RAINBOW TROUT (Catch and Release Only)
Range in size from 10" to over 30" Average sizes are 16" to 24". Larger fish are more common later in the season, but trophy sized rainbows are available all the time. The longest released by one of our guests was 36". We love rainbows!
DOLLY VARDEN (Catch and Release Only)
What the heck are they? They are Char. In fishing terms, they are like trout. Dollies are the western version of the Brook Trout. While Kenai rainbows tend to get larger, we regularly see Dollies from 18-24" with larger fish available. The longest released by one of my guests was 32". Available all year.
SOCKEYE (RED) SALMON (Limits typically from 3-6 per day) There are two runs of Reds that we fish. The first run Reds are bound for the Russian River. We catch them starting June 11 for about 3 weeks in the Kenai River before they move up the Russian to their spawning areas. The second run Reds spawn in both tributaries and the main stem Kenai River. They run from mid July-mid August and are spawning in the Kenai into October. Sockeye are silver when they arrive from the ocean (good to eat) and then transform to red (not good to eat) as they near spawning. They typically range from 4-12lbs with the average running about 8lbs. We have weighed them up to 15.5lbs.
SILVER (COHO) SALMON (Limit 2 per day)
There are both tributary and mainstem spawning runs of silvers, but for fishing purposes, they are available from early August-October. They range from 6-20lbs with the average size being about 10lbs. Silvers are a great fish to catch on the fly and at times they can be easily tempted to take streamers.
KING (CHINOOK) SALMON - Lower Kenai and Kasilof River Only (Limit 1 per day)
There are two runs of kings, but for fishing purposes, they are available from mid May-July 31. There may be an extension into the first week of August, but it will not be announced until the last week of July. Kings range from 10-90lbs, with Kenai averages of 30-45lbs and Kasilof averages of 15-25lbs. The Kenai River was put on the map as a King Salmon destination. Most of the angling for Kings takes place on the Lower 21 river miles. The primary techniques are backtrolling and side drifting from power and/or drift boats. Fly fishing the Kenai for Kings is challenging, but possible under the right conditions.
PINK (HUMPBACK) SALMON (Limit 6 per Day)
While Pink Salmon are not known as a favorite angling species, when they run, they can provide fast action. They are often hooked incidentally while fishing for Silver Salmon. Pinks are great fun for novice anglers and kids looking for action from good sized fish. Pinks primarily run every other year (even numbers) in the Kenai. They are available late July-mid September.
