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Kenai Fishing Guide
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Kenai Fishing Guide
One of the main reasons that visitors flock to our little corner of Alaska is the plentiful fishing opportunities. With vibrant blue rivers, clear air, and tranquil wilderness, Kenai fishing has to be experienced to truly understand how amazing it is.
Let’s explore some of the best Kenai fishing opportunities around.
Kenai River
The Kenai River is one of, if not the most popular places to fish in the region. At 82 miles long, the Kenai is the largest river in Southcentral Alaska.
Why is the Kenai River so Blue?
The Kenai River has a distinctive turquoise-blue color that has long enchanted visitors and locals alike. The reason behind the vibrant hue is glacial silt. The river drains the Kenai Peninsula, which means plenty of silt gets carried along, granting a memorable blue color.
What Kind of Fish are in the Kenai River?
Perhaps the single biggest reason behind the river’s popularity is the types of fish you can find here.
When you go Kenai River fishing, you have a chance to catch all five species of salmon found in North America. King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, in particular is highly sought after, as the river has a reputation for sustaining rather large specimens of this type of fish. This river happens to be the largest sport fisheries in the state for three types of salmon:
- Coho
- Chinook
- Sockeye
Each year, hundreds of thousands of salmon make runs up the river, giving anglers ample opportunity to find a big catch.
The Kenai River also is home to other types of native fish, such as Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden (or Arctic Char).
Best Time to Fish Kenai River
While the best fishing times vary upon which kind of fish you want to catch, there are general guidelines as to which season is best depending on species.
The summer months are prime salmon fishing. May to June makes for some of the best King and Sockeye Salmon fishing, while July to August is primetime for Coho and Pink Salmon. For other species such as Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden, September is the best time.
This said, if you want more information on when and where to best find the type of fish you are looking for, we highly recommend hiring a local fishing charter. There are plenty of charters in the peninsula that are experienced, knowledgeable, and find genuine joy in helping others catch a big one.
Cook Inlet
While we highly recommend fishing on the Kenai River, there are plenty of other places where you can have the time of your life out on the water, such as the Cook Inlet
Our location sits on the shores of the Cook Inlet where you can find opportunities to fish for all types of salmon. What sets the inlet apart from the other Kenai fishing areas is the abundant population of halibut. The sandy bottoms are a perfect habitat for this popular type of fish.
The best place in the entire inlet has to be around Homer, AK, where the halibut can grow to immense sizes. After all, the town is known as the halibut capital of the world as fishermen flock from around the world for a chance at catching a member of this beautiful species.
Other species of fish found in the inlet include Pacific herring, smelt, and rockfish.
Start Your Outdoor Fishing Adventure at Discover Alaska Lodging
When planning a fishing trip, we know how hard it can be to decide where to go and where to stay. At Discover Alaska Lodging, we offer a variety of different lodging options, including cabins, cottages, and townhomes. Our location offers relief from the hustle and bustle of day to day life, while placing you near many of the best fishing spots in Kenai. We also can give recommendations about great fishing charters to help you make the most of your getaway.
Browse our listings and book today!