As you may or may not know, the Kenai River is one of the most famous fishing sites in the world. If you’re looking to catch a prize-winning Salmon, the Kenai has held the world record catch since 1985. The hardy line of both King Salmon and Sockeye Salmon are abundant, making your chances of bagging one excellent. Millions of King, Sockeye, and Silver Salmon make their yearly migrations along the river. An easy trip from Anchorage, the Kenai River is, needless to say, one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state. Its predictable late summer and fall Silver Salmon run put the Kenai River in a fishing league of its own.
Kenai River Topography
The river is divided into 3 sections—upper, middle, and lower river. Each area has particular topographic and tidal features that should be considered for boat launching and fishing. For example, areas of gravel bars and shallow points in the lower section may be of concern to the inexperienced fisherman. Research on areas most appropriate for both the experienced and non-experienced angler is suggested pre-trip. Fishermen choosing the wrong area may end up having a disappointing experience. Inaccurate knowledge of rainfalls and ice-flows in the changing seasons can ruin a trip and be quite dangerous. The entire topographic picture of the river shouts “get a good guide.”
Kenai ‘Fishing Holes’
As the name implies, fishing holes have gained that designation because traditionally, that’s where most fish are caught. Fishermen wishing to maximize catches are wise to follow that tradition and fish in fishing spots located along the famous Cook Inlet.
- The Pastures
- Cunningham Park
- Super Bank
- Beaver Creek
- Mud Island
- Blood Alley
- Miracle Isle
- Sunken Island
- Chinook Sonar
- Harry Gaines
- Eagle Rock
- Airplane
- Honeymoon Cove
- Falling in Hole
- The Graveyard
- Big Eddy
- Porter’s
- Stewart’s
- Poachers
- Sunken Island
When to Salmon-Fish on the Kenai River
King Salmon generally runs from June to August; Sockeye from July to September. Unfortunately, due to several factors, counting Silvers on the Kenai River is challenging. The Silver Salmon run is a bi-modal run just like King Salmon—there is an early and a late silver run. The first Silvers start to show up about August 1st and are mixed in with Kings, Sockeye, and sometimes with Pink Salmon. While the Silvers are on average several pounds larger than the Sockeye, the size differential is impossible to determine from sonar images. What we do know is that the Kenai River on odd years sees 10,000 Sockeyes a day in late August. On even-numbered years huge schools of Pink Salmon make it impossible to accurately count the sockeyes. However, the indication in season is that the Kenai River affords anglers an extraordinary salmon fishing opportunity.
Halibut, Ling Cod, Rockfish, Rainbows, and Snapper
Make no mistake. Besides Salmon, the Kenai River holds a super variety of other fish species. And at Gone Fishing Lodge we know exactly where they are! The lodge offers a variety of daily and weekly fishing packages for any budget and any degree of fishing experience. Never fished Alaska before? Let us make the first trip one you’ll never forget.
Call or email today and make your plans.
Gone Fishing Lodge, 48672 Soldotna, AK 99669
Call: (877) 462-5752
E-mail: ralph@gonefishinlodge.com
E-mail: dick@gonefishinlodge.com
