Fishing The Kenai River
Sunday, October 4th, 2009Do you adore fishing? Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska? Kenai River fishing is an angler’s dream come true, actually the ma lode of salmon fishing. The Kenai 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 won’t soon forget.
Among the salmon varieties found are King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, with two runs each year. As well as record-sized salmon, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
If you like fishing, the Kenai River promontory is heaven on earth. The biggest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985. Keen fishermen flock to the Kenai headland, hoping to best this record. A standard catch is forty pounds! It isn’t getting much better.
Here is 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 will want to be fishing now, as the Red variety is the king of smoked salmon. Reds are also highly valued for the griddle, as well as canning.
Also running in mid-June and mid-July are the Chinook salmon. While other streams in Alaska yield more fish, the Kings of the Kenai stream 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 larger size!
Kenai River fishing offers 2 runs of Silver salmon, one in early August and another in late Sep. The bigger catches are generally found in the September run.
If all of this isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the Kenai River yields trophy sized rainbow trout and dolly varden.
Your vacation plans should include a trip to Cook’s Inlet for a saltwater fishing excursion of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the huge bottom-dwelling halibut live. An Alaskan record-sized halibut which weighed in at 466 pounds was caught in Kachemak Bay!
Drive just thirty miles from Kenai to Clam Gulch, a well-liked destination for clamming. Razor clams are abounding here. As the name implies, their shells are sharp, 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 limits.
You will not be surprised to hear that accommodations are bounteous throughout the area of the Kenai River. You’ll find extensively furnished cabins all along the river, with excellent guided fishing tours. Anglers come from all over the world to experience a Kenai River fishing vacation. Be certain to make a reservation! It is an experience you will not forget. Bon Appetit!
This article was penned by Richard Codd, a lifelong angler who has visited some of the finest fishing spots in the world. He has a well known fishing blog (www.bass-fishing.com) devoted to the subject of Largemouth Bass Fishing.