The Kenai River has long been known for trout of epic proportions. With four species of salmon returning in the millions each summer, the trout benefit from an incredible abundance of salmon-based food. It’s no wonder this wild fishery produces some of the largest rainbow trout in the world. Fish in excess of 30 inches …
After several years of falling short of minimum escapement objectives, the 2025 late run of Kenai River king salmon narrowly met the recovery threshold of 14,250 large kings (greater than 34 inches). By the final day of counting, the cumulative sonar estimate stood at 15,015 fish. This benchmark was established under the Kenai River Late …
2025 – A Banner Year for Kasilof Sockeye In a year that saw record sockeye returns to the Kenai River, the Kasilof River delivered an equally impressive showing. By August 9, a total of 1,197,471 sockeye had passed the sonar at river mile 8, surpassing the previous record of 971,604 set in 2022. Peak run …
The 2025 silver salmon run on the Kenai River proved to be a standout season, with many anglers reporting size and aggression levels that surpassed expectations from previous years. While the 2024 season faced stricter management measures, the 2025 run offered more consistent opportunities, rewarding those who adapted to shifting river conditions. As your Kenai …
Looking for the live 2026 Kenai sockeye count? Daily sonar updates are published by ADF&G here. The summer of 2025 produced the largest return of sockeye salmon to the Kenai River since modern sonar counting began in 1987. By August 19, a staggering 4,252,497 sockeye had passed the Alaska Department of Fish & Game sonar …
The 2025 Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Return is projected to be 25% higher than the ten year average. Looking for the latest Cook Inlet sockeye forecast? ADF&G publishes annual forecasts here. ADFG Advisory Announcement For Immediate Release: January 27, 2025 CONTACT: Kyle Gatt, Research Biologist (907) 260-2923 Jack Erickson, Regional Research Coordinator (907) 267-2376 According …
Summary of actions at the 2024 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Meeting as it pertains to the sportfishing angler visiting the Kenai Peninsula for the next three seasons. The most significant action taken at the Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting held from February 23 to March 5, 2024, was in response to the “stock …
Governor Dunleavy Appointees Help Local Sockeye Sport Fishing The triannual Board of Fisheries meeting for upper Cook Inlet took place in early February in Anchorage and the seven member board, many selected by newly elected governor Mike Dunleavy, voted in favor of several proposals that shifted fish away from commercial fisheries and into the rivers. …
Kenai River King Salmon Fishing: A Guide’s Perspective Running a fishing business on the world famous Kenai River may seem like a dream job to some, but those that have “lived this dream” know it’s not always about bent rods and screaming drags. Fact is, even though we love to fish, during the peak of …
Two Rivers, Twenty Minutes Apart Why Fish the Kasilof River? That’s a great question! While there is certainly no doubt the Kenai is the world’s most famous salmon river—home to the largest kings on earth and the place of piscatorial dreams—just 20 minutes down the Sterling Highway is the Kasilof. It is a river slightly …
