King Salmon fishing on the Kenai River is world renown and for good reason. The Kenai has the impressive distinction of producing the world's largest sport-caught king salmon at 97lbs! Every year these mammoth salmon tip the scales at 70, 80, and even 90 pounds. Their sheer strength is unmatched and those that have done battle with these big fish will tell you the experience is not soon forgotten. Alaskan salmon is well known for being the finest salmon in the world. Being high in beneficial Omega-3 acids, wild Alaskan salmon is of much better eating quality and more nutritious than the farmed salmon you will typically find in the market. You can tell the difference by color alone. Wild Alaskan king, silver and sockeye salmon has a deep red color, unlike farmed salmon. And, there is no greater satisfaction than sharing your catch with family and friends when you get home.
The Kasilof River is 20 minutes south of the Kenai and also receives excellent returns of king salmon. In May and June, the Kasilof sees a run of both hatchery and wild kings and in July it sees a robust run of large, wild, king salmon that can rival Kenai kings in size. The Kasilof is a smaller river than the Kenai and is fished from drift boats (no motors) which makes for a very unique and peaceful fishing experience.
King Salmon Season: May 15 - July 31.
Limit: 1 per day, 2 per year on the Kenai River, 5 per year on the Kasilof.
Fishing Methods: Drifting, Back Bouncing.
Sockeye Salmon or red salmon, pound for pound, are the hardest fighting salmon in the world. Fresh from the salt water, these fish are like silver torpedoes and they are notorious for destroying reels and breaking rods. They average between 8-12 lbs. Since they swim close to the shore on their journey upriver the sockeye are most commonly caught from the bank. Without the right equipment and a little skill they're very difficult to land. Don't worry, mother nature gives persistent anglers plenty of second chances. Nearly 1 million sockeye return to the Kenai every summer. Sockeye salmon is well known for its superior meat quality and rich flavor, making it a favorite among locals when filling their freezers for winter.
Sockeye Salmon Season: June 1 - August 15.
Limit: 3 per day. Fishing Methods: Drifting from shore.
Silver Salmon start entering the Kenai in early August. These aggressive biters are known for their acrobatic fights. Once they arrive, action is nonstop and limits are common. Kenai silvers average 10-12lbs, with larger fish weighing close to 20lbs. These fish can be quite a handful especially on light tackle and fishing usually stays good through late September.
Silver Salmon Season: August 4 - September 30.
Limit: 2 per day. Fishing Methods: Back-bouncing, Backtrolling, Casting Spinners.
Pink Salmon or humpy are only available on even-numbered years. Their semiannual returns are hard to miss as literally millions of them arrive at once. They fill the river for about three weeks and are really very easy to catch. Children love catching them one after another and even adults have been known to join the chaos. Pinks have a high oil content in their meat and are best for eating when taken just out of the saltwater.
Pink Salmon Season: August 1 - September 15 (even years only).
Limit: 10 per day. Fishing Methods: Back-Bouncing, Backtrolling, Casting Spinners