How To Fish For King Salmon
King Salmon Fishing On The Kenai River & Kasilof River
Welcome to our ‘How To’ fishing series. We’re excited to present: Mastering King Salmon Fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. This guide is crafted with care, showing you key techniques for early and late run fisheries. These techniques are vital for fishing in the iconic Alaskan rivers. In our series, we share important techniques for targeting king salmon on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.
We’ll cover topics from choosing the right bait to adapting your approach. This includes adapting to the salmon’s unique behaviors and seasonal changes. Additionally, we offer insights on configuring our boat for the best fishing experience. These insights are specific to the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. Knowing how to set up the right equipment is key. We detail selecting and setting up rods and reels for King Salmon fishing.
This guide is for all anglers, whether you’re experienced or new. It aims to improve your skills and knowledge, bringing you closer to catching a King Salmon. It will also give you some advanced information should you be joining us on one of our charter trips.
Rule #1 - Show up when the fish do
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s sonar counter is critical for understanding king salmon returns on the Kenai River. Sport fishing anglers can use this data to determine the most productive fishing days each year. The sonar counter uses sound waves to count salmon. This provides crucial data on population trends and migration patterns for sustainable management.
This information ensures King Salmon populations stay healthy. It balances ecological and recreational needs. Kenai River King Salmon have a remarkable homing instinct. This is one of their most fascinating aspects. These fish return to their birthplace with incredible precision every year. It’s believed they return to their parents’ exact spawning spot. Their timing is precise, usually within days of their parents’ past presence.
Understanding their return timing and frequency gives us insights into fishery health. This knowledge is vital for preserving the fishery for future generations. This tool not only assists anglers in planning their trips but also plays a crucial role in conserving one of Alaska’s most treasured natural resources.
When to Fish The Kenai River For King Salmon
The Kenai River, renowned for its King Salmon, witnesses two distinct runs of these majestic fish each year: the early run and the late run. The early run, spanning from May 15th to June 30th, is typically smaller in the total number of fish that return each year. If fishing the Kenai River king salmon early-run, the best dates would be from June 3rd to June 16th, that anglers have the best chances of a successful catch. Notably, it was during this early run that the Kenai River made history in 1985, with the world record for the largest King Salmon caught on May 17th, a testament to the river’s legendary status among anglers.
Following the early run, the late run begins on July 1st and continues until August 20th. However, fishing regulations stipulate an end to King Salmon fishing on July 31st. The peak period for this run, offering optimal fishing opportunities, falls between July 11th and July 31st. This late run is characterized by larger numbers of King Salmon making their way up the river, creating an exciting and rewarding experience for fishing enthusiasts. Each run presents unique opportunities and challenges, making the Kenai River a premier destination for those seeking the thrill of catching King Salmon.
Rule #2 - Fish Where There Are Fish
The Early Run
The Kenai River is famous for its King Salmon. It has two distinct runs each year: early and late. The early run lasts from May 15th to June 30th. It generally has fewer fish returning each year than the late run. The best dates for early-run King Salmon on the Kenai River are June 3rd to June 16th. Anglers have the high chance of success during this period.
The Kenai River set a world record in 1985 during the early run. The largest King Salmon was caught on May 17th, marking the river’s legendary status. After the early run, the late run starts on July 1st and goes until August 20th. King Salmon fishing ends on July 31st due to regulations. The late run’s peak, with the best fishing, is from July 11th to July 31st.
The late run brings larger numbers of King Salmon to the river. This creates an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers. Each run on the Kenai River offers unique opportunities and challenges. It’s a top destination for catching King Salmon.
The Late Run
The late run of King Salmon on the Kenai River are also called “main stream spawners” because they spawn directly in the Kenai River. In fact, it is estimated, 65% of all late-run Kenai River king salmon will spawn between mile 12 and mile 36 at the Moose River.
All of these king salmon will enter the river on the incoming tides and have to make their way through the lower Kenai River where conditions are very good for catching them on their way to their spawning grounds.
King Salmon Fishing Boat Setup
One of the most important things for successful king salmon fishing is the setup of the boat and the rods themselves. Several tips and tricks can prevent line tangling. These are especially useful for novice anglers. The most important is spreading out the rods to create as much horizontal separation as possible.
One method is to set the lures back from each rod at varying distances. This reduces the chance of lures crossing while moving along the bottom. Rods on the left and right sides usually have lures set back about 50′. The rods at the back have lines set out around 65′ to 75′. Spacing the rods 8-10 feet apart horizontally and 15′ to 20′ back from the boat reduces tangling. This setup is essential for smooth fishing.
