Kenai River Fishing Guides

After 34 years guiding these waters, I know exactly which river sections produce consistent limits throughout the run. We fish productive locations where our local knowledge puts you on fish without fighting the crowds that pack the popular access points. On good days you’ll limit out in a couple hours, and we’ve had clients catch their six-fish limit before most anglers even get their first hookup.

These fish fight hard, averaging 6-8 pounds, and they smoke beautifully for the trip home. We provide all the specialized sockeye the rods, reels, and terminal tackle and our USCG licensed guides will teach you the flossing technique that makes all the difference.

Rainbow trout fishing on the Kenai River runs from June through October, with the best action happening in September and October when the rainbows are feeding heavily on salmon eggs. Our Kenai River Trout Fishing Trips target both the middle and upper river depending on current conditions, water levels, and what you want to catch.

I’ve been a professional fishing guide on this river since 1990, and I can tell you that late-season trout fishing is some of the most productive angling we offer. We’ll fish beads, flies, or streamers depending on the time of year and where the salmon are spawning. Dolly Varden are also mixed in throughout the season, and they’re aggressive biters. These aren’t 12-inch stockers—we regularly see rainbow trout in the 25-30 inch range, and some fish push 30 inches plus if conditions are right.

The upper Kenai near Cooper Landing offers drift boat fishing through scenic canyon water, while the middle river from Skilak Lake to Soldotna provides excellent opportunities. Our guided trout charters include all flies, terminal tackle, and fishing gear. As a Kenai River Professional Guide Association Master Guide, I’ve spent decades learning where these fish hold during different water conditions, and that local expertise makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.

Silver salmon start showing up in the Kenai River in early August and run strong through September, with some fish still around into early October. Our Kenai Silver Salmon Fishing Trips target the lower and middle river sections as these fish push upstream from Cook Inlet.

Silvers are aggressive, they jump like crazy when hooked, and they’ll hit spinners, spoons, and flies, and bait with an attitude that makes them a favorite among serious anglers. If you want non-stop action and fish that are acrobatic and hard fighting, silvers are your best bet. September is my favorite month on the Kenai—the weather is cooler, the crowds thin out after Labor Day, and the silver salmon fishing is at its peak.

These fish average 8-12 pounds and they’ll test your drag and your arms. We fish from our custom 24-foot Willie boats fully equipped for comfort and room to fish. Our professional fishing guides know the holes, the timing, and the techniques that produce consistent results. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, and every trip includes fish cleaning at the dock. Book early for September because that is prime time for silver salmon fishing in Soldotna, and the calendar fills fast.

King salmon fishing on the Kenai River runs from mid-May through early July, with the peak hitting in mid-June when the big fish are staging in the lower river. Our Kenai King Salmon Fishing Trips often fish the lower river from Soldotna down to tidewater where these fish hold before pushing upstream.

The Kenai is known for growing the biggest king salmon in the world and the current world record king (97.4 pounds) was caught on this river in 1985. These aren’t easy fish to catch, and the season is short, but if you want a legitimate shot at a 40 or 50-pound king, this is the place.

I’ve been a professional Kenai River fishing guide since 1990, and I’m USCG licensed and factory pro staff for G. Loomis, Shimano, and Rapala. That means I know the gear, the techniques, and the water we will be taking you to. We fish from custom Willie boats and our experienced team of guides who know how to back-bounce, back-troll, and work plugs for all water conditions. King salmon fishing requires patience and heavy tackle—these fish average 30-50 pounds and they fight like nothing else. Our guided king salmon charters run full days because you’re working for every fish. We’ve put clients on kings for over three decades, and our 243 five-star Trip Advisor reviews reflect the experience and professionalism we bring to every trip. If you’re serious about catching Alaska king salmon, you need a serious guide.

Steelhead run the Kenai River in September and October, and most anglers miss them completely because they’re focused on silver salmon. These fish are tough to catch—they’re selective, spooky, and you’ll work harder for each hookup than any other species on the river. We fish beads, eggs, and small streamers in the middle and lower river sections where steelhead hold in deeper runs and tailouts. Steelhead average 8-12 pounds and fight harder per pound than anything else that swims in the Kenai.

As a Master Guide I’ve learned where these fish stage, what they’re eating, and how to present bait or flies without spooking them. Steelhead fishing is technical and you won’t catch the numbers you get with salmon. It’s about reading water, making precise drifts, and knowing when to set the hook on a subtle take. Our professional fishing guides use light tackle, long leaders, and specific bead colors that match the current egg patterns in the river.

If you want a challenge and you’re willing to put in the time and effort, we’ll get you into steelhead. This isn’t beginners, it’s for more for anglers who appreciate the hunt as much as the catch. We provide all specialized gear and terminal tackle, and every guided steelhead charter includes expert instruction on techniques that actually work on the Kenai River.

Pink salmon only run the Kenai River in even-numbered years, with August being the peak month when these fish flood the system by the thousands. Our Kenai Pink Salmon Fishing Trips are perfect for families, kids, and first-time Alaska anglers because pinks are aggressive, easy to catch, and you can limit out quickly. They average 3-5 pounds and hit spinners, spoons, and small jigs without much finesse required. Pink salmon aren’t fussy—they’ll eat almost anything shiny or flashy, and they fight hard for their size.

If you’re here in August during an even year (2026, 2028, 2030) and want fast action without spending all day on the water, pinks deliver every time. We’ve had kids as young as six years old catch their limit of pink salmon on our guided fishing charters. The middle and lower Kenai River see the heaviest concentrations, and we fish from our custom Willie boats with all tackle and gear provided.

After many of years operating guided fishing trips in Soldotna, I can tell you that pink salmon years are special because the sheer volume of fish in the river that creates nonstop action that you won’t find in odd-numbered years. The number of fish and aggressive bite make it the fishing easy and fun especially for kids.