Kenai Fishing Charters

34 Fishing Charters

Kenai Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in Kenai
Kenai: 34 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(49 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $900
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(27 reviews)
Kenai
trips from $150
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(13 reviews)
Kenai
trips from $250
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(65 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $200
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(143 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $225
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(27 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(5 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Soldotna
 Instant Confirmation
Kasilof
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $224
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(3 reviews)
Soldotna
trips from $215

Frequently Asked Questions about Fishing Charters in Kenai

According to customer reviews, some of the most popular fishing charters in Kenai, Alaska are: Full list of top fishing charters in Kenai

The average price for a private 4 hour Kenai fishing trip is $508, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $1,017 based on prices on FishingBooker.com.

Fishing charters in Kenai that received great reviews from families are:

The top 3 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in Kenai are:

The top 3 fishing techniques in Kenai are:

The top 3 types of fishing in Kenai are:

Many fishing charters in Kenai provide rods, reels and tackle. Some of the top rated are:

According to customer reviews on FishingBooker.com, some of the best rated charter captains in Kenai are:

Who are the top awarded captains in Kenai?

Some of the fishing trips offered by fishing charters in Kenai are:
  • 4-hour fishing trips โ€“ $215
  • 5-hour fishing trips โ€“ $310
  • 8-hour fishing trips โ€“ $568
  • 9-hour fishing trips โ€“ $270

Straddling the mouth of the famous Kenai River and looking out into the deep waters of Cook Inlet, Kenai is a paradise for freshwater and saltwater anglers alike. Kenai fishing charters head out into the inlet and beyond, targeting Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish, and ocean-going King Salmon. Cast your eyes inland, and you’ll find scores of Kenai fishing guides heading upriver in search of the awesome Salmon and Steelhead runs that crowd these waters every summer. Kenai has everything you could hope for from a remote fishing getaway.
 
And it’s not even that remote. The busy streets of downtown Anchorage are just a few hours away by car. This means you can hop down for a weekend of awesome angling and be back in the city before your fish even defrosts! You’d be a fool to write the town off as no more than a launching point, though. Kenai’s lush forests and beautiful coastline are enough to keep your eyes busy for weeks, especially with whales, seals, and porpoises to focus on.
 
A remote wonderland just three hours from Anchorage, with incredible fishing to boot? Sounds too good to be true! The town does get pretty busy in Salmon season so you’ll need to book well in advance, but once you’ve done that you’re in for a very special fishing experience.

Types of Fishing

There’s a lot of ground (and water) to cover on Kenai fishing trips. There are so many great fishing spots around that it’s impossible to pick just one place to fish. Instead, here are a few trips you have to try while you’re in town:
 

River Fishing

This is the reason 90% of you will come to Kenai. Fishing Kenai River ranks high on bucket lists of anglers across the globe. The current world record King Salmon was caught in these waters - a monster weighing in at a staggering 97.4 pounds. It’s not just Chinook in these waters, either. Cohos, Sockeyes, Pinks, and Chums all pack into the rivers cold, clear waters.
 
And that’s just the Salmon! You’ve also got Steelhead, Grayling, Dolly Varden, and Arctic Char swimming about with them. All in all, this is one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in the whole of Alaska. No wonder people book years in advance in some of the area’s top lodges.
 

King Salmon Charters

Just when you thought the area couldn’t get any more Salmony, you realise that the sea is also full of them. Chinook Salmon can be caught year-round in Kenai, fishing along the edge of the coastline in search of big Kings lurking below. You may not get the same variety of Salmon species that you do in the river, but you can theoretically catch them 365 days a year here.
 

Halibut Charters

Just because the Kenai River draws all the crowds, doesn’t mean it’s the only place to fish. On the contrary, the deep, blue waters of Cook Inlet are a great place to fish for Halibut. They may not yield fish as big as they get down in Homer, but Kenai Halibut fishing charters are still well worth a try.
 

Combo Trips

If you’re set on heading home with the most fish possible and don’t mind traveling to find it, Kenai combo trips could be for you. These trips will bag you Halibut and Salmon, and could even go after Lingcod or Rockfish, too. There are different options to suit every palate, but you rarely have time to target more than three species.

Fishing Techniques

Kenai river is heaven on earth for fly fishers for obvious reasons, but spin anglers can have a whale of a time fighting Salmon, too. Spin-N-Glo rigs with Salmon roe attached are hands down the best way to attract big Salmon in freshwater - they stop feeding on their way up to the spawning grounds, so normal baits are summarily ignored. 
 
