Alaska Sport Fish of the Kenai Peninsula

Sportfish of Alaska

King (Chinook) Salmon

In mid May, these 30 to 50 pound monsters start their migration up the major river systems of Alaska. They are available in the Kenai River and the nearby Kasilof River. This Early Run of King Salmon peaks in early June, and continues in strong numbers until July when the second run arrives.

In early July, the second run of King Salmon appears. These are the true giants of the salmon world. Large kings 50 to 70 pounds are common at this time in the Kenai River. We believe a new world record King Salmon will be taken in this river in the near future.

Silver (Coho) Salmon

Silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) also called coho salmon are one of Alaska's great sport fish. Our Alaska salmon fishing guides will take you fishing on the Kenai River for these acrobatic fighters. In August and September these fish enter the Kenai in the tens of thousands daily; providing the angler with an action packed fishing charter. Alaska fishing for these salmon called silver or coho, is an unforgettable experience.

Pink (Humpy) Salmon

Pink Salmon run with the Silver salmon on even numbered years on the Kenai River. August In these fish enter the Kenai in the hundreds of thousands daily. Bring the kids for a day to remember where they catch too many fish to count. Practice your fly fishing techniques with non-stop pink salmon action and the chance of a silver salmon bonus!

Sockeye (Red) Salmon

See Jimmie Jack's Sockeye Salmon technique for tips on how to catch this great fighter right off the banks of the Kenai River.

Pacific Halibut

Alaska Record Halibut: 459 lbs, caught 1996

The Pacific halibut (Hippoglos-sus stenolepis) was called "haly-butte" in Middle English, meaning the flatfish to be eaten on holy days.General description: Halibut are more elongated than most flatfishes, the width being about one-third the length. Small scales are imbedded in the skin. Halibut have both eyes on their dark or upper side. The color on the dark side varies but tends to assume the coloration of the ocean bottom. The underside is lighter, appearing more like the sky from below. This color adaptation allows halibut to avoid detection by both prey and predator. The halibut taken by sport anglers are generally 15 to 20 pounds in weight; however, fish over 150 pounds are frequently caught.

Rainbow Trout

August and September in Kenai, Alaska is the time to catch big rainbow trout. Don't miss out on some of the finest fly fishing of the year. Rainbows and Dollies congregate in salmon spawning areas and become ferocious feeders ready to give any angler a run for their money. The Kenai River produces some of the largest rainbow trout and char in the state. Nutrients provided by the returning salmon runs have developed a healthy food chain and the trout and char benefit from this. The Kenai River rainbow trout is a native breed (there are no stocked trout in the Kenai River), therefore, we enforce a policy of catch and release. Average 1-5 lbs. with trophies up to 18 pounds. Rainbow Trout season opens June 11 and closes November 1. Trout fishing is good all summer long with June, August, and September being the prime months.