Kenai & Kasilof River Fishing

The Kenai River is known throughout the world for its abundance of fish and the Herculean sizes to which they can grow. While the fish in the Kasilof River are slightly smaller, they are also there in abundance. It is an all around quieter experience, as there are fewer people and it is a drift-only river. The Kenai and Kasilof Rivers have four out of the five species of Pacific salmon that return to spawn each season in Alaska, as well as rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and steelhead. Kenai and Kasilof River fishing is absolutely unforgettable.

Alaska Drift Away Fishing guides target king salmon, the first species to enter the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers from mid-May till the end of July. Sockeye (red salmon), is the second species to enter the Kenai River from mid-June until the second week of August. However, we do not target them until the last week of July through the second week of August. The third and fourth species of salmon to enter the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, from the tenth of August on, are coho (silver salmon) and, if it is an even year, pink salmon (humpies). We target the coho, but inadvertently sometimes catch pink salmon. Peak times for rainbows and Dollies are the last two weeks of June and mid-August through October.

The guides of Drift Away river fishing trips use many different techniques to catch these Alaska salmon. Back trolling plugs and divers with bait are the preferred methods to tie into one of those huge Kasilof and Kenai River king salmon, while fly fishing is the technique we use to catch the feisty sockeye salmon. We have three different techniques to catch the acrobatic coho salmon. You can throw flies or a spinner in back eddies, back bounce, or back troll plugs and divers with bait. Whatever type of fishing you happen to be interested in, our Kenai and Kasilof River fishing guides will assist you in bringing home an Alaskan trophy.

The lower Kenai River can get quite busy during the fishing season, and power boats are allowed on this section of the river. If you would rather avoid the noise and bustle, consider fishing along the beautiful Kasilof River.

Cooper Landing Image ⓒ calliopejen

Cooper Landing

Cooper Landing is a good base for fishing the Upper and Middle Kenai River.

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Soldotna City Hall Image ⓒ Ajohns90

Soldotna or Kenai City

Base yourself in Soldotna or Kenai City for easy access to Middle and Lower Kenai and Kasilof River Fishing.

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Homer, Alaska Aerial Image ⓒ Scott McMurren

Homer

Homer is by the ocean and is a good fishing base for the Lower Kenai and the Kasilof. You can also fish for Halibut from here.

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