
Explore the world-famous Kenai River aboard “King of the River”! This Alaskan hotspot is a haven for Salmon and you’ll hook everything from Chinook to Sockeye and Coho. Head out with Captain Dean Schlehofer, he hooked over 1,000 Salmon in 2021 alone and has been guiding in these waters for over 3 decades.
Capt. Dean has 2 20’ Willie powerboats. Each one can fit up to 4 anglers who can all fish at the same time. These spacious beauties have enough sitting and standing room to ensure you won’t bump elbows while reeling in your fish. GPS and Fish Finder keep you top of your targets and the live wells keeps your bait fresh to entice the bite.
The Kenai River is home to Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), Sockeye (Red), and Pink Salmon which return every year in record numbers. Locals and visitors alike flock here to hook King Salmon weighing between 30 and 70 lbs on average! Alaska Red Salmon makes its charge up the River from mid-June to mid-August giving you the opportunity to hook fish weighing up to 12 pounds!
Capt. Dean provides top-notch G Loomis and Tekota rods and reels. He can even bring along fly fishing gear if you’re going after Red Salmon, just let him know ahead of time. He has deckhand on board with him on all trips to help out with everything fish related. If you’re happy with the service, tips between 10% and 20% are appreciated.
At the end of the trip, your catch is cleaned and filleted. Capt. Dean can also set up special perishable packaging of your catch through FedEx for an additional $25. It’s then mailed to your home address or packaged safely for your flight.
Be sure to bring along any drinks and snacks you’d like to enjoy throughout the trip. Most importantly remember to pick-up a valid Alaska fishing license beforehand. Get your fish on in the productive Kenai River with King of the River!
Please note there is a sales tax, about 6%, that is not included in the trip prices.
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (108)

Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
85%
Appropriate for children
84%
Friendly captain
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
93%
Caught fish
85%
Aug 17, 2025
Half Day Trip (PM)
I had an amazing time on my half-day fishing trip on the Kenai River with Captain Dean, the owner of King of the River. Dean is a fantastic guide—patient, knowledgeable, and a great teacher. He took the time to explain techniques, share his expertise, and make sure the whole experience was enjoyable from start to finish. Even beyond the fishing, the trip was unforgettable. Cruising the Kenai River, I got to see eagles, seals, and incredible scenery that made the day even more special. Dean’s passion for what he does and his easygoing, gracious personality made the whole trip worth every minute. I can’t recommend King of the River enough. This was my first Alaskan fishing trip, and thanks to Dean and his deckhand, I left with great memories and knowledge I’ll carry forward. I’d book with them again in a heartbeat!
I had an amazing time on my half-day fishing trip on the Kenai River with Captain Dean, the owner of King of the River. Dean is...
Jul 31, 2025
Full Day Trip
From start to finish this trip was everything you could dream of! Our guide Bobby was exactly what you want in a guide! We limited out in just a few hours! Came home with about 125lb of salmon filets! Don’t hesitate to book with king if the river! Amazing service with an amazing experience!
From start to finish this trip was everything you could dream of! Our guide Bobby was exactly what you want in a guide! We limited...
Jul 20, 2025
Half Day Trip (AM)
Could not have asked for a better trip for my son and grandsons’ first sockeye trip. Caught 30 big reds on a couple of hours. My 3rd or 4th trip over the years with King of the River. These guys are the best. Captain Chris was patient, knowledgeable, helpful and funny!!! Great time highest recommendation!!
Could not have asked for a better trip for my son and grandsons’ first sockeye trip. Caught 30 big reds on a couple of hours....
Aug 22, 2025
Half Day Trip (AM)
Chris was a great guy and you can tell he loves Fishing. Aside from meeting him at 3:30 in the a.m. and it being pretty cold, Fishing was a good experience. When the tide started moving We hit our limit on cohos pretty quick and Chris helped with everything.