At Kenai Sportfishing we have line counters on all our rods so that we know exactly how far back from the boat each lure is located.
Baits and Lures
There are many effective baits and lures for Kenai River king salmon. It’s important to remember that these fish don’t eat while swimming upstream. We use two main methods to attract them to bite a lure.
The first method is annoyance. The lure becomes irritating to them as they move upstream. They find the lure in their path annoying and strike at it. The second method involves using eggs as bait. The fish view these as competitive offspring. They strike at the eggs to remove competing genes, while promoting their own. Eggs behind a spin-n-glo are slightly irritating. They also present the eggs effectively to the fish.
Both Kwikfish and Spin-n-Glo’s make excellent lures both baited and unbaited, but there are other great choices too. Building your own rigs, adding multiple spin-n-glo’s, using maglip lures or other vibrating lures. Experimenting is 1/2 the fun – catching is the other 1/2!
Kenai River Vs. Kasilof River
There are some unique challenges between fishing the Kenai River vs. the Kasilof River. On the Kenai, we use power boats to move up and down the river. When its time to fish, after putting the lines in the water we’ll apply just enough power to the engine that the current slowly pushes us backwards. Hopefully right in front of some king salmon headed up the river.
The Kasilof requires the use of a drift boat for fishing. This puts more presure on the guide, or person rowing the boat, to make sure the boat is lined up perfectly with the current. At any time if the drift boat starts to get sideways in the current there is the chance to tangle the lines.
Also, on the Kenai River, because of our use of power boats we can easily move upstream fishing almost anywhere we please. And, we can make the same run over and over again. On the Kasilof River, because we are in a drift boat we get 1 shot at drifting the hole. The good news is that we are allowed to anchor in the Kasilof River so it’s possible to at least stay put in a known good spot waiting for a strike.
What to Bring
At Kenai Sportfishing, our guided king salmon fishing trips come equipped with nearly everything you need for a successful day on the water. Our trips include top-quality rods, reels, bait, nets, and essential gear. You need to bring a valid fishing license with a king salmon stamp.
To ensure you have a comfortable experience while fishing with us, here are some items you might consider packing:
- Your fishing license and king salmon stamp.
- Pack clothing for unpredictable Alaskan weather.
- Layer with warmer clothes for the morning and lighter ones for afternoon.
- Rain gear is also wise. Check the weather forecast to plan your attire.
- Consider a hat and gloves for cooler hours.
- Bring sunglasses for eye protection and clear vision.
- Pack your lunch, snacks, and drinks. Adult beverages are welcome.
- A waterproof case is essential for your phone. It protects against water and rain.
- Bring a great attitude!
- We’re excited to share our passion for fishing.We’re all in this together, aiming for an unforgettable day of fishing!
What Are The chances of catching a Kenai River king Salmon
Let’s be upfront about it: fishing for Kenai River king salmon is a complex game with no guarantees. It’s a dance with nature where patience, effort, timing, and expertise all play pivotal roles. And sure, we’ve got the know-how, but does that mean you’re certain to land a king salmon? Absolutely not. In fact, be wary of anyone who suggests otherwise.
There are a myriad of ever-changing factors at play here. Water levels shift, rain patterns alter, regulations on bait usage fluctuate, and most crucially, the strength of the salmon run varies each year. These variables are significant and unpredictable.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s studies shed light on this uncertainty. Past reports have shown that for early run Kenai River king salmon, unguided anglers take about 32 hours on average per catch, while guided anglers take around 14.9 hours. For the late run, which sees more fish, the hours drop to 23 for unguided anglers and 13.6 for guided ones. You can delve into these stats on pages 20 & 21 of their report under the CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) column, available here: Kenai River King Salmon Study.
In essence, even in the best conditions, fishing for Kenai River king salmon is more about the pursuit than the catch. It’s trophy fishing in the truest sense – a challenging and rare achievement. These aren’t fish that just leap into your boat. Catching a Kenai River king salmon is an event, a memory so grand you’ll be sharing it with your grandchildren. As a wise friend once said, it’s not just a catch; it’s a fish you might be telling your grandchildren about.
Ready to go Fishing?
Ready to cast your line into the stunning waters of the Kenai River? For more information or to book your unforgettable fishing adventure, visit our ‘Trips & Bookings’ page. Dive deeper into the Kenai River experience and secure your spot with Kenai Sportfishing today – where epic catches and breathtaking scenery await!