Kenai River
Pink Salmon Fishing Trips
We offer both half and full day pink salmon fishing trips. Pink salmon runs on the Kenai only occur on even numbered years and the peak of this fishery normally occurs in the first two weeks of August.
During this time the pink salmon enter and congregate in the lower and middle sections of the river and if caught within a couple days of entering the fresh water, their meat quality is very good.
Where We Fish For Kenai River Pink Salmon
Although pink salmon can be caught throughout the main stem of the Kenai on even numbered years, we primarily fish for them in the lower Kenai when we intend to retain limit catches.
Pink salmon do lose their meat quality faster than other species after entering fresh water but when fishing for pinks in the lower Kenai in early to mid-August, many of the fish still have sea lice attached to them and are merely removed from the ocean. The female pinks tend to provide the cleanest filets and have the finest meat quality.
Kenai River Pink Salmon runs are estimated to be in the millions and are bi-annual (even years only). They begin to arrive in late July with peak numbers flooding the lower Kenai in the first week to ten days of August. Pinks tend to school up in larger groups just above tide water before moving upriver to spawn in mid-August.
Pink Salmon spawn predominantly in the middle section of the Kenai River spanning from several miles below Skilak Lake down to just above tide water.
For anglers seeking continuous action, pink salmon are an excellent choice. Their abundance and eagerness to strike various lures make them particularly suitable for children and those desiring a “one after another” fishing experience.
Kenai Pink Salmon Fishing Rates
August / September / October
Kenai Half Day – $295pp
Up to 5 hours
Kenai Full Day – $350pp
Up to 8 hours
Things To Know About Kenai River Pink Salmon:
*Pink Salmon are the smallest in size of all pacific salmon but return in the highest overall numbers.
*Pink salmon, commonly known as “humpback salmon” or “humpy,” get their name from the large hump that males develop before spawning.
*In August 2016, the Alaska state record for sport-caught pink salmon was broken twice in a single day on the Kenai River. Initially, Thomas Salas landed a 12-pound, 13-ounce pink salmon, surpassing the previous record of 12 pounds, 9 ounces set in 1974 on the Moose River. However, just hours later, Robert Dubar caught a 13-pound, 10.6-ounce pink salmon, establishing the current Alaska state record.
How we fish for Kenai River Pink Salmon
Pink Salmon are known to be one of the most aggressive of all the salmon species and will readily strike a wide variety of lures. By far one of the most effective and popular methods for catching pinks is casting and retrieving spinners such as Blue Fox Vibrax or Mepps.
Kenai River Pink Salmon Limits
The limit for pink salmon on the Kenai River is six fish per person, per day. You are allowed to retain a six fish limit of pink salmon on top of a limit of other salmon species.
FAQ’s About Pink Salmon Fishing
What is the best time to fish for pink salmon?
Is the Kenai River pink salmon in 2024?
What year does pink salmon run in Alaska?
How do you catch pink salmon in a river?
More Information on Kenai River Salmon Fishing
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2023 was a standout season for a number of reasons but most notably for lots and lots of sockeye and lots and lots of rain. I have said it before and will say it again, each and every season seems to have its own distinct personality and flavor and no two seasons ever seem to …
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