Kenai Silvers at a Glance
Best Time: Mid-August – late October
Open Season: July 1 through November 30 (October 31 upstream of Bing’s Landing)
Fish Size: 6-15 lbs., up to 22 lbs.
Gear: Light-medium rod/reel, 12-20 lb. line
Tackle: Spinners, plugs, attractors, flies; roe
Techniques: Drifting, casting, plunking, wet fly swing
Hot Spots: Lower/Middle/Upper Kenai River
SILVER SALMON IN THE KENAI RIVER
As one of the largest producers of silver salmon in the state, the Kenai supports an estimated total population of between 100,000 and 150,000 fish. Most stocks within the drainage consist of a few hundred to several thousand salmon with some numbering into the tens of thousand. The largest is the mainstem Kenai stock with up to 100,000 or more silvers.
There are two main populations in the Kenai River; tributary and mainstem fish. As is the rule with all salmon species in this system, the tributary silvers arrive first with the mainstem fish following several weeks later. Being one of the most prolific species concerning drainage distribution, silver salmon may be found spawning from near the tidal zone, throughout the mainstem river, and on into most tributaries, including those at the headwaters.
Description
Ocean Phase: Metallic blue on back, silvery on sides, white on belly. Small black spots cover top of head and back; a few spots may be present on upper lobe of tail fin. Base of tail is thick; tongue and gum line on lower jaw is light grey. Flesh color is orange-red.
Spawning Phase: Brilliant red on sides, back is dark olive green to copper, head partial black to gold or copper, and belly black. Males develop a very distinct hooked snout, prolonged teeth, and a slightly humped back. Females retain seagoing shape but color same as males or somewhat darker. Flesh color is white.
Timing: Early-run fish arrive in July and August, spawning in tributaries in September and October. Moose, Killey, Russian, and Quartz are all major or important producers of early silvers. Late-run silvers come into the Kenai in September and October and are primarily destined for areas in the mainstem river. Spawning occurs during November and December; however, some fish breed as late as April.
Size: Common weight for early-run silvers is 5 to 12 pounds with catches of salmon to 16 pounds or more possible. Late-run silvers are bigger, averaging 7 to 15 pounds with a fair number of fish up to 18 pounds. Trophies of 20 to 22 pounds are not unusual and may even be quite common in some years. Maximum size is 24 pounds.
FISHING FOR KENAI SILVERS
The Kenai River is perhaps the largest silver salmon fishery in Southcentral Alaska with an average annual catch of 41,000 fish. Angling is done from shore as well as boats with the catch rate being about evenly divided. However, a boat is more versatile in accessing prime holes on the lower river that have little or no public road access.
Silver salmon are a favorite with many locals and visitors alike, much of their reputation owed to the fact that they are aggressive biters, abundant in most areas, and available over a longer period of time compared to other salmon species. For many, the autumn season is the best as silvers are peaking in numbers and the crowds of summer gone. It is a great time to enjoy the last salmon of the Alaska season.
When & Where
The months of August, September, and October are prime for silvers on the Kenai, with some salmon available in July already. The stretch of water between Soldotna and the City of Kenai is a favorite haunt with guides and locals alike as fish are very aggressive coming off the tides and tend to stage in large numbers in the tidewater holes. Farther upstream, in and around Sterling, there are a multiple spots to fish both from the bank and from boat that receive less attention than places on the lower end of the river. The upper Kenai probably has the least angling pressure and is a top producer of silvers, particularly late-run fish.
Timing
| Location (Area) | Rating | Best Time |
| Lower Kenai River | 1) Excellent | early August – late August |
| (Kenai/Soldotna) | 2) Excellent | early September – late September |
| Middle Kenai River | 1) Excellent | mid-August – early September |
| (Sterling) | 2) Excellent | mid-September – mid-October |
| Upper Kenai River | 1) Good | late August – early September |
| (Cooper Landing) | 2) Excellent | early October – late October |
| 1) Early run; 2) Late run |
Structure
Silver salmon, just like kings, may be encountered just about anywhere on the river, from near the surface to the bottom and straight across the main current. Early-run fish have a tendency to migrate in more shallow water closer to shore (10-15 ft. out, 3-5 ft. deep), while late-run salmon are just as often found in spots in the main current.
