Kenai River Trout Anglers 

4.8/5 (91 reviews)
 Po Box 818, Cooper Landing, AK 99572, United States
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Experience a once-in-a-lifetime fishing adventure in Alaska with “Kenai River Trout Anglers”! You’ll head out of the beautiful town of Cooper Landing with Captain JJ Brown. He’s been guiding here for 2 decades and is one of a few captains licensed to guide in the exclusive Upper Kenai River National Wildlife Refuge!

Hop aboard his 20’ Willie drift boat, ideal for up to 4 anglers. She’s perfectly suited for these waters, and before you know it, you’ll become immersed in the nature that surrounds you. It’s not only fish you’ll see, but there are also plenty of bears, moose and mighty birds of prey to take in.

Depending on the time of year and your targets, Capt. JJ takes you into the Upper River, Middle River, or Lower River, and even the stunning Canyon – weather permitting. These waters play host to the annual migration of stunning Sockeye and Silver Salmon, Steelhead, and Dolly Varden!

Whether you’re a fly fishing fanatic or prefer traditional spinning methods, Capt. JJ has the equipment you need for a successful day on board. At the end of the trip, he’s happy to clean and fillet any catch you’d like to take home for dinner.

Feel free to bring along any drinks and snacks you’d like to have and, most importantly, don’t forget to pick up a fishing license before heading out. Please know that there is Sales tax for Kenai Peninsula of 3%.
Take advantage of the Kenai River’s limited fishing season and experience Alaska’s wild beauty with Kenai River Trout Anglers!

Kenai River Trout Anglers

Charter Operator

Kenai River Trout Anglers

25 years of experience
 responds within an hour

Most popular features:

 Pickup Included
 You Keep Catch
 Catch cleaning & filleting
 Child Friendly
 Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Half Day Trip

 In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago

FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip Jun 11 - Oct 20
US $400 
Shared tour: for 2 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip Jun 11 - Oct 20
US $600 
Shared tour: for 2 people
There are 4 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.8/5
out of 5 stars from 91 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (69)

Best time ever!
Fishing the Kenai upper river
Awesome day fishing the Kenai River
+66

Angler rating

79
4
1
0
1

Anglers claimed

Good experience

95%

Appropriate for children

82%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

90%

Caught fish

96%

Showing 1 - 5 of 91 reviews
Richard E.
Richard E.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day fishing an awesome river!

VERIFIED
NEW

Full Day Trip on July 9, 2025

First, I want to thank Kenai River Trout Anglers for providing Shared float trips! When I'm a lone angler, the only affordable guided trips for me are shared. So it's either a shared trip, or no trip. I appreciate shared trips! This was a full day trip fishing the upper 14 miles of the Kenai River I shared with a father and his 12 year old son. Everything went very smoothly, from beginning to end. The boat and fishing equipment were really good and well maintained. Our guide (Brandon, as I remember) was very well prepared and attentive to our needs and wishes. He provided helpful instructions and suggestions as needed without being intrusive or controlling. The Kenai is a big, fast, cold river, so everyone was required to wear a pfd, which was fine. Brandon handled and positioned the boat expertly to get us to good fishing spots (despite ~30 mph winds!). When catching slowed, he changed tactics to try to do better. Brandon went out of his way to try to make sure everyone had a good chance at catching good fish, and everyone did catch fish! Final note: After the trip, that evening, I realized that I'd left my ball cap in the boat. I called JJ, and he went and found my cap and happily arranged for me to pick it up!

First, I want to thank Kenai River Trout Anglers for providing Shared float trips! When I'm a lone angler, the only affordable guided trips for me are shared. So it's either a shared trip, or no trip. I appreciate shared trips! This was a full day trip fishing the upper 14 miles of the Kenai River I shared with a father and his 12 year old son. Everything went very smoothly, from beginning to end. The boat and fishing equipment were really good and well maintained. Our guide (Brandon, as I remember)...  

 Richard E. recommends Kenai River Trout Anglers

Tom F.
Tom F.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Best time ever!

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip on July 12, 2025

Matt was patient, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. He knew where all of the great fishing holes were. I caught a 8 pound sockeye salmon and had a couple of trout that got off. If you want a great time with a high probability of catching a fish, go with these guys.

Matt was patient, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. He knew where all of the great fishing holes were. I caught a 8 pound sockeye salmon and had a couple of trout that got off. If you want a great time with a high probability of catching a fish, go with these guys.  

