Fishing The Kenai River

Posted: October 9th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Outdoor Activity | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

Do you adore fishing?  Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska?  Kenai River fishing is an angler’s fantasy, actually the mummy lode of salmon fishing.  The river runs an impressive 82 miles, from Kenai Lake in southern Alaska to the Pacific ocean, at Cook’s Inlet.  

Beginning in May, continuing thru mid-October, the Kenai peninsula, just 3 hours south of harbor, offers a smorgasbord of fishing adventures you will not soon forget.  

Among the salmon varieties found are King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, with 2 runs every year.  As well as record-sized salmon, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.  

If you adore fishing, the Kenai River peninsula is heaven on earth.  The biggest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985.  Ardent fishermen flock to the Kenai Peninsula, looking to best this record.  A typical catch is forty pounds!  It does not get much better.  

Here’s a rundown of the Kenai River fishing season, to help plan your vacation!  

around the middle of June, there’s one run of the Red Blueback salmon, followed by another in the middle of July.  If you like smoked salmon, you’ll want to be fishing now, as the Red variety is the king of smoked salmon.  Reds are also highly prized for the grill, as well as canning.  

Also running in mid-June and mid-July are the King salmon.  While other streams in Alaska yield more fish, the Kings of the Kenai river are known for their great size.  A typical catch in the second run is 40-50 pounds.  Do not be surprised to net a King of a bigger size!  

Kenai River fishing offers 2 runs of Silver salmon, one in early August and another in late September.  The bigger catches are usually found in the September run.  

If all of this isn’t enough to make you salivate, the Kenai River yields trophy sized Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout.  


Your holiday plans should include a visit to Cook’s Inlet for a deep-sea excursion of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the giant bottom-dwelling halibut live.  An Alaskan record-sized halibut of 466 pounds was caught in Kachemak Bay!  

Drive just thirty miles from Kenai to Clam Gulch, a preferred destination for clamming.  Razor clams are abounding here.  As the name implies, their shells are pointy, so be careful!  Best digging times are when the tide is at minus two feet or lower.  Check with the dep. of Fish and Game for local boundaries.  

You will not be surprised to hear that lodging is bounteous throughout the area of the Kenai River.  You will find well kitted out cabins all along the river, with fantastic led fishing tours.  Fishing people come from all around the planet to sample a Kenai River fishing vacation.  Be sure you book ahead!  It’s an experience you won’t forget.  Bon Appetit!

This article was penned by Richard Codd, a lifelong angler who has travelled the world fishing the greatest rivers and lakes. He has a very popular blog (http://www.bass-fishing.com) devoted to the subject of Largemouth Bass Fishing.

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