Why We No Longer Target King Salmon on the Kenai River

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Fishing for the Future – Why We No Longer Target King Salmon on the Kenai River

For decades, the Kenai River has been famous for its massive king salmon, drawing anglers from all over the world. However, times are changing. In an effort to protect and restore the king salmon population, we have made the responsible decision to no longer target king salmon on the Kenai River. Instead, we are focusing on sustainable fisheries and promoting world-class opportunities for sockeye salmon, silver salmon, and trophy rainbow trout—all while ensuring future generations can enjoy this incredible fishery.


Why We’ve Shifted Away from King Salmon Fishing

Over the years, king salmon runs have declined, prompting state and local conservation efforts to rebuild the population. As stewards of the river, we believe in fishing for the future—which means prioritizing sustainable practices that will allow these incredible fish to recover.

Conservation First – Protecting king salmon ensures that their numbers can rebound for future anglers.
World-Class Alternative Fishing – The Kenai still offers some of the best sockeye salmon, silver salmon, and rainbow trout fishing anywhere in Alaska.
Ethical and Responsible Tourism – We are committed to responsible guiding practices that support the long-term health of the river and its fish populations.

By choosing to fish responsibly, we help preserve the Kenai River’s ecosystem while still offering some of the most exciting fishing experiences in Alaska.


Sockeye Salmon

The Big Thing Now – Sockeye, Silver Salmon & Trophy Trout

Just because we’re not fishing for king salmon doesn’t mean the Kenai River isn’t still one of the best places to fish in Alaska. In fact, some would argue that the experience is even better!

🎣 Sockeye Salmon (Reds) – The Ultimate Angler’s Battle
From June through early August, the Kenai is home to one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in the world. These hard-fighting fish provide an action-packed experience, and their rich, red fillets are among the best-tasting salmon you can catch.

🎣 Silver Salmon (Coho) – High-Energy Fishing Action
From late July through September, silver salmon take over the river, offering explosive fights, aerial jumps, and aggressive strikes. These fish make for an incredible day on the water, whether you’re casting spinners, drifting bait, or fly fishing.

🎣 Trophy Rainbow Trout – Catch & Release Giants
The Kenai River’s trout fishery is second to none. Anglers from around the world visit to target monster rainbow trout, often reaching over 30 inches. With strict catch-and-release policies, we ensure that these fish continue to grow and thrive.


3/4 Day Fishing Trips

3/4 Day Fishing Trips

Join Us in Fishing for the Future

Fishing is about more than just catching fish—it’s about respecting the resource and ensuring that future generations can enjoy it just as much as we do. While we no longer target king salmon, we offer world-class opportunities to chase hard-fighting sockeye, acrobatic silvers, and legendary rainbow trout.

📅 Now Booking for the 2025 Season – Be part of the next chapter of Kenai River fishing!
📍 Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
📞 Contact Us Today to Plan Your Trip!

By shifting our focus, we are keeping the Kenai River one of the best fishing destinations in the world—for today, tomorrow, and generations to come.

#FishingForTheFuture #KenaiRiver #SockeyeSalmon #SilverSalmon #TrophyTrout #SustainableFishing #AlaskaFishing #CatchAndRelease

 
 

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