When talking Salmon in saltwater, the best ways to catch them are trolling and mooching. Use plug-cut or whole, live Herring and troll as you troll or drift over the fish. You don’t have to use bait, though. Big, colorful spoons work just as well when trolling, and can be way more fun when the fish are in the mood for a fight.
 
Halibut are bottom-dwellers which hunt as much by scent as by sight. Chum the bottom to draw them in, then drop strong-smelling baits like Salmon belly or Herring strips. You can also use jigs once the bottom is baited or chummed. Top tip - fish your lines a turn or two off the bottom. Halibut come up a couple of feet as they hunt, so you’ll be targeting active hunters if you bring your baits up a bit.

Need to Know

Fishing licenses are rarely included on Kenai fishing charters. You’ll need one for both salt and freshwater, with an extra King Salmon stamp if you want to target these awesome predators. And let’s be honest, you’d have to be crazy to come to Kenai without targeting Chinook.
Kenai
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 27938 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

January

You won’t find much action at sea in January, but the ice on the lakes makes for all kinds of fun. Enjoy the Tustumena 200 Dog Sled Race or just go ice fishing for Salmon and Steelhead.

February

People really know how to turn the cold to their advantage here. Take the Frozen RiverFest in Soldotna. Locals laugh in Frosty Jack's face, with bonfires, bands, food, and drinks. It’s well worth checking out.

March
Charter season is still a long way away, but hardy anglers can enjoy shore fishing for hardy local species like Pollack, Flounder, and even Halibut from some points along the Kenai Peninsula.
April
The Dolly Varden spring run kicks off the Kenai River fishing season in April, with great catches of these anadromous predators. You start to get Steelhead towards the end of the month, too.
May
The spring run kicks off in earnest in May, with Dolly Varden, Steelhead, Grayling, and Chum Salmon. Chinook are also in full swing by this point, making it one of the best times to visit. Book early!
June
June is the best time to target freshwater King Salmon. They’re not alone, either. Chum Salmon are at their peak, and the first few Sockeye show up, too. All in all, a great month for food fishing.
July

The fishing is great everywhere in July. The river guides are getting most of the attention, but don’t forget to check out the boat charters, too. Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, and Saltwater Salmon are all on fire!

August

August is your chance to bag 5 species of Salmon in one day and score and IGFA Salmon Fantasy Slam. It’s also the season for the Kenai River Classic, one of the best freshwater fishing events around.

September

The Kenai River Women’s Classic invites fisherwomen from across the country to battle huge Salmon in the name of conservation each September. Sounds like a win-win to us.

October

October’s your last chance to find a charter before the boats call it quits for winter. Head out in search of monster Halibut, delicious Lingcod, deep-dwelling Rockfish, and much more.

November
The rivers are still active in November, with fall run Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, and Grayling. Things get pretty cold towards the end of the month, though, so waterproofs and layers are a must!
December

Christmas Comes to Kenai in December, literally. This event brings seasonal cheer to the darkest night of the year, with parades, music, lights, and much more. It’s not far for Santa to visit, we guess.