The most consistent catches occur in slack water areas, such as the mouths of sloughs and channels, and holes and pools of the mainstem river. The mouths of tributaries are excellent focal points. If casting from shore, you may locate fish in various places but most successful anglers tend to favor fishing slower current as opposed to faster water. Silvers holding in schools are generally more prone to aggression than individual salmon speeding through strong current between areas of rest.
What & How
The basic techniques and methods commonly used for king and red salmon will also work for silvers. Boaters sometimes back-bounce offerings with success but just as likely will anchor up in places where fish are concentrated and cast lures or soak bait. Anglers casting from the bank will use techniques similar to those fishing from boats with the added excitement of drifting lures, flies, and bait close to shore. The wet fly swing is popular in some areas on the Kenai.
Conventional Gear and Tackle
Just like the rich variations of methods and techniques that may be used to catch silvers, anglers can choose from a number of different gear types and tackle to suit personal preference and situations. General recommendations are as follows.
Spin-/Bait-Casting: 7- to 8 ½-foot, medium weight/action salmon rod and matching high performance medium-heavy freshwater spin-/bait-casting reel with 175 yards of 14- to 20-pound line.
Best Lures: Spoons, spinners, plugs, and attractors are all used, with medium-sized spinners (sz. 4-5) and plugs (sz. 8-12) being the top choices. Silver along with a base color of red, orange, and chartreuse to blue and green are standard depending on water conditions (murky vs. clear). Plain silver or nickel spinners can be deadly. Popular brand names include Vibrax, G.I. Spinner, Mepps, Wiggle Wart, Hot Shot, and Kwikfish.
Best Bait: Bait is more effective than anything else for silvers on the Kenai. A 2-inch chunk of salmon roe fished alone or with a small- to medium-sized attractor is simply unbeatable.
Fly Gear and Patterns
Anglers fishing on the lower end of the river prefer to use spin- and bait-casting gear for silvers as hardware and bait are generally more effective given the deep, swift, and turbid nature of the Kenai. The majority of fly-fishing takes place on the middle river – above Sterling – and on the upper Kenai and Russian where water conditions are more conducive. As with reds, an 8-weight system is the preferred choice for silvers.
Fly-Fishing: 7- to 9-weight, 9- to 10-foot medium-fast action rod and medium salmon class reel with smooth and reliable drag system. Use 100 to 150 yards of 20- to 30-pound backing, WF full float/performance taper floating, Type II-V or 200 to 300 grain T-series lines, sink tip, and 12- to 17-pound tippet.
Best Flies: In the mainstem Kenai River, anglers tend to favor flies with some color for visibility. Krystal Flash in combination with base colors of orange, pink, and chartreuse is good. Attractor and egg/flesh patterns (hook size 1-4) are proven. Try Flash Fly, Alaskabou, Popsicle, Bunny Leech, Battle Creek, Fat Freddie, and Wiggletail. In clear water, such as on the Russian, consider more neutral patterns, such as Woolly Bugger, Egg Sucking Leech, Comet, and Leech.
Methods and Presentations
Although not as technical as the king salmon fishery regarding methods and setups, there is nonetheless usually more to catching silvers consistently than when fishing for reds and pinks. Most boaters motor or drift to a spot, anchor, and either cast lures or plunk bait. Those casting from shore often use the same techniques with some modifications. Cast-and-retrieve, drifting, and plunking bait are the top techniques. Be on the water at dawn as fish are very aggressive, or fish the tides.
Casting: In spots with minimal to no current, this simple technique works great using spinners and attractor flies retrieved/stripped at varying speeds. Being very territorial, silvers will usually pounce on the offering when in line of sight.
Plunking: A tried and true technique involving the use of bait fished alone or with a small- to medium-sized attractor for added visibility. A 2-inch cluster of salmon roe is preferred; go smaller if used with an attractor.
Drifting: Technique done from boats and shore targeting fish holding or moving through an area of current. Spinners, attractor/roe combinations, and streamer and egg imitation flies are effective.
Rules & Regulations
Lower Kenai River: Open season is July 1 through November 30 (October 31 upstream of Bing’s Landing). The daily bag limit is two (2) fish during July and August and three (3) fish remainder of season.
Upper Kenai River: Open season is July 1 through October 31. The daily bag limit is two (2) fish during July and August and three (3) fish remainder of season.
Consult the ADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations for more information.