What to Know Before Going
Transportation
There is ample transportation to towns and communities along the Kenai River, including air and bus services, and rental vehicles are available. Since the Sterling Highway parallels the river, access is easy and affordable.
Commercial air service is available numerous times per day (and night) from Anchorage to City of Kenai (flying time approx. 30 min.) with direct connections to Homer as well. Charters and air taxis also land in Soldotna. Daily bus service connects Anchorage to most all population centers on the peninsula. Renting a car or motorhome and driving the highway is a very popular option (2 to 2.5 hours from Anchorage).
Boat rentals are also available on the river.
Accommodations
The towns along the Kenai River all have a range of accommodations from which to select. Hotels and motels are featured in the larger communities of Kenai and Soldotna, while lodges, cabins, RV campgrounds, and bed & breakfasts are available in these as well as in Sterling and Cooper Landing. Reserve space early as the Kenai area is a very popular destination.
Gearing Up
If you do not bring your own gear, there are many sporting good and retail stores, tackle shops, and fly shops in which to purchase what is needed at a reasonable price. It is always advisable to keep the option open to buy terminal gear, tackle, or flies locally as area businesses feature the exact products that really work for area fish and fishing conditions. Additionally, these outlets are staffed with experienced locals that know the ins and outs and nuances of fishing the river and surrounding waters.
Hiring a Guide
Very few people know the Kenai and its fish as well as the sport fishing guides on the river and are a wealth of information concerning fish and their habits, water and weather conditions, and the multitude of details specific to the Kenai River. It is a learning experience and time and money well spent, especially if only in the area for a day or two. Also, it is worth hiring a guide to show you the ropes before attempting to go it alone. Ask questions and be willing to listen.
It helps to know beforehand what type of experience you want from the river, the fish, and the guide outfit. Fishing for king salmon on the lower river will provide a drastically different scenario than fly-fishing for rainbow trout on the upper river. There are outfits that offer hike-in, fly-outs, or marine excursions in addition to river trips. Many function as bed and breakfasts or operate full-service lodges with private cabins and all sorts of amenities.
If you are physically challenged by age or other factors impairing the ability to move around, fishing from a boat with a guide makes sense. A few boats are even designed to facilitate wheelchairs.
Fish Processing
Area communities all provide anglers with the opportunity to process fish. Most locales have freezer space available for a minimal fee while commercial processors offer to smoke and can your catch in addition to cleaning, filleting, vacuum packing, and overnight shipping.
“Combat” Fishing
During the peak of the fishing season – usually in July – parts of the Kenai River may become very crowded with anglers. It is particularly the lower river around Soldotna and the Russian and Kenai confluence that attract volumes of salmon-seekers. If solitude is what is important, fish the Kenai during the shoulder seasons (May and September/October) or avoid the pressure points entirely and focus on more remote sections of the river away from the highway. The autumn fisheries for late-run silver salmon and trout on the middle and upper Kenai are recommended.
But remember, where there are crowds of people there are often lots of fish to be found. Enjoy the company of your fellow anglers and join in the carnival atmosphere. Use heavier than normal gear and always wear glasses and a cap for eye protection.
Clothing & Gear
Bring a wide variety of clothing that cumulatively protects from most weather conditions you may encounter. Always dress in layers for comfort and practicality and, of course, rain gear is obligatory. Do not hesitate to bring a warm hat, scarf, and gloves. It can get downright chilly at dawn. As far as footgear goes, do not expect to fish in shoes or even short boots except on rare occasions. If you are on the Kenai to fish, come prepared by wearing at least some rubber hip waders. Neoprene chest waders provide plenty of warmth but may be too warm in mid-summer or if extensive hiking or wading is expected. The best choice by far is breathable chest waders.
Climate & Weather
The May to October fishing season can see a wide fluctuation of temperature extremes, ranging from freezing rain and snow as late as May and as early as September, with daytime highs well into the 70s and even pushing 80 degrees or more in July and August. Nights are always cooler – in the 40s and 50s, even in mid-summer. The driest months are May and June, while August and September experience frequent showers. Autumn weather is typically very unstable, from sun to heavy rain and wind in a matter of minutes. Expect below freezing temperatures starting in October and lasting into April, even during the day. Always be prepared for inclement weather no matter what the season.
Kenai’s Wildlife
The Kenai Peninsula has healthy populations of moose, bear, sheep, wolf, beaver, and a multitude of bird species, all of which are present in the forest and mountains surrounding the Kenai River and its tributaries.
Anglers fishing the Kenai for any extent of time are quite likely to come across at least one or two large types of animals common in the region – moose and bear. Avoid close encounters, which could promote a life-threatening situation. Bears are most numerous along the Kenai and its clearwater tributaries in late summer and fall, scouting for salmon in the shallows. They are often habituated to being around people but should always be treated with utmost caution and respect.
The best precaution to employ is always to make noise and avoid walking on trails in darkness and through heavy brush along salmon spawning streams – especially alone. If a bear appears unfazed by noise and does not respect your boundaries, leave area immediately in a calm manner. Additionally, keep all foods away from sleeping area such as a tent to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
Report aggressive animals – both bear and moose – to the proper authorities, such as Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, National Forest Service, or local police departments.
Rules & Regulations
The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), through laws enacted by the Board of Fisheries, publishes several booklets annually, each according to designated statewide regions, describing open or closed seasons and areas, gear restrictions, bag and possession limits, and many other points to follow in order to protect fish populations from potential harm or over-exploitation. The Kenai River drainage is covered in the Southcentral Regional Booklet under the Kenai Peninsula section.
The information contained within this book adheres to current laws; however, any set rule and regulation is, of course, subject to change through “emergency orders” posted by the ADF&G and the Board of Fisheries. In addition, it is entirely the responsibility of the individual angler to have knowledge and be in complete compliance of existing rules and regulations for the water he or she intends to fish. Ignorance is not an excuse. Always consult a current and official copy of the sport fishing regulations before making that first cast. Copies are available in many retail outlets in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula. If in doubt or have any questions, contact the nearest ADF&G office. Numbers are listed below.
Soldotna: (907) 262-9368 Anchorage: (907) 267-2218
For a copy of current rules and regulations contact:
ADF&G Division of Sport Fish
P. O. Box 25526
Juneau, AK 99802-5526
(907) 465-4180
www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/sf_home.cfm