Kenai River King Salmon Fishing Charter
Home To The World's Largest King Salmon
Our Kenai River King Salmon Fishing Charters are some of our most sought after trips. Fishing for king salmon on Alaska’s Kenai River is a globally famous experience. It gives anglers a chance to catch some of the world’s largest and toughest King Salmon, also called Chinook. The Kenai River has multiple International Game Fish Association world records, including the all-time record of 97.4 pounds caught by Les Anderson in 1985.
Kenai River king salmon commonly weigh between 30 to 60 pounds, with larger ones caught almost every summer. Catching these trophy fish is best done by back-trolling and back-bouncing, skills you can quickly learn from skilled fishing guides. The Kenai River has two big King Salmon runs, the first from May to June and the second from July to mid-August. However, Kenai River king salmon fishing stops by July 31 due to regulations. Even with changes in fish size and numbers, the Kenai River always has a 100% wild king salmon return, with no hatchery fish. This makes it a unique spot for those eager to catch a once-in-a-lifetime king salmon.
King Salmon Fishing Charters
The Kenai River in Alaska is famous among anglers for its record-breaking King Salmon (Chinook Salmon). This fame comes from the largest King Salmon ever caught. On May 17, 1985, an angler named Les Anderson caught a King Salmon weighing an incredible 97.4 pounds.
This catch set a world record for King Salmon and made the Kenai River a top destination for salmon fishing fans. The size of Anderson’s catch is due to the unique genes of the Kenai River’s King Salmon, known for their exceptional size.
The Kenai River offers an ideal home for king salmon. Its nutrient-rich waters and abundant food help these fish grow large. The river’s ecosystem supports king salmon from youth to adulthood, letting them reach sizes rare in other rivers.
Kenai River King Salmon World Record
The record-breaking catch by Anderson has become a symbol of the exceptional fishing opportunities available on the Kenai River. Anglers worldwide are drawn to the Kenai River, hoping to catch their own trophy-sized King Salmon. This record boosts salmon fishing and stresses the need for conservation to sustain this magnificent species in the Kenai River.
The 97.4-pound King Salmon remains a benchmark for anglers, representing the pinnacle of freshwater fishing achievements. Its legacy continues to add to the allure and prestige of fishing on the Kenai River, making it a bucket-list destination for serious salmon anglers.
Catching a Kenai River king salmon from the shore is very uncommon as these fish run in the deeper channels of the river where a boat is necessary to reach them. Getting a Kenai River king salmon fishing charter is the best chance of getting one of these enormous fish.
The Kenai River: Alaska's Most ActiveKing Salmon Fishery
The Kenai River is Alaska’s most active king salmon fishery. King salmon in the Kenai typically spend one year in freshwater before heading to sea and return at varying ages and sizes, influenced by time at sea, food availability, and genetics.
While sizes vary, the Kenai is known for larger fish, with “four-ocean” fish often weighing around 50 pounds, unlike other streams. The river has two salmon runs: the early run in mid-May with peak fishing in mid-June, and the more populous late run starting in early July.
Management is strict, with specific restrictions and careful monitoring, including sonar programs and creel censuses, to ensure sustainable fishing. The Division of Sport Fish carefully regulates both King Salmon runs, following the Alaska Board of Fisheries’ strategies. Specific rules apply to bait, tackle, and sometimes the size of legally catchable fish. In years with low King Salmon returns, they may even close King fishing.
The Kenai River King Salmon Early Run
The early run of King Salmon on the Kenai River, also referred to as the first run, typically begins in mid-May and continues through the end of June. The Kenai River King Salmon Early Run is from May 16 – June 30. This early run is characterized by the migration of King Salmon that are often aiming to reach the smaller tributaries of the Kenai River where they were originally spawned. Specifically, these first run Kenai River King Salmon are headed for the Killey River and Funny River.
The fish that return during this period are generally fewer in number compared to the late run. The peak fishing days for the early-run kenai river king salmon are from June 3 – June 16th. King salmon caught on our Kenai River King Salmon Fishing Charter trips, during the early run, are usually restricted to less than 34″ in total length. This is approximately a 16 lb fish.
