Kenai Kings at a Glance
Best Time: Late May – late July
Open Season: January 1 through July 31
Fish Size: 15-40 lbs., up to 90 lbs.
Gear: Medium-heavy rod/reel, 25-40 lb. line
Tackle: Spoons, spinners, plugs, attractors; roe
Methods: Back-bouncing, back-trolling, drifting
Hot Spots: Lower Kenai River
KING SALMON IN THE KENAI RIVER
Largest of the Pacific salmon and generally distinct from other species by their size and early appearance, Kenai kings are made up of a multitude of stocks, most of which are small numbering only a few hundred specimens or less. Some are large, easily in the thousands. In total, the Kenai receives an impressive 25,000 to 40,000 or more fish, making it one of the top king salmon producers in Southcentral Alaska. A sonar unit near Soldotna enumerates kings entering the river.
Two main populations are present in the river; tributary fish and mainstem Kenai fish. Tributary salmon arrive first and are the least numerous, followed a few weeks later by the physically larger and more abundant mainstem kings. Collectively, their range within the drainage is extensive, spawning from just above tidewater in the mainstem Kenai to near headwaters in small tributaries. However, the vast number of kings only use the main river and two of its tributaries for spawning with minor runs everywhere else.
Description
Ocean Phase: Greenish- or blue-black on back, silvery to white on lower sides and belly. Black irregular cross-markings on back and upper sides. Both lobes of tail fin and top of head are covered with black spots. Tongue and gum line on lower jaw are black. Flesh color is orange-red.
Spawning Phase: Bright red or maroon on sides, back and head are dark reddish-black, and belly black. Males develop a kype, large teeth protrude from jaw, and spine takes on a ridgeback condition. Females retain seagoing shape but color same as males. Flesh color is white.
Timing: Early-run fish arrive during May and June, with spawning taking place primarily in clearwater tributaries in July and August. Funny and Killey rivers are major producers of early fish but a portion of the run also utilizes areas of the mainstem Kenai for spawning. The late run shows up in July and August and spawns in mainstem Kenai during August and September.
Size: Common weight for early-run kings is 15 to 40 pounds with occasional catches of fish more than 60 pounds. Late-run kings are generally larger, from 20 to 50 pounds on average, with trophies up to 80 pounds or more. The state/world record king salmon was caught in the Kenai River on May 17, 1985, measured almost 59 inches long, and weighed 97 pounds, 4 ounces.
FISHING FOR KENAI KINGS
The vast majority of angling is done from boats, as landing big kings from shore is difficult. Most of the information presented here assumes a boat is employed; however, there are tips on how to go about the challenge of catching a king off the bank if you so should choose. Kenai River is not an easy fishery for “do-it-yourself”-type trips and requires significant knowledge of big water and big fish, skills to navigate strong current, and familiarity with proper heavy boat traffic etiquette.
What is considered good or excellent fishing for king salmon here may not necessarily be true of other drainages in Alaska as the Kenai is not so much a quantity as it is a quality fishery. That is, if you want fish-on-every-cast action and take home coolers full of king fillets, go elsewhere. If you are looking at the novelty of possibly catching one of the huge salmon that Kenai is famous for, look no further. What more of a thrill can an angler ask for knowing that the next strike could prove to be a monster of 70 or 80 pounds – perhaps even the next world record?
When & Where
The first salmon species to arrive in the Kenai, king salmon have been caught as early as April and are available until the season closure on the first of August. Runs peak in June and July but fishing can be productive in May as well. Only the lower Kenai is open to king salmon, from its mouth at Cook Inlet upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake, with good opportunities along the entire stretch of water. Most guides on the Kenai prefer the tidewater holes up to Soldotna since the fish are just coming in off the tides and very aggressive. Some also work the “middle” river around Sterling and many local anglers do better there as well as the lower river can be too intense with activity.
Timing
| Location (Area) | Rating | Best Time |
| Lower Kenai River | 1) Fair | early June – mid-June |
| (Kenai/Soldotna) | 2) Good | mid-July – late July |
| Middle Kenai River | 1) Fair | mid-June – late June |
| (Sterling) | 2) Good | late July |
| Upper Kenai River | Closed | Closed Season |
| (Cooper Landing) | ||
| 1) Early run; 2) Late run |
Tip: Hire a Guide
On average, it takes 29 hours of fishing effort to net a Kenai king. You can improve the odds significantly, down to a few hours, by hiring an experienced guide since they know all the nuances of this fishery.
Structure
King salmon can be found most anywhere in the Kenai, from near-shore shallows to the deepest holes; however, fish do generally prefer the deeper sections of the river and pattern their migration upstream accordingly. Some spots are better early or late in the season as variations in current and depth create different situations or circumstances in terms of suitable structure.
Wherever there are deep pockets, holes, and runs – even in areas with a strong current – you can expect to find concentrations of kings. Seek out structure such as mid-stream islands, submerged islands and shallow reefs, jetties, and boulders as these are ideal concentration points.
