King of the River – Powerboat 

4.8/5 (184 reviews)
 345 Dolchok Lane, Kenai, AK 99611, United States

King of the River – Powerboat 

4.8/5 (184)
 Angler's Choice
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345 Dolchok Lane
Kenai, AK, United States

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.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 184 reviews
Boat
4.8/5
Crew
4.8/5
Experience
4.7/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (108)

Great time
Great guide and experience
Great new experience fishing for sockeye.
+105

Angler rating

159
16
5
2
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

85%

Appropriate for children

84%

Friendly captain

98%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

93%

Caught fish

85%

Showing 1 - 5 of 184 reviews
Showing: 5 of 184 reviews
Cameron D.
Cameron D.
5.0/5

Aug 17, 2025

Half Day Trip (PM)

Unforgettable 1st Alaskan Fishing Trip with Captain Dean

VERIFIED

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...  

 Cameron D. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
 Cameron D. recommends King of the River – Powerboat

John P.
John P.
5.0/5

Jul 31, 2025

Full Day Trip

What a trip!

VERIFIED

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...  

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 John P. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful
 John P. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

Tim T.
Tim T.
5.0/5

Jul 20, 2025

Half Day Trip (AM)

Chris is the man!!!

VERIFIED

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....  

 Tim T. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful
 Tim T. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

Jake S.
Jake S.
5.0/5

Aug 22, 2025

Half Day Trip (AM)

Great guide and experience

VERIFIED

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,...  

Review media 0
 Jake S. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
 Jake S. recommends King of the River – Powerboat

Eric H.
Eric H.
5.0/5

Jul 10, 2025

Half Day Trip (AM)

Shockeye salmon run

VERIFIED

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...  

Review media 0
 Eric H. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful
 Eric H. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Almost there...
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip May 16 - Sep 30
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US $450 
Shared tour: for 2 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
Seasonal trip May 16 - Sep 30
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US $450 
Shared tour: for 2 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
9 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip May 16 - Sep 30
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US $600 
Shared tour: for 2 people

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 184 reviews
Boat
4.8/5
Crew
4.8/5
Experience
4.7/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (108)

Great time
Great guide and experience
Great new experience fishing for sockeye.
+105

Angler rating

159
16
5
2
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

85%

Appropriate for children

84%

Friendly captain

98%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

93%

Caught fish

85%

Showing 1 - 5 of 184 reviews
Showing: 5 of 184 reviews
Cameron D.
Cameron D.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Unforgettable 1st Alaskan Fishing Trip with Captain Dean

VERIFIED

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...  

 Cameron D. recommends King of the River – Powerboat

John P.
John P.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

What a trip!

VERIFIED

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!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Review media 4
 John P. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

Tim T.
Tim T.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Chris is the man!!!

VERIFIED

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!!  

 Tim T. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

Jake S.
Jake S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great guide and experience

VERIFIED

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.  

Review media 0
 Jake S. recommends King of the River – Powerboat

Eric H.
Eric H.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Shockeye salmon run

VERIFIED

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.  

Review media 0
 Eric H. recommends King of the River – Powerboat
1 person finds this review helpful

FAQs about King of the River – Powerboat

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
16 persons
Boat length
21 ft
Year built
2021
Boat manufacturer
Willie
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
2 x 50HP
Max cruising speed
25 knots
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