LOWER KENAI RIVER

Main Species: King, Red, Silver and Pink Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden

General Open Season: All Year (Skilak Lake to Killey River, June 11 through April 30).

Best Salmon Fishing: May – October

Best Trout & Char Fishing: July – October

 

Description

The “Lower” Kenai is that section of river from the outlet of Skilak Lake downstream to its terminus at Cook Inlet in the City of Kenai. This is by far the most populated portion of the river as the cities of Soldotna and Kenai line the bluffs above the water.

Heading downstream from Skilak Lake, the first several miles of river below the lake is believed to be the most remote area of the mainstem Kenai with no access roads or settlement, and absent the crowds of salmon anglers – even during the height of the fishing season. Slow to moderate current (Class I) dominates the first miles, yielding perfect holes, runs, and sloughs through the Kenai Keys area until Naptowne Rapids (Class III) just upstream of Sterling. From here on down the river picks up speed, runs swiftly through the Soldotna area with numerous mid-river islands and famed angling spots until reaching the City of Kenai. Flowing out onto the Kenai River Flats and the intertidal area, the Kenai slows down considerably to almost completely slack water and the banks of the river reveal a combination of rock, sand, and mud as a sign of very large tidal fluctuations of up to 28 feet.

Wildlife such as moose, caribou, eagle, bear, waterfowl, and other animal species are a common sight along this section of river. Beluga whales and seals swim up the lower river on high tides in pursuit of salmon.

 

Access

There are many roads along both sides of the river with a variety of access points from which to choose. Some points are privately or state owned; the municipalities of Soldotna and Kenai operate others. The Sterling Highway, as the main artery, passes through Soldotna with further access off Kenai Spur Highway, Funny River Road, and Kalifornsky Beach Road.

As some sections of the riverbanks are privately owned, anglers have complete access to the entire length of the Kenai by the use of powerboats or driftboats. Developed boat launches are present in several of the river access points and some of the best holes on this part of the river are only accessible by boat. Fishing from shore is possible in many areas but public roadside access to them is mostly limited to locations in and around the communities of Kenai, Soldotna, and Sterling.

 

 

FISHING THE LOWER KENAI RIVER

 

Highlights

It is the run of giant king salmon that placed Kenai on the map and nowhere is this as evident as on the lower river in mid-summer. The entire area flourishes with activity starting in May and continues right through July and even into August as anglers and guides plow the turquoise-colored water in search of trophy kings and filling coolers with red and silver salmon fillets.

Angling is superb for four species of salmon and other fish such as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. In fact, the stretch of river between Naptowne Rapids and Skilak Lake is known for producing the largest trophy trout and char in the drainage and can compete, pound for pound, even with the remote fly-in fisheries of southwestern Alaska.

 

Timing: Lower River

Species	Rating	Best Time
King Salmon	1)  Fair	early June – late June
	2)  Good	mid-July – late July
Red Salmon	1)  Fair	early June – mid-June
	2)  Excellent	mid-July – early August
Pink Salmon	1)  Poor-Fair	mid-July – late July
	2)  Excellent	early August – late August
Silver Salmon	1)  Excellent	early August – late August
	2)  Excellent	mid-September – late September
Rainbow Trout	Good	late June – late August
Dolly Varden	Excellent	mid-July – late August
1) Early run; 2) Late run

 

Timing: Middle River

Species	Rating	Best Time
King Salmon	1)  Fair	mid-June – early July
	2)  Good	mid-July – late July
Red Salmon	1)  Fair	early June – mid-June
	2)  Excellent	mid-July – early August
Pink Salmon	1)  Poor-Fair	late July – early August
	2)  Excellent	mid-August – late August
Silver Salmon	1)  Excellent	mid-August – early September
	2)  Excellent	mid-September – mid-October
Rainbow Trout	Excellent	late July – early October
Dolly Varden	Excellent	early August – early October
1) Early run; 2) Late run

 

Bank Fishing/Wading

Fishing from shore on the lower Kenai is much different than on the upper river. Even though the lower section is much longer with a multitude of developed access sites, the reality is that these sites do not provide much wading beyond the immediate areas around the parking lot or campground. And where there is plenty of shore fishing available, access is very difficult, hence the level of boat traffic on the river. Do not let this discourage you from exploring one or several of the established access points, however, as the fishing is great.

Moreover, the municipalities of Kenai and Soldotna have constructed extensive boardwalks in many areas to facilitate easier access and protect vegetation from being trampled. Please note that there are several spots along the river where fishing off the bank is prohibited from July 1 through August 15; these locations are posted and described in detail in the ADF&G rules and regulations booklet for Kenai Peninsula.

Expect to be in company with other anglers whenever in the vicinity of area towns and a shoulder-to-shoulder atmosphere is much the case in many places during the height of the July red salmon run in Soldotna.

 

Float Fishing/Boating

Power and drift boats and rafts are common on the lower Kenai. The majority of powerboats are used on the far lower end between Soldotna and City of Kenai, while floaters take advantage of the quieter scene of the “middle” stretch from Skilak Lake to Sterling. Although the Kenai is quite wide and deep in many places, there are spots where large rocks and boulders and sandbars can be a hazard to boaters, this being particularly the case in spring when water levels are extremely low. Unless having a good amount of experience navigating the river, a high level of caution is necessary. By July, the water volume increases dramatically, peaking in August. Water levels drop again toward the end of September and October.