What & How
King salmon is the least user-friendly species of all the salmon on the Kenai. To be successful on a consistent basis means having extensive knowledge of water conditions, tides, fish movement, and lure choice, a task many anglers happily leave in the hands of a professional guide. Having access to a boat and using the right method is imperative in landing one of these fish and is covered to some extent in this section. Recommended gear, lures, and setup is detailed below but keep in mind that, if hiring a guide, all of this is furnished.
Conventional Gear and Tackle
Fishing for Kenai kings requires tough, high-quality equipment. If you want to bring your own, the information below will help decide what you need and shows what experienced guides and locals favor.
Spin-/Bait-Casting: 7 ½- to 8 ½-foot heavy, medium-fast action rod and heavy freshwater or light saltwater reel with 25- to 40-pound test high-visibility line.
Best Lures: Plugs and attractor/bait combinations are by far the top producers of kings on the Kenai with some success using heavy spoons and size 6 spinners as well. Large plugs like Wiggle Wart, Tadpolly, Hot Shot, and Flatfish are all good with the K-16 Kwikfish being an all-time favorite. As for attractors, large Spin-N-Glo and Cheaters are used, usually rigged with 4/0 to 6/0 single or dual hooks. A multitude of colors and color combinations can be used, the standard ones being fluorescent red, orange, and chartreuse. Darker or more subdued colors are often used when water is low and relatively clear.
Best Bait: A large chunk of cured salmon roe (2-3 in.) fished in combination with an attractor is deadly for kings. Equally effective are sardine-wrapped plugs.
Fly Gear and Patterns
As the Kenai is wide and glacial with swift currents and deep water, fly-fishing is generally not a good option. It can be done, however, success depending on skill level. Additionally, Kenai kings are large and powerful and a serious challenge even for experts. You may want to consider using a spey rod.
Fly-Fishing: 10- to 12-weight, 9 ½- to 10 ½-foot rod with a fighting butt and big game reel with excellent drag system. Use at least 150 yards of 30- to 50-pound backing, fast sink-tip Type III-IV lines or T-series, extra heavy 400 to 600 grain lines with heavy salmon leader, and 15 to 25 feet of 25- to 40-pound tippet.
Best Flies: Large, gaudy, fluorescent flies in orange or orange-chartreuse combinations tied on a size 4 to 2/0 hook are best, such as over-sized variants of King Killer, Fat Freddie, Wiggletail, Alaskabou, Everglow, and Bunny Fly. Include white marabou and generous amounts of silver Krystal Flash for added effect. Colored yarn works well too.
Methods and Presentations
There are five proven methods to catch Kenai kings: Back-trolling, drifting, back-bouncing, anchoring, and power-trolling, all of which serve specific purposes depending on current flow, depth, angler skill level, personal choice, and space availability. Back-trolling and back-bouncing are the two favorite methods by guides as well as locals. If near the tidal zone, fish according to the tides. Be on the water by dawn.
Back-trolling: Large plugs and attractors, preferably with sardine wraps or salmon roe combinations, are best.
Drifting: Attractor with or without bait is the typical lure application.
Back-bouncing: Attractor and attractor/bait combinations are best with this method.
Anchoring: Plugs and attractors are used along with bait.
Power-trolling: Plugs, attractors, and spinners can be used, with bait if desired. Plug-cut herring can be effective as well.
Bank Fishing for Kings
There are several spots where patient anglers have a chance of catching kings from shore.
Kenai: Cunningham Park yields fish from time to time and is an excellent spot to land big kings.
Soldotna: Centennial Campground and the stretch of water adjacent to the island; Soldotna Visitor’s Information Center and the boardwalk just downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge; Swiftwater Campground, especially in July; Soldotna Creek Park.
Sterling: Morgan’s Landing, Bing’s Landing, and the mouth of Moose River at the Izaak Walton Campground.
Gear & Tackle: Heavy action rod and level-wind reel filled with at least 40-pound test line is highly recommended. For longer casts using heavier line test, you may want to consider using ultra-thin braided line.
Anglers in the know commonly use large spoons (7/8-1 oz.) and spinners (sz. 6), with or without a sinker depending on distance, depth, and speed of current. Some even modify their lures by connecting two spoons together for added weight. Attractors in combination with salmon eggs along with a sinker are reliable. Most effective techniques are to cast and drift or let offering sit on bottom.
Rules & Regulations
Lower Kenai River: Open season is January 1 through July 31 in that section of river from the outlet of Skilak Lake downstream to the mouth. The daily bag limit is one (1) fish with a seasonal limit of two (2).
Upper Kenai River: No open season – closed to king salmon fishing all year.
All Tributaries: No open season – closed to king salmon fishing all year.
Emergency orders are placed every few years either liberalizing or restricting the fishery. If runs are below normal, size, bait and/or seasonal restrictions may be forthcoming. Take note that there is a bait ban in effect from January 1 through June 30 that is lifted only when there are sufficient numbers of salmon present and the minimum escapement goal is assured. In addition, a slot limit is regulated on the early run to protect large spawners. The king season may be extended into early August if the late run proves exceptionally strong.
Consult the ADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.