Salmon Fishing

King Salmon (Chinook) Fishing

King Salmon
The Kenai River is world famous for its King Salmon Fishing. Seven of the ten largest king salmon ever caught sportfishing, including the world record (97 lbs 4 oz), were caught on the Kenai River. The Kenai receives two distinctive runs of King Salmon. The first run starts in May and the second run begins July 1. The season always closes August 1st despite the fact that kings continue to enter the river well into August. The lodge location is perfectly situated for king salmon fishing, and the best king salmon holes are about 3 miles down river and 4 miles upriver from the lodge. King salmon take the deepest, fastest channels when migrating upriver, so fishing from a boat is a must.

Run timing in the Kasilof River is similar to that of the Kenai, but fishing is usually better on the Kasilof during the early run. Additionally, the Kasilof receives a fair number of hatchery fish affording anglers more opportunity to keep their catch.

Even if King Salmon fishing is slow in the rivers, we can always target them in the ocean. Homer and Kachemak Bay provide year round king salmon fishing. Some portion of these fish are “feeders” weighing 5 to 25 pounds that are transient and will not spawn in rivers located in Alaska. Others are “spawners” or riverbound fish headed to streams to begin their spawning migration. These fish are impressive and can weigh anywhere from 20 to 60 lbs.

Timing:

May to August 1 for the rivers. All year in the ocean.

Techniques:

back trolling, backbouncing, side drifting, trolling with downriggers in the ocean.

Locations:

Lower Kenai River, Lower Kasilof River, coastal streams, Homer.

General Regulations:

Kenai River: One per person per day. After retaining a king salmon, you may not fish from a boat for the remainder of the day. No King Fishing Sunday or Monday.

Kasilof River: During May and June 2 per person per day, one which may be a wild fish. One per person per day in July, and no king fishing on Sundays.

Homer: One per person per day, during summer, 2 per person per day rest of year. (King Salmon regulations in Alaska are subject to change at any time based on abundance estimates).

Silver Salmon (Coho) Fishing

Timing:

August into October

Techniques:

Trolling, Spincasting, Back bouncing, Fly fishing.

LOCATIONS:

Saltwater, Kenai, small coastal streams, Kasilof and Flyouts.

General Regulations:

  • 2 per person per day on the Kasilof.
  • 2 per person per day on the Kenai during August, 3 in September.
  • 3 per person per day all year on flyout.
  • No fishing for silvers on the Kenai River on Mondays.

Silver Salmon (Coho) Fishing

Kenai Coho (Silver Salmon)

In late July or early August, the Silver Salmon, or Cohos, begin returning to both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. Adult Coho migrate up these Alaskan rivers primarily in August through September with most of the Silver fishing on the Kenai taking place in the lower river near tidewater. The limit is three per day. Many anglers choose to fish the Kenai during this time when the river is a little quieter than during the busy King and Sockeye season. This is especially true in even-numbered years when millions of Pink Salmon flood into the Kenai. With both species present, there is loads of action. The fishery on both Kenai and Kasilof Rivers last through September; however every Monday is closed to fishing on the Kenai River only.

Timing:

August through September

Fishing Regulations:

  • Two silver salmon per day through August
  • Three silver salmon from September 1st on
  • No Coho fishing from a guide boat on Mondays

Kasilof Coho (Silver Salmon)

The Silver Salmon run on the Kasilof River occurs around the same time as that on the Kenai River with some early fish beginning to arrive in late July. Coho fishing on the Kasilof is done with drift boats using medium-light tackle, lures, and salmon roe. Fishing is usually very steady throughout the months of August and September. Mondays the Kenai is closed to guided Silver Salmon fishing so we will often fish the Kasilof on that day. Anglers enjoy the switch to fishing from drift boats, dropping from hole to hole on a relatively undeveloped river right in the heart of the Kenai Peninsula.

Timing:

August through September

Kasilof Coho (Silver Salmon)

Sockeye Salmon (Red) Fishing

Sockeye Salmon (Red) Fishing
The Sockeye run on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers occur from late May to the middle of August. During this time, millions of sockeye aka “red salmon” will flood into our rivers bound for the upper reaches of the river near the lakes. Sockeye are strong fighting fish and one of the most sought after fish both commercially and recreationally because of its delicious red meat and mild flavor. After reaching the spawning areas, they will transition from a silvery “chrome” color to now a bright red body with a green head. After pairing up, the female will create a nest or “redd” in the gravel for the eggs to be deposited. Like other salmon, they will remain on the redd until they expire.

Sockeye salmon fishing occurs mostly from the riverbank. When migrating up the river, sockeye tend to hold to the edges where slower current allows them to swim more easily. Many times when water clarity is good, you will be able to see the salmon migrating upriver at about walking speed. When targeting sockeye, timing is probably the most important factor. Correctly timing the tide’s “push” of fish can be the determining factor in the day’s success.

Timing:

Late May through August.

Techniques:

Wade fishing with a 10 weight fly rod.

Locations:

Kenai and Kasilof Rivers as well as our flyouts destinations.

General Regulations:

The limit for both rivers starts at three fish per person per day. Once the run is projected to meet its goal, the limit goes to 6 per person per day.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon or “Humpies” run in greatest numbers on even numbered years (so 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.) on the Kenai River. These fish enter the river in massive numbers where often you will witness “shoals” of fish aggregating in eddies, back channels and behind island tips of the lower Kenai River. While perhaps not the most sought after table far when compared to our other salmon species, they do provide great sport fishing opportunities and days of constant action. Take your choice when it comes to techniques: Casting spinners with light tackle spinning rods, back trolling or fly fishing with streamers. The pink run coincides with silver salmon, so typically the pinks provide a great bycatch while silver fishing, keeping action constant and anglers on the edge of their seat throughout the day.

Pink Salmon

Run Timing:

Late July through end of August.

Techniques:

Back trolling, casting spinners and flies.

Locations:

Lower Kenai River