Do you like fishing? Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska? Kenai River fishing is an angler’s waking dream, really the ma lode of salmon fishing. The river runs a spectacular 82 miles, from Kenai Lake in southern Alaska to the Pacific ocean, at Cook’s Inlet.
Beginning in May, continuing through mid-October, the Kenai peninsula, just 3 hours south of port, offers a buffet of fishing adventures you won’t soon forget.
Among the salmon varieties found are King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, with 2 runs every year. In addition to record-sized salmon, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
If you love fishing, the Kenai River headland is heaven on earth. The largest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985. Keen fishermen flock to the Kenai cape, hoping to best this record. A typical catch is 40 pounds! It doesn’t get much better than that.
Here’s a rundown of the Kenai River fishing season, to help plan your vacation!
round 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 be wanting 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 brooks in Alaska yield more fish, the Kings of the Kenai stream are famous for their great size. A typical catch in the second run is 40-50 pounds. Don’t 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 larger catches are generally found in the September run.
If all of this isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the Kenai River yields prize sized Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout.
Your vacation plans should include a trip to Cook’s Inlet for a saltwater fishing excursion of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the giant 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 preferred 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 2 feet or lower. Check with the office of Fish and Game for local limits.
You will not be surprised to hear that accommodations are plentiful in the area along the Kenai River. You’ll find extensively furnished cabins all along the river, with fantastic led fishing tours. Fishing people come from all over the world to sample a Kenai River fishing vacation. Be sure you book ahead! It is an experience you won’t forget. Bon Appetit!
This article was produced by Richard Codd, a keen fisherman who has travelled the world fishing the greatest rivers and lakes. He writes for a well known fishing blog (www.bass-fishing.com) devoted to the subject of Largemouth Bass Fishing.