Review media 0
 Tom F. recommends Kenai River Trout Anglers

Branson W.
Branson W.
4.7/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day with a great guide

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip on July 10, 2025

We had a blast fishing with our guide, Owen. He was knowledgeable, reallygreat with the kids, and knew the waters well. He put us on fish at a tough time of year, but more than that, he helped make our Alaska vacation a great experience. We caught a few nice rainbows and a big dolly varden. We even saw mountain goats. We're already planning our next trip.

We had a blast fishing with our guide, Owen. He was knowledgeable, reallygreat with the kids, and knew the waters well. He put us on fish at a tough time of year, but more than that, he helped make our Alaska vacation a great experience. We caught a few nice rainbows and a big dolly varden. We even saw mountain goats. We're already planning our next trip.  

 Branson W. recommends Kenai River Trout Anglers

Michael S.
Michael S.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fishing the Kenai upper river

VERIFIED
NEW

Full Day Trip on June 26, 2025

We had a great day. Our guide Matt was a great guy and put us on the fish, even with the river flowing swiftly. He definitely knows the river. We all caught multiple trout and some really nice ones. I believe anyone looking to book a trip wouldn’t be disappointed.

We had a great day. Our guide Matt was a great guy and put us on the fish, even with the river flowing swiftly. He definitely knows the river. We all caught multiple trout and some really nice ones. I believe anyone looking to book a trip wouldn’t be disappointed.  

Review media 0
 Michael S. recommends Kenai River Trout Anglers
Kenai River Trout Anglers
Kenai River Trout Anglers (The Charter Operator)
Replied on June 30, 2025
Thanks again for fishing with us and Matt for the day. We appreciate great customers like you!

David K.
David K.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Perfect June Day on the Kenai

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip on June 14, 2025

Really enjoyed our float with Owen on the Kenai. He dialed up an ideal blue sky day. The river was pristine. And the fish were gracious enough to pick up our lures. We caught ~15 rainbows, a few over 20", and one dolly vardon. Would've liked a sockeye, but book the end of June if that's what you have your heart set on. Overall, a great way to experience trout fishing on an Alaskan river with everything planned for you!

Really enjoyed our float with Owen on the Kenai. He dialed up an ideal blue sky day. The river was pristine. And the fish were gracious enough to pick up our lures. We caught ~15 rainbows, a few over 20", and one dolly vardon. Would've liked a sockeye, but book the end of June if that's what you have your heart set on. Overall, a great way to experience trout fishing on an Alaskan river with everything planned for you!  

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 David K. recommends Kenai River Trout Anglers
Kenai River Trout Anglers
Kenai River Trout Anglers (The Charter Operator)
Replied on June 17, 2025
Thanks so much for fishing with us and leaving a great review of your day with Owen!

...

FAQs about Kenai River Trout Anglers

What are the trip rates for Kenai River Trout Anglers?

Kenai River Trout Anglers offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $200 per person - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $300 per person - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
What's included in the trip price with Kenai River Trout Anglers?

Trips booked with Kenai River Trout Anglers include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fly Fishing Equipment
What types of fishing does Kenai River Trout Anglers offer?

Kenai River Trout Anglers offers the following type of fishing:

  • River Fishing (Kenai River)
What fishing techniques does Kenai River Trout Anglers offer?

Kenai River Trout Anglers offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Kenai River Trout Anglers?

Top targeted fish species with Kenai River Trout Anglers include:

  • Dolly Varden
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Salmon (Sockeye)

Your operator

Kenai River Trout Anglers

Cooper Landing, Alaska, United States

1 Fishing Report
91 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2017

I have been a Kenai river guide for 25 seasons and am one of the few outfitters to work under a permit to fish the Upper Kenai River National Wildlife Refuge. our guides are highly trained and regarded as thr best guides on thr upper Kenai River. Top rated on Trip Advisor, my past clients' testimonies speak to the quality and professionalism that my company prides itself in. Come fish with the best!

The fish you can target

Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
20 ft
Year built
2003
Boat manufacturer
Willie
Boat type
Aluminum fishing

Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 10HP

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing

Kenai River

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle

Spinning

Fly Fishing

Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle

Lures

Catch cleaning & filleting

Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup included in price

Transfer from hotels or jetties in Cooper Landing to departure site is available and included in trip rates.

Child Friendly

You Keep Catch

Catch and Release Allowed

Disabled Accessible

How you can pay

Book with 30% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Visa

 Mastercard

 American Express

 PayPal

 Checks

What’s biting in Cooper Landing right now

Dolly VardenDolly Varden
Salmon (Coho)Salmon (Coho)
Salmon (Sockeye)Salmon (Sockeye)
4 people are looking at this charter.