Fishing the Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula is home to some of the most varied sport fishing opportunities in the world. The Kenai River and surrounding waters host all five species of pacific salmon, trophy rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, grayling, steelhead and pacific halibut.

King Salmon:

The Kenai River holds the largest strain of king salmon on the globe including the largest king salmon ever taken on rod and reel, a 97 lb. monster landed in May 1985. Additionally, the Kenai River has produced eight of the ten largest sport caught king salmon ever recorded. This is truly the land of giants.

The Kenai has two distinct runs of king salmon. The early run begins in May and runs through the month of June. This run has fewer fish than the late run but also see far less pressure. The average return for this early run of Kenai King Salmon is just under 15,000 fish. Fish average 25-35 lbs., although on many years, the largest king of the season will come from this early run.

The late run of Kenai King Salmon begins July 1 and runs through mid August even though fishing for late run king salmon is closed August 1.  This run sees an annual average return of just over 40,000 fish and the average size is 35-40 lbs. Fish exceeding 50lbs. are not uncommon with many over 70lbs taken annually. The peak of this fishery occurs in the last two weeks of July and coincides with the late run of Kenai River sockeye salmon.  This the the most popular time to visit the Kenai Peninsula. This means visitors should expect added fishing pressure on the river and on the Kenai Peninsula in general.

The neighboring Kasilof River also hosts early and late runs of king salmon. The early run of Kasilof king salmon begins in mid May and is a mix of both hatchery and wild fish. These fish average 15-25 lbs. and action is very consistent. The late run of Kasilof king salmon enters during the month of July and is completely wild. This fishery is often overshadowed by the more renowned late run on the Kenai River but the fishing is none the less world class. These late run fish rival the size of their Kenai cousins with the average fish weighing in at 35-40lbs. Fish over 50lbs. are regularly taken. Unlike the Kenai, no motors are allowed on the smaller Kasilof River and all fishing is done from drift boats.

Limits for King salmon on the Kenai Peninsula are conservative due to the popularity of these fisheries and the limited number of fish available. The daily limit for king salmon on the Kenai Peninsula is one fish per day. On the Kenai, only two fish are allowed per season, three per season on the Kasilof and five total fish per season on the entire Kenai Peninsula.

We also offer fly out fishing trips to West Cook Inlet rivers where king salmon can be taken far from the crowds.  Be sure to check our article on Chuitna king salmon fishing for more details.

For information on guided fishing for king salmon click here.

Sockeye Salmon:

Sockeye begin entering the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers in mid June and continue running into August. These fish enter the rivers by the tens of thousands each day. This is a very popular fishery with a liberal limit of three fish per day. These fish average 8 to 12 pounds and are hard fighters, especially once they get into the main current of the river.

Since sockeye are plankton feeders in the ocean, they do not have the chase and kill instinct of other salmon.  Therefore they are not attracted to lures or bait.  Fishing is regularly done from shore using a simple fly, a long leader and enough weight to counter the Kenai's relentless current.  By drifting this fly and leader in just the right way, a firm, "corner of the mouth hook-up" is simply a matter of time, especially when 30,000-50,000 fish are entering the river daily.

There are many places to fish for sockeye from shore. Virtually every boat launch and park has public access for sockeye fishing. Centennial Park near the Sterling Highway Bridge in Soldotna is a popular location as is Swiftwater Park, also in the city of Soldotna. Our cabins are located directly adjacent to US Fish and Wildlife fishing parks with extensive boardwalks and fishing platforms. Of course we also offer private fishing access for our guests on over 220 feet of prime fishing water just off shore from our main lodge.  On the Kasilof, upstream from the highway bridge is a popular location to fish for sockeye. The Russian River, a tributary of the upper Kenai near Cooper Landing, is also very popular (particularly in mid to late June) but expect to do some combat fishing with the crowds.

For information on guided fishing for sockeye salmon click here.

Silver Salmon:

Silvers begin entering the rivers in early August and continue through the end of September. Averaging 8 to 15 pounds, these fish are aggressive and readily strike lures, flies and bait. Access to these fish on the Kenai River is best from a boat; however they are also regularly caught from shore, especially on many of the smaller Kenai Peninsula Rivers.

The Kenai River has two distinct runs of silver salmon. The early run arrives in late July, although the river is close to fishing for silvers from Aug 1 to Aug 3. The Kenai's official start to silver season is Aug. 4. Early run Kenai silvers average 8-10 lbs. The peak of this run normally occurs in the second or third week of the month but is soon preceded by the late run of Kenai Silvers. These late-run fish arrive in the last few days of August and continue to run well past the close of the season on Oct. 1. The late run silvers are larger than the early run fish and average over 10lbs. The limit on the Kenai and most nearby waters is two fish per day.

