World renowned for its Chinook, Coho, and sockeye salmon, as well as for trout, the Kenai River is the most popular sport fishery in Alaska and offers some of the best angling opportunities in the world that you can drive to.   If a guided salmon fishing trip is what you are after you have 2 excellent choices: The Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.  Peak time for Kenai is mid June-end July. Peak times on the Kasilof are June 1-25 & July 10-31.

 

This section of the Kenai is drift boat and powerboat accessible. Because the current world record king salmon was caught on the Lower Kenai it is the busiest section of the river. Powerboats are most effective in this section for hunting down king salmon and silver salmon. If you can handle the crowds and want a chance at a world record king salmon this may be up your alley.    Silver salmon season is often less crowded and productive. 

 

The Kasilof River is a drift boat only river and is within an hour of Homer. On the Kasilof you will generally find it less crowded and quieter than the Kenai. On the Kasilof River you can target King and Silver Salmon. Kasilof River Kings on average are slightly smaller than Kenai Kings. Your odds of catching a king salmon however are better on the Kasilof River because there is less fishing pressure than on the Kenai. The Silver Salmon Fishing on the Kasilof is as good as it gets on the Kenai Peninsula. Your guided trip usually starts at the Kasilof River Bridge and goes into the tidal water producing salmon that are very fresh.

 

Once you decide on how and when to fish, selecting the proper guide can be a challenge. Check our gold members below. Another good resource are the two primary professional guide associations on the river, who support concepts of outdoor education, responsible stewardship of the resource, conservation, hunting & fishing ethics and other responsible practices.

Kenai River Sport Fishing Association:   http://www.kenairiversportfishing.com/