Known as "Alaska’s Playground" the Kenai Peninsula is world famous for their fishing. People come from all around the state as well as the US lower 48 to fish here. There are many lodges and fishing camps that cater to this tourism niche.…Read More

Known as "Alaska’s Playground" the Kenai Peninsula is world famous for their fishing. People come from all around the state as well as the US lower 48 to fish here. There are many lodges and fishing camps that cater to this tourism niche. You can come for a day for a half-day (typically five or six hours) or full-day (eight or more hours) charter or book yourself a full, all inclusive fishing package that includes lodging and several fishing charters. Many will bundle freshwater fishing on a river along with open salt water fishing, giving guests the chance to catch several types of fish.

If you’re looking to do freshwater fishing, most will say they come here for the salmon, with four varieties that spawn here. Each has their own unique "run" cycle, most on an annual basis although the pink salmon (aka "humpies") typically only run every-other-year in even years. Here is a general summary of the summer timing for the salmon species’ runs:
• King (Chinook) Salmon – early May through late July
• Silver (Coho) Salmon – early August through late September
• Red (Sockeye) Salmon – mid June through mid August
• Pink Salmon – late July through late August

Many people fish in small four passenger flat bottom drift boats on either the Kenai or Kasilof River out of Soldotna. The concept is that you cast your line and then you drift down river with the current in hopes of coming across a run of fish. It requires a bit of effort on the part of the guide to continually be watching around so as to assure the boat (and lines) drift into appropriate fishing areas.

We have also seen folks "combat fish" on the Russian River here on the Kenai Peninsula. This is fly fishing at its best, with people standing waist high in the river fishing. Often where you find fly fishing happening, you may see bears fishing as well. If you’re interested in this, as a fisherman or spectator, check out the area just east of Soldotna where you can see the Russian River from the Sterling Hwy.

People also fish for rainbow trout and dolly varden. Admittedly, I don’t know much about this type of fishing but was told that it is also done largely on the river system of the Kenai.

Halibut, lingcod and saltwater salmon fishing can be done out of Seward, Homer or Ninilchik. If fishing is going to be done in Cook Inlet, which is a primary location, Ninilchik is probably the best place to charter from given it is on Cook Inlet and will reduce boat travel time by as much as an hour or more from Homer. Those fishing for salt water species out of Seward are not going to Cook Inlet as it is simply too far. I believe they are mostly fishing the Gulf of Alaska.

As a visitor to Alaska, you will need a fishing license which is available anywhere you book a charter, or other stores in town. You can buy a single or multiple day license. Be aware that if you’re fishing for king salmon you will also need a "stamp" that will permit you fishing for them. Also, you should check out the Alaska Fish & Game website for daily catch limits and catch-n-release requirements. Every year the fishing limits are evaluated so just because you know what they were last time you were here, doesn’t mean that will be right the next time.

For those looking to do a fishing charter or full vacation on the Kenai Peninsula, I would encourage you to write their local CVB for more information at www.KenaiPeninsula.org . They have a very good tourism council with many members willing to assist you in your planning. Additionally most of the communities throughout the Kenai have their own chambers or visitors bureaus so check them out as well.
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