Kenai fishing calendar

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First time salmon fishing and first time salmon fishing on the river. The fishing is sitting right off the bank anchored down while you lure is diving close to the bottom from the current. Just a lot of sitting waiting for a bite.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
First time salmon fishing and first time salmon fishing on the river. The fishing is sitting right off the bank anchored down while you lure is diving close to the bottom from the current. Just a lot of sitting waiting for a bite.
Christopher  M.
Christopher M. Anchorage, Alaska
Being rain grear and waterproof boots, Donโ€™t expect a guarantee to catch salmon.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Being rain grear and waterproof boots, Donโ€™t expect a guarantee to catch salmon.
Marie  P.
Marie P. Dalton Gardens, ID
check the dates; mid to late july for reds, mid august for silvers. We went in between and it really didn't work out.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
check the dates; mid to late july for reds, mid august for silvers. We went in between and it really didn't work out.
John  C.
John C. Atascadero, CA
July is on and off just like a lot of people talk about. But if you take your crew there and keep lines in the water there's a good chance you'll have Salmon for dinner
Excellent
5.0 / 5
July is on and off just like a lot of people talk about. But if you take your crew there and keep lines in the water there's a good chance you'll have Salmon for dinner
Christopher  B.
Christopher B. Frisco, CO
If you're after Salmon, pay very close attention to the timing of the Runs and what is happening with the Dip Netting. In hindsight, we should have gone to the Kasilof or down to Seward as both had many more fish than the Kenai during the time we had available.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
If you're after Salmon, pay very close attention to the timing of the Runs and what is happening with the Dip Netting. In hindsight, we should have gone to the Kasilof or down to Seward as both had many more fish than the Kenai during the time we had available.
Jacob  K.
Jacob K. Stillwater, Minnesota
Bring a change of clothes, in case you fall down in the river the current is quite strong.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring a change of clothes, in case you fall down in the river the current is quite strong.
Paul  G.
Paul G. United States
Know the regulations, where to go and potential hazards of certain areas- using a guide or going with a local for the first time would be highly recommended
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know the regulations, where to go and potential hazards of certain areas- using a guide or going with a local for the first time would be highly recommended
Scott  S.
Scott S. Holiday Lakes, TX
Have a plan for your catch. Grocery stores have coolers you can transport fish home in, local processors can freeze and ship them, or you could catch and release. Ask your guides what the nearby options are and the price range for each.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Have a plan for your catch. Grocery stores have coolers you can transport fish home in, local processors can freeze and ship them, or you could catch and release. Ask your guides what the nearby options are and the price range for each.
Matt  S.
Matt S. Austin, TX
If you really want to catch fish. You need at least a few days. with 1 day ,do not complain about no fish result (target is King salmon.)
Excellent
4.7 / 5
If you really want to catch fish. You need at least a few days. with 1 day ,do not complain about no fish result (target is King salmon.)
Yoshi  S.
Yoshi S. Fort Payne, AL
Amazing experience. Better in many ways than the Kenai. Weather can be unpredictable. Bring gear!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Amazing experience. Better in many ways than the Kenai. Weather can be unpredictable. Bring gear!
Steven  M.  M.
Steven M. M. Philomath, Oregon
Dress warm, and exspect a scenic, beautiful float that you will not forget.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress warm, and exspect a scenic, beautiful float that you will not forget.
FishingBooker Member
FishingBooker Member United States
Find a good guide, do some research, a good guide will make a good trip or a bad trip, find your guide they can tell u how to plan your trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Find a good guide, do some research, a good guide will make a good trip or a bad trip, find your guide they can tell u how to plan your trip.
Brian  W.
Brian W. Park City, Utah

Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Managed to catch 2 Silvers (missed 2 - didn't get them in the boat!), nevertheless, we enjoyed our day on the beautiful Kenai River. Our last 30 minutes sitting in our spot we started in, a beautiful Eagle landed in the tree right next to us on the bank. What a great way to end the day as the sun was setting. Book Scout Lake Adventures for your next fishing trip!
Tonisha  E.
Tonisha E.
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Highly recommended. Very experienced guide knows what is doing will get you on the fish.
Sangkoo  P.
Sangkoo P. United States
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
We went on a honeymoon fishing trip with Captain Robert. We had such a fun time and caught limits for the both of us. Captain was knowledgeable about the fisheries, fun to chat with and even took us to look for Eagles after we finished fishing. He had all the good gear and had a heater to keep us warm, it was a chilly morning! It was an adventure we wont forget! We will definitely be back to fish with Captain Robert with our family. Thank you!
Kaitlin  D.
Kaitlin D. Kenai, AK
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Fishing was slow due to the flooding on the Kenai. We did however catch a few and Robert was very pleasant and personable. We would definitely fish with him again
Paul  G.
Paul G.
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Had a great time despite the cold, rain, and slow bite. We only caught four silvers total but itโ€™s been slow for everyone.
Christopher  M.
Christopher M. Anchorage, Alaska
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Captain Bob got our group of three out on a trip with short notice and in tough fishing conditions. He did a great job of getting us into fish and we were able to walk away with some fish for the freezer. It was enjoyable to spend several hours on the water with him. Would highly recommend a trip. I hope to be back.
Ryan  H.
Ryan H. Salt Lake City, UT
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(143 reviews)
Cole is a great Captain. Although my timing and the weather werenโ€™t ideal for the late Silver โ€œrunโ€, Cole set us up on fish early and communicated with other fishermen in the area to continue to land us fish. Cole was super easy to talk with as he gave us fishing tips and things to look for and do while we were visiting. I will definitely see him again on my next trip to Kenai.
Kenneth  R.
Kenneth R. Stanton, TX
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Capt Robert knows this river and can put you on the fish of your dreamsโ€ฆ. We had a challenging bite today and the captain worked hard to finish strong and not only put fish in the boat when other captains were struggling,but make the wives happy with a comfortable day on the big riverโ€ฆ thanks Captain, we will see you in 2024! Matt and Rick Bilodeau
Matt  B.
Matt B. Cambridge, VT
Alaska Slammin Salmