Kenai River Fishing ~ It is difficult to talk about fishing in Alaska without considering the world famous Kenai River. This biologically diverse river ultimately begins its life at the outflow of Kenai lake. Water from the surrounding Kenai Fjord glaciers and other pristine mountain streams collect here in a large natural basin. Leaving the lake the river takes shape as a massive and swift emerald green salmon super highway that is tailor made for rafting and fishing activities. Flowing through both deep rocky canyons and lowland black spruce covered valleys the river eventually empties into Cook Inlet near the town of Kenai.

As far as Alaska fishing goes, the Kenai has been fished by more anglers world-wide than any other Alaskan river. Easy access via the Sterling Highway from Anchorage make this a popular and often talked about Alaska fishing destination. Besides being the most talked about river in Alaska, it is also the most famous Alaskan river for having produced the world’s largest sport caught Chinook (king) salmon. The current world record salmon, 97 pounds 8 ounces, caught by Les Anderson on May 17, 1985 is on display at the Soldotna Visitors Center in Soldtona Alaska.

The Kenai is known not only for king salmon, but also abundant sockeye (red) salmon, coho (silver) salmon, pink salmon and an unbelievable trophy rainbow trout and dolly varden fishery. Over 10 million salmon make their return home each year to the Kenai. It may be possible for some Alaskan rivers to equal the shear numbers of fish this South Central wonder receives but there is simply no other place in the world quite like the Kenai River.