King (chinook) Salmon - The Prize Of Kenai River

the ten record setting King (Chinook) Salmonriver at Cooper Landing.
were caught in Alaska’s Kenai River. TheThe upper part of the Kenai flows down to and
average size of Kings in Alaska is 20 pounds, butends at the Russian River, a tributary that plays
typically the Kenai yields 50-pound Kings. Kinghost to thousands of Sockeye Salmon. Just down
Salmon spend 2 to 5 years in the ocean beforeriver from this tributary is the Kenai River Ferry,
they come back to spawn. Thus, the size ofwhich transports thousands of fishermen to the
these fish can vary quite a bit. The largest Kingriver’s far bank. This section is popular with
caught on the Kenai weighed 97.25 pounds.anglers and it’s often packed.
What makes the Kenai such a popular spot forGoing down river, you’ll find many miles of
fishing fanatics? There are certainly other rivers inbeautiful views, natural settings, and bountiful
Alaska that host greater numbers of salmon.fishing. In this stretch between the Russian River
(This isn’t to say that the number ofand Jim’s landing, despite the fact that
salmon in the river is small. There’s plentyit’s bordered by the busy Sterling Highway,
to go around for all wanting to have a great day,you will experience isolation and peace due to the
week, or month fishing.)natural buffer created by trees and thick
This river draws fishermen for three primaryvegetation.
reasons—size of the Kings, abundance ofThe Kenai River meets Skilak Lake, forming the
varieties of salmon, and the number of runs formiddle part of the river, which goes to Soldotna
each type. Along with the King, the Kenai isBridge. If you’re looking for wildlife and
stocked with Sockeye (Red) Salmon and Cohotrue isolation, this section is for you. With a
(Silver) Salmon, with each of the species havingten-mile stretch that has no boat access and a
two runs between May and October. And thenvariety of animals, including moose, bear, and
there’s the size of the Kings. If you wantwaterfowl, the Kenai embraces the wild. To get
the best chance of landing a trophy Chinookto some prime fishing, you’ll need a boat;
Salmon, the Kenai River is the place to be.however, some parts of the middle river can get
It’s a short jaunt from Anchorage to thetoo low to navigate. Throughout the summer, the
80-mile long Kenai. The first time you see theKenai rises, allowing boats easier passage.
river, you may simply be stunned. With strikingIn this remote section you’ll find some of
sapphire waters created by glacial melt, the riverthe best trout and Silver Salmon fishing on the
is simply breathtaking. Conservation measuresriver. Unlike the upper and lower parts of the
have been instituted to preserve the naturalKenai, this section has fewer sportsmen, guides,
beauty and nurturing environment of the river forand visitors on it.
residents and visitors.Soldotna Bridge marks the end of the middle
During fishing season, the Kenai supportssection and the beginning of the lower part, which
thousands upon thousands of salmon, making itterminates at Cook’s Inlet. Before the inlet,
relatively easy for many fishermen, especiallythe river can get very busy. Its banks are fairly
those working with licensed guides, to catch theircrowded with businesses and homes. Along with
limit. Additionally, the river is home for world-classbeing congested, the river also has some
rainbow trout, which are the envy of anglerssandbars and large rocks, making it tough to
everywhere.navigate.
The Kenai is divided into three sections. The upperThe second King run, in June and July, is the most
part is 30-miles long, flowing from Kenai Lakepopular with anglers looking to land the next world
located on Cooper Landing and going to Skilakrecord salmon. The lower river has easy access
Lake. Rafters, drift boaters and other recreationaland many of the approximately 400 registered
and sport enthusiasts have easy access to theguides can be found in this section.