Drift boats and rafters generally put in at Lower Skilak Lake Campground off Skilak Lake Road and Sterling Highway, floating from the lake downstream to take-out points in or near Sterling, such as Bing’s Landing or Morgan’s Landing. The drift is perfect for a full day of exceptional fishing.

 

Summary of Fish Species:

 

King Salmon

Rating: At the peak of the respective runs, the early run provides fair fishing, the larger late run good.

Season: Open to fishing January 1 through July 31.

Timing: Kings are available starting the first of May until the season closure on August 1, June being the peak of the early run, July the late run.

Size: The majority of fish weigh from 15 to 40 pounds with some kings exceeding 50 to 60 pounds. Late-run salmon are typically heavier, on average, than specimens of the early run. Trophy catches to 80 pounds or more possible.

Tips: Most anglers target the lower end of the river, from Soldotna to Kenai, since this is where kings stage in greatest numbers. Plugs and attractors are popular. The “middle” river, in the Sterling area, sees considerably less traffic and may produce very good action towards the end of the season, in late July. It is also the best stretch for catching kings on a fly. For chrome salmon, stick to the section of Kenai near tidewater. Avoid the middle river the first half of July due to an abundance of ripe (pre-spawning) early-run kings.

 

Red Salmon

Rating: Fishing is only fair for early-run salmon; however, the late run offers excellent action at its peak.

Season: Open to fishing all year.

Timing: Reds are present from May into September, the early run peaking in June and the late run in July/August.

Size: Average weight is 4 to 10 pounds, the late run typically producing the largest catches (12 to 14 pounds). Fish of the early run only occasionally reach 9 pounds or more.

Tips: The most productive stretch of the river is from just above tidewater upstream to the Sterling area and beyond. The tidal zone may yield good catches on outgoing tide. Focus on fast-flowing water near shore. Yarn flies are popular on the lower Kenai but streamers can be used with similar results. Lining is a common method. Some anglers also use beads or small clusters of salmon eggs, which may work better in slower current.

 

Silver Salmon

Rating: Excellent fishing is the norm for both the early and late runs; the latter generally has a longer peak.

Season: Open to fishing July 1 through November 30 (October 31 upstream of Bing’s Landing).

Timing: Silvers are available from July until the season closure, the early run peaking in August and the late run in September/October.

Size: Common weight is anywhere from 5 to 16 pounds, the late run known to yield larger average catches than the early run – into the teens is not unusual. Trophy silvers to 20 pounds or more possible in fall.

Tips: The most successful method for catching silvers on the lower Kenai is soaking or drifting clusters of salmon roe. Spinners and large attractor flies can yield excellent catches as well. Shore anglers and boaters alike seek out slower sections of water away from the main current. Focus on the tidal area and right above, the confluence of clearwater tributaries, and the deep holes and runs from Kenai Keys to just below Skilak Lake. The upper part of the river is generally most conducive to fly-fishing for silvers.

 

Pink Salmon

Rating: On even-numbered years, expect no less than excellent fishing; odd-numbered years only fair at best.

Season: Open to fishing all year.

Timing: The month of August is prime time to hit the lower Kenai but anglers may find bright fish as early as June or as late as September.

Size: Common weight is 3 to 6 pounds; fish in the early part of the season averaging only about half of what may be seen in the later part. Trophy catches to 8-10 pounds possible.

Tips: For chrome fresh-from-the-sea pinks, focus on the lower end of the Kenai downstream of Soldotna, preferably in tidewater and immediately above. The “middle” river may see a greater total mass of fish but the salmon here typically begin to show signs of color. Avoid strong currents and locate water with slow to moderate flows, such as the mouths of channels and sloughs. Try spoons, spinners, and attractor flies.

 

Rainbow Trout

Rating: Fishing is excellent in the upper section of the river and good lower down in the drainage.

Season: Open to fishing June 11 through April 30.

Timing: Rainbows are present in the Kenai all year long but more numerous and active during the summer and fall months. July through September is the peak.

Size: Average length is 10 to 25 inches with a weight up to 6 pounds. It is relatively common to find rainbows exceeding 30 inches and 10-12 pounds late in the season. Trophy trout exceeding 20 pounds is a possibility.

Tips: The best section of the Kenai to target trout is on the “middle” river, from near the Skilak Lake outlet downstream to the Kenai Keys area. This stretch of water is also synonymous with trophy rainbows and some of the biggest catches on the river have been from here. In the Soldotna area, anglers can also find productive action yet not the numbers or size of ‘bows caught higher up. Use attractor, egg (bead), and flesh flies.

 

Dolly Varden

Rating: Excellent action throughout the length of the river, from the mouth to Skilak Lake.

Season: Open to fishing all year.

Timing: Present in the Kenai year-round, typically more prolific in summer and fall. July through September is the peak.

Size: Commonly 10 to 22 inches long with a weight up to 3-4 pounds. Larger char in excess of 28 inches and 10 pounds not unusual in fall. A few specimens may reach 15 pounds or more.

Tips: In mid-summer, focus on the lower river between the mouth and Soldotna as sea-run fish enter the Kenai in large numbers. Try forage imitations. Come late summer and fall, head upstream and fish the stretch of water between Skilak Lake and Kenai Keys for the best fly-fishing of the year. Most anglers will dead-drift beads and flesh flies among the hordes of spawning and dying reds and pinks.