The Best Places to Catch Salmon on the Kenai River in July

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July is peak salmon season on the Kenai River, and there are plenty of great spots to cast your line. Here are some of the best places to catch salmon in July:

  1. Skilak Lake: The Kenai River flows out of Skilak Lake, and the lake itself is a popular spot for fishing. Early in the season, you can catch sockeye salmon as they make their way up the river. Later in the season, you’ll have a chance to catch coho salmon in the lake.
  2. Upper Kenai River: The upper Kenai River is a beautiful stretch of water that’s known for its rainbow trout fishing. But in July, the salmon start running, and you’ll have a chance to catch sockeye, coho, and pink salmon. Look for deep pools and slow-moving sections of the river for the best chance of success.
  3. Lower Kenai River: The lower Kenai River is where the salmon run in full force. This is the place to be if you’re looking to catch big kings, sockeyes, and cohos. There are plenty of public access points along the river, but hiring a guide can give you an even better chance of landing a trophy fish.
  4. Russian River: The Russian River is a tributary of the Kenai River, and it’s a popular spot for sockeye salmon fishing. In July, the river is usually crowded with anglers, but if you can find a good spot, you’ll have a chance to catch plenty of fish.

No matter where you choose to fish on the Kenai River in July, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

 
 

Kenai River Fish Species

Rainbow Trout

Kenai River rainbows can be well over 30 inches and up to 20lbs!

Dolly Varden Char

Dollies range of all sizes and can reach up to about 12 lbs.

Steelhead

Steelhead are very uniform in shape and average around 28 inches. These amazing, acrobatic fish are often a fly fisherman’s favorite to target.

King Salmon

The Kenai River is open to motorized boats, allowing us chase the bite, and stay on the fish!

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon (also called red salmon) are the most popular salmon to catch on the Kenai Peninsula.

Coho Salmon

Ranging anywhere from 5-20lbs, coho are acrobatic and are probably the most aggressive salmon out there.

Pink Salmon

Pinks are completely underrated, they are extremely aggressive to catch and come in by the millions!

Halibut

Guided ocean fishing on the world-famous Kenai Peninsula