While the commercial fisheries caught the sockeye before they reached the Kenai river and stopped the numbers from reaching acceptable numbers for … Alaska's Kenai River offers silvers, pinks, reds and kings from May through October, where salmon weighing up to 98 pounds have been captured. Kenai Fishing Season Report for 2020. Kenai River rainbows are renowned the world over, and for good reason, as these hefty trout suggest. On the Kenai River we start fishing for catchable numbers by August 10th and the season closes on November 1st with peak dates being Aug 15-25 & Sept 15-Oct 15. When To Fish The Kenai River. Grab your optics and let’s take in the 360-degree view here at the start of the Kenai River, Alaska’s world-renowned salmon fishing hot spot. Another question I get asked pretty often is, “What size line should I use?” The sockeye salmon here in the Kenai River are usually only six to eight lbs, but they can really pull when they’re channeling inside an eight-knot current. Overlooking the mouth of the river Kenai, this town is home to some beautiful scenery. The Kenai River starts at Kenai Lake, which is located in Cooper Landing. The City of Kenai, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s Sport Fishing Division, the Alaska Department of Public Safety’s Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Kenai River Sport Fishing Association, Inc. (KRSA), and the Kenai Peninsula Borough have been working cooperatively to address these issues. Where does the Kenai River start? On even numbers of years pink salmon start to come into the Kenai River around mid July and these fish enter the river … At 8-12 lbs, these fish are known for putting up a good fight. The Kenai river will see more than 10,000 sockeye a day in the later parts of August. The river is very accessible, with ample amenities for day-trippers or week-long campers. The politics or the government regulators sure fowled up a nice trip. It brings us back to a simple time. The Kenai River does not go in a circle, nor does the Kasilof River. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer, just make sure you discuss this with your … They come up the Kenai River from the ocean and split at the confluence, some going up the Kenai River, others going up the Russian River. Yes. Reaching weights up to 90 plus lbs. This section is where most of the fly-fishing takes place. Kenai/Kasilof King Salmon Run: The Kenai is home to the world’s largest salmon with the record weighing in at 97.4 lbs. The Kenai River does not go in a circle, nor does the Kasilof River. The first run fish are headed directly for the Russian River, a small clear-water tributary of the Kenai River, and represents the smaller of the two runs with an annual return of 30,000-60,000 fish. In August, it's Silver or Coho Salmon 's turn to spawn. The river the cabins and the people were all wonderful. Perhaps you will be the one to break the 100 lb. On a full-day fishing trip a guide can teach you the basics and get you into some fish if you have the patience. Legal Addiction; Dip Netting on the Kenai River, Alaska, for Red Salmon from a boat. The Kenai River starts at Kenai Lake, which is located in Cooper Landing. Due to decline of these amazing fish in the last few years the rest of the Kenai River is mainly managed as catch and release for Kings. The season for Silver Salmon (coho) in Alaska can start as early as late July on one of our fly outs we offer and can run to the end of October on the Kenai River. Yes. Story and Photos by Nick Ohlrich. See wildlife up on the hillsides, songbirds, waterfowl, and the brilliant ice-blue Kenai Lake and River. Can I learn to fly fish on the Kenai River? They are fully protected on the Upper Kenai River to protect them in their spawning grounds. The 17 miles of river between Kenai Lake and 18-mile long Skilak Lake is known as the "Upper Kenai". Schools of silver salmon really begin to pile up in the lower reaches of the Kenai River. The Kenai River is, without a doubt, the most popular dipnet fishery in Alaska. Breathtaking. A very common question when on a guided fishing trip, especially on the Kenai River. The river the cabins and the people were all wonderful. The Kenai River is located in Alaska. Can I learn to fly fish on the Kenai River? What started out as an office tucked inside the old jailhouse (now the Kenai Fine Arts Center) and a few acres to maintain, now includes a park, open space system of approximately 363 acres. The Kenai River personal-use dipnet fishery opens on Tuesday and lasts through July 31.