King Salmon Information

Average 30-40 lbs. with trophies of 60-80 lbs. boated every year. The Kenai River King Salmon is considered to be the largest King Salmon strain in existence. There are two runs of Kings in the Kenai River. The first run is mid May through June, the second run is July 1, through July 31. Season closes July 31. Below Skilak Lake, guided fishing from a boat is not permitted on Sundays and Mondays in May, June and July (except on Memorial Day). Guided fishing is limited by law to twelve hours per day (from 6:00 am. to 6:00 p.m.).

Bag Limit

One fish per day, two per season. Fish & Game regulations disallow any further fishing from a boat (for that day) once a King is retained. The fisherman may fish from shore for the rest of the day, however. Also, a sportsman may catch and release, retaining the trophy of his choice.

Fishing Techniques

Back trolling: Holding the boat into the river current and slowly slipping backwards allowing the plugs and diver baits to work in the current behind the boat.

Free-Drifting: Turning the boat sideways in the current and throwing the weighted lures and bait upstream. The current moves the boat down river pulling the lures and bait down stream along the bottom.

Back bouncing: Bouncing bait or plugs behind the boat in the current, the weight hitting the bottom each time.

Best Times

There are other rivers in Alaska that have larger runs of King Salmon then the Kenai River . The Kenai River is known for it's size and quality of King Salmon, not it's numbers of King Salmon. Also the Kenai River is the best King Salmon fishery that is accessible by a road system. The first run of King Salmon is generally a good run, providing anglers with a good number of hard hitting salmon.

The second run of King Salmon, in July, traditionally produces larger quantities of bigger fish than the first run The current world record King Salmon of 97 1/4 lbs. was taken May 17, 1985. The Kenai also receives greater angling pressure (i.e. crowds) in July, than in May and June, because it is one of the few rivers in the area fresh King Salmon are still available.