Fishing The Kenai River in Alaska
Do you adore fishing? Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska? Kenai River fishing is an angler’s waking dream, actually the mother lode of salmon fishing. The Kenai runs an impressive 82 miles, from Kenai Lake in southern Alaska to the Pacific sea, at Cook’s Inlet.
Beginning in May, continuing thru mid-October, the Kenai promontory, just 3 hours south of anchorage, offers a buffet of fishing adventures you won’t soon forget.
Among the salmon varieties found are King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, with two runs every year. As well as record-sized salmon, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
If you like fishing, the Kenai River peninsula is heaven on earth. The biggest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985. Enthusiastic fishermen head to the Kenai headland, looking to best this record. A standard catch is forty pounds! It does not get much better.
Here’s a rundown of the Kenai River fishing season, to help you plan your vacation!
around the middle of June, there’s one run of the Red Blueback salmon, followed by another in the middle of July. If you like smoked salmon, you will want to be fishing now, as the Red variety is the king of smoked salmon. Reds are also highly prized for the grill, as well as canning.
Also running in mid-June and mid-July are the King salmon. While other brooks in Alaska yield more fish, the Kings of the Kenai stream are renowned for their great size. A typical catch in the second run is 40-50 pounds. Do not be surprised to net a King of a larger size!
Kenai River fishing offers 2 runs of Silver salmon, one in early August and another in late September. The bigger catches are customarily found in the Sep run.
If all of this isn’t really enough to make you salivate, the Kenai River yields trophy sized rainbow trout and dolly varden.
Your vacation plans should include a trip to Cook’s Inlet for a saltwater fishing excursion to Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the huge bottom-dwelling halibut live. The Alaskan record halibut of 466 pounds was caught in Kachemak Bay!
Drive just 30 miles from Kenai to Clam Gulch, a well-liked destination for clamming. Razor clams are abundant here. As the name implies, their shells are pointy, so be careful! Best digging times are when the tide is at minus 2 feet or lower. Check with the dep. of Fish and Game for local limits.
As you might guess, lodging is plentiful in the area along the Kenai River. You’ll find well kitted out cabins all along the Kenai, with wonderful guided fishing tours. Travelers come from all over the world to experience a Kenai River fishing vacation. Be certain to make a reservation! It is an experience you won’t forget. Bon Appetit!
This article was penned by Richard Codd, a keen angler who has fished on some of the finest rivers and lakes in the world. He writes for a well known fishing blog (www.bass-fishing.com) on the subject of Smallmouth Bass Fishing.
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