The Kenai River is far less crowded on the Kenai River king salmon early run compared to the intense crowds of July. Warm days and almost endless sunlight make this June fishery very peaceful.
Management of the early run is careful and conservative to ensure the sustainability of the fishery, with various restrictions on bait, tackle, and the size of the fish that may be harvested. These management practices are critical for maintaining the health and future viability of the Kenai River King Salmon population.
The Kenai River King Salmon Late Run
From the graph it is easy to see that the Kenai River king salmon late-run is significantly larger than the early-run. Officially the late run begins July 1st and will continue until around mid-August. Even though the run continues into mid-August, Kenai river king salmon fishing ends by regulation on July 31st.
For spawning, late-run King Salmon mainly use the Kenai River’s mainstem. In contrast, early-run salmon mostly use the river’s tributaries. The early-run tributaries are primarily The Killey River and Funny River.
Remarkably, 20 to 40 percent of these salmon spawn in the area from River Mile 10 to the Soldotna Bridge at River Mile 21. Also, it’s estimated that 50 to 65 percent of the king salmon spawn between River Mile 10 (Eagle Rock) and River Mile 36 (Moose River confluence).
Since many king salmon spawn below River Mile 36 of the Kenai River, this is where most Kenai River king salmon fishing charters operate.
Kenai River King Salmon Late-Run & Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Overlap
From mid-July to mid-August, Alaska’s Kenai River turns into a busy center for keen anglers, attracted by the unique overlap of salmon runs. In this time, the Kenai Peninsula sees the Kenai River King Salmon Run, the Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Run, and the Kasilof Sockeye Salmon Run all converge.
This overlapping phenomenon peaks from mid-July to mid-August, creating a highly sought-after window where anglers have the rare opportunity to target all three of these prized salmon species simultaneously.
The Kenai River sockeye salmon run can see daily numbers of more than 100,000 fish per day making the fishing incredible. Especially for those looking to fill their freezers with wild caught alaskan sockeye salmon.
This period is unique as it’s the only time these runs intersect, creating a diverse and thrilling fishing experience. As a result, this peak season attracts many fishing enthusiasts to Alaska. They’re all eager to catch some of the world’s most sought-after salmon species in one of the most beautiful and abundant fishing spots.
Kenai River King Salmon Fishing Regulations
Kenai River King Salmon Stocks are under strict management to keep these very special salmon from being over fished. Each year the Alaska Department of Fish And Game closely counts all the king salmon that enter the river using an underwater sonar system.
ADFG often restricts the types of lures and bait used, and may even close the fishery entirely. It’s important to check with ADFG for any “emergency orders” issued during the season, as they are quite common.
General regulations for Kenai River King Salmon state that you can catch one per person per day, with a yearly limit of two. Once you’ve kept a Kenai River King Salmon, you must stop fishing for the day. Additionally, you’re allowed a maximum of five king salmon from waters near the Kenai Peninsula.
Kenai Sportfishing charters
Kenai River Fishing
- Available: 5/16 – 9/30
- 7 Hour Fishing Trip full-day
- 5 Hours Fishing 3/4-day
- Up to 4 anglers per boat
- Large groups use multiple boats
- All equipment provided
- Combo Trips Available
- Private Boat Options Available
Kasilof River Fishing
- Available: 5/16 – 9/30
- 7 Hour Fishing Trip full-day
- 3/4-day not offered on Kasilof
- Up to 4 anglers per boat
- Large groups use multiple boats
- All equipment provided
- Combo Trips Available
- Private Boat Options Available
Bear & Fly-in Fishing
- Big River Lake: 6/10 – 9/30
- Crescent Lake: 6/20 – 9/30
- Brooks Falls: 7/1 – 8/2
Homer Halibut Fishing
- Available: 5/15 – 9/30
- Lingcod Available Starting 7/1
- Halibut, Combo, and Multi-species avaialble
- Overnight Trips!
- Private Boat Options Available
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!