Chris was a great guy and you can tell he loves Fishing. Aside from meeting him at 3:30 in the a.m. and it being pretty cold,...
Jul 10, 2025
Half Day Trip (AM)
King of the River didn’t disappoint on the 2025 Sockeye salmon run. The guide we had on the fish trip coached and trained our family to able to limits out in 1 hour. Great job to Chris on showing the Indiana family on how to harvest Salmons in Alaska.
King of the River didn’t disappoint on the 2025 Sockeye salmon run. The guide we had on the fish trip coached and trained our...
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Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (108)

Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
85%
Appropriate for children
84%
Friendly captain
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
93%
Caught fish
85%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 17, 2025
I had an amazing time on my half-day fishing trip on the Kenai River with Captain Dean, the owner of King of the River. Dean is a fantastic guide—patient, knowledgeable, and a great teacher. He took the time to explain techniques, share his expertise, and make sure the whole experience was enjoyable from start to finish. Even beyond the fishing, the trip was unforgettable. Cruising the Kenai River, I got to see eagles, seals, and incredible scenery that made the day even more special. Dean’s passion for what he does and his easygoing, gracious personality made the whole trip worth every minute. I can’t recommend King of the River enough. This was my first Alaskan fishing trip, and thanks to Dean and his deckhand, I left with great memories and knowledge I’ll carry forward. I’d book with them again in a heartbeat!
I had an amazing time on my half-day fishing trip on the Kenai River with Captain Dean, the owner of King of the River. Dean is a fantastic guide—patient, knowledgeable, and a great teacher. He took the time to explain techniques, share his expertise, and make sure the whole experience was enjoyable from start to finish. Even beyond the fishing, the trip was unforgettable. Cruising the Kenai River, I got to see eagles, seals, and incredible scenery that made the day even more special. Dean’s...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day Trip on July 31, 2025
From start to finish this trip was everything you could dream of! Our guide Bobby was exactly what you want in a guide! We limited out in just a few hours! Came home with about 125lb of salmon filets! Don’t hesitate to book with king if the river! Amazing service with an amazing experience!
From start to finish this trip was everything you could dream of! Our guide Bobby was exactly what you want in a guide! We limited out in just a few hours! Came home with about 125lb of salmon filets! Don’t hesitate to book with king if the river! Amazing service with an amazing experience!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half Day Trip (AM) on July 20, 2025
Could not have asked for a better trip for my son and grandsons’ first sockeye trip. Caught 30 big reds on a couple of hours. My 3rd or 4th trip over the years with King of the River. These guys are the best. Captain Chris was patient, knowledgeable, helpful and funny!!! Great time highest recommendation!!
Could not have asked for a better trip for my son and grandsons’ first sockeye trip. Caught 30 big reds on a couple of hours. My 3rd or 4th trip over the years with King of the River. These guys are the best. Captain Chris was patient, knowledgeable, helpful and funny!!! Great time highest recommendation!!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half Day Trip (AM) on August 22, 2025
Chris was a great guy and you can tell he loves Fishing. Aside from meeting him at 3:30 in the a.m. and it being pretty cold, Fishing was a good experience. When the tide started moving We hit our limit on cohos pretty quick and Chris helped with everything.
Chris was a great guy and you can tell he loves Fishing. Aside from meeting him at 3:30 in the a.m. and it being pretty cold, Fishing was a good experience. When the tide started moving We hit our limit on cohos pretty quick and Chris helped with everything.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half Day Trip (AM) on July 10, 2025
King of the River didn’t disappoint on the 2025 Sockeye salmon run. The guide we had on the fish trip coached and trained our family to able to limits out in 1 hour. Great job to Chris on showing the Indiana family on how to harvest Salmons in Alaska.
King of the River didn’t disappoint on the 2025 Sockeye salmon run. The guide we had on the fish trip coached and trained our family to able to limits out in 1 hour. Great job to Chris on showing the Indiana family on how to harvest Salmons in Alaska.