The Kenai is not the only silver salmon show in town by any stretch of the imagination. Silver salmon return to nearly every river in the area and the smaller rivers on the peninsula such as the Swanson River, Russian River, Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River all offer excellent small stream salmon fishing. These rivers are especially ideal for fly anglers.

Day trips to the west side of Cook Inlet on a float plane are a great way to experience remote wilderness and some of the best silver fishing available anywhere in the state. Glacial rivers like the Kustatan and Big River are silver salmon paradise from late July till mid September. Both of these rivers promise wide open fishing action in an isolated, un-crowded and extremely scenic setting.

For information on guided fishing for silver salmon click here.

Pink Salmon:

These salmon, sometimes called humpies because of the deformity that develops before spawning, only enter the river in substantial numbers during even numbered years.  When they do enter the river is late July through August, it is hard to keep them off your hook!  It isn't unusual for anglers to catch over 100 of these fish per day!  Averaging only 4 to 6 pounds, what they lack in size they will make up for in sheer numbers.  Literally over a million of these fish enter the Kenai every other year.  They can be caught on light tackle and readily take any type of lure thrown their way.  You can catch these fish almost anywhere when they enter the river, and they will tire your arms.

Rainbow Trout:

Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden can be found in almost very lake river and stream on the Kenai Peninsula and will readily take a wide variety of flies and lures. Fishing can be done from the shore or from a boat.

The Kenai River is one of the most prolific and accessible trophy trout fisheries in all of Alaska if not the world. The largest concentration of trout can be found in the beautiful section of the Kenai River from its outlet at Skilak Lake to Naptown rapids. This 10-mile section, just upriver from the town of Sterling, promises non-stop action from the second your line hits the water. Rainbows between two and five pounds are common with many exceeding ten pounds. Dolly Varden are also caught using the same artificial lures, and they too are trophy size and very abundant.

For information on guided fishing for Trophy Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden click here.

The trout in the Kenai River are indeed Trophy size.  With an average size of several pounds, it is not unusual to catch rainbows over 7 to 10 pounds and sometimes much larger.  Don't be surprised to hook into a 15 to 20 pound rainbow in this river.  We consider the rainbow trout to be a catch and release species.  Rainbows can be caught from shore as well.

Steelhead:

The Kenai does not support a run of anadramous rainbow trout, however several other rivers on Cook Inlet do support steelhead runs.  Steelhead will average 7 to 12 pounds are among the hardest fighting fish that you will ever hook.  Steelhead fishing is generally done in the fall when they enter their natal streams to spawn in the spring.  They will readily take flies and lures.  All steelhead must be released. The Anchor River is one of the most popular streams for steelhead fishing in the fall.

 

Dolly Varden:

Dolly Varden are caught incidentally quite often when fishing for salmon and trout.  Dollies can range in size from 1 to 10 pounds or more.  They readily take bait but may also be caught on lures and flies.  Dollies can be caught from the banks of any river, from the beach, or from a boat.

We prefer to release dollies caught in the rivers as they provide an essential service to the ecosystem.  Studies have shown that Dolly Varden feed on dead salmon and trout eggs that could infect healthy eggs within the spawning beds.  Thus the dolly provides a useful service in maintaining healthy salmon runs and healthy trout populations.

Halibut:

Halibut fishing in nearby Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound is among the finest in the world. The most popular ports include Homer, Anchor Point, Deep Creek and Seward. The best halibut tides are always those with the least amount of water movement between high and low tides. The fishing is typically very good and limits are nearly a guarantee. Although some of these fish will exceed 100lbs., the most succulent for eating are in the 15-50 lb range. Weather is always a factor with halibut fishing and there are some days when the water is too rough to fish.

For information on guided halibut fishing click here.

Grayling:

A smaller fish, yet beautiful in appearance, the grayling is more common in the northern portions of Alaska.  However, a few waters on the Kenai Peninsula at higher elevations support grayling in abundant numbers.  A 20 inch grayling would be considered a trophy sized fish.  Grayling readily take flies and lures.  Crescent Lake and a few other places sustain healthy populations of grayling, however these locations are difficult to access.  If you are inclined to make a day trip of it, you can hike into Crescent Lake via a trailhead that begins on the Sterling highway.  The other option to access this lake is by float plane.

Clams:

Razor clams are very abundant along the coast of East Cook Inlet.  Clam Gulch and Deep Creek are popular access points.  Select a negative tide for digging clams.  You will need waders or rubber boots, shovels, and a bucket to put your clams in.  Look for a dimple in the sand, dig next to the dimple, reach your hand in and feel around.  Once you feel the top of the clam, give it a slight pinch and pull it out of the sand.  The limits for clams are liberal and this is something that everyone in your party can enjoy.

In addition, steamer clams are available on Kachemak Bay.  To harvest these clams, you will need a rake to dig the clams out from their rocky homes and a bucket to put them in.

Detailed Fishing Information