on the Kenai. There is plenty of food in the river, the weather is typically at its best, and the boat pressure on the river often lightens up a bit.
What is the limit for salmon on the Kenai River?
Kenai River No more than two salmon, 16 inches or longer, per day and in possession may be coho salmon.
What is the limit on red salmon in Alaska?
Alaska Residents—No size limit: 1 per day, 2 in possession. Nonresidents— 1 per day, 1 in possession; 30–45 inches or 55 inches and longer, annual limit of 2 fish, one of which is 30–45 inches in length, and one that is 55 inches or greater in length, harvest record required (see page 6).
How do you fish for salmon on the Kenai River?
How much fish can you bring back from Alaska?
How much fish can we take with us? There is no set pound limit on how much fish a person can take home with them. However, the State of Alaska has daily limits and yearly limits. For example, a person is allowed to keep 4 halibut for the year, with the limit being 2 per day.
What is the best tasting salmon?
Chinook Salmon/King Salmon Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), also known as King salmon, is considered by many to be the best-tasting of the salmon bunch. They have a high-fat content and corresponding rich flesh that ranges from white to a deep red color.
Where is the best sockeye fishing in Alaska?
Where to fish for Sockeye Salmon in Alaska? The area around Bristol Bay offers some of the heaviest runs of Sockeye. The major rivers include the Nushagak, Naknek, the Kvichak, and the Egegik rivers as well as their tributaries.
What color lure is best for salmon?
Silver or chrome are especially popular hard-lure finishes, and many river salmon lures are enhanced with a bright color, particularly orange or red/pink.
What is the best bait for Coho Salmon?
Usually the best tactic is a simple bobber rig. Suspend a size-2 to size-6 hook about 4-6 feet under a bobber. Bait with small spawn sacs, salmon skein, tube jigs tipped with waxworms, small pieces of shrimp, nightcrawlers or minnows.