For healthy exercise and food, nothing beats catching a salmon along the Kenai River that runs through the town of Kenai, Alaska. The 82-mile river offers superb fishing for record-size king salmon along with sockeye, silver and pink salmon. The salmon runs occur during most of the summer and into fall. You can fish from shore, or try your luck from your own boat or a chartered boat.
Geography
The part of the river that flows through the town of Kenai is called the Lower Kenai River. The river flows from Skilak Lake for 50 miles before it empties into Cook Inlet on the Pacific Ocean. Kenai overlooks Cook Inlet. The Lower Kenai River picks up speed as it heads to the inlet, making power boats an important asset if you plan to actually catch salmon.
Time Frame
King salmon start entering the Kenai River in May and can be sought at Kenai through July. In June, the first sockeye salmon run occurs and lasts through August. Silver salmon start appearing in July and last through October. Pink salmon start appearing in late July and continue through mid-August. But this occurs only every other year because of the pink salmon's two-year lifecycle from egg to spawning fish.
Fishing License Requirements
An Alaska state fishing license is required to fish in the Kenai river. They're available online or at sporting goods stores in Kenai. If you plan to fish for king salmon, you also need to buy a king tag. As of 2010, annual residents can buy a fishing license for $24 with non-resident licenses running $20 for one day. King salmon tags cost residents $10 for an annual tag while non-residents will pay $10 for a one-day tag.
Public Access
Cunningham Park near Kenai has a boardwalk available for salmon fishing. The best fishing occurs during the incoming tide. The Kenai Flats State Recreation Site also has public salmon fishing access near the south end of the Warren Ames bridge. If you want to launch your own boat, you can pay a small fee at the city's boat launch located at the mouth of the river.
Charter Boats and Guides
A full-day trip with a charter boat and guide is available for around $250 as of August of 2010. The guide handles the boat while you focus on fishing. The guides usually know where the best fishing is taking place at any given time. Some guide services provide all equipment, including bait, tackle, rain gear and boots.
Fishing Lodges
Kenai fishing lodges offer package deals that usually include accommodations, some meals and salmon fishing expeditions with a boat and guide. Some of the lodges offer barbecue grills, fire pits and picnic tables so you can cook your catch that evening. Many also offer fishing cleaning, processing and vacuum packaging so you can send or carry your fish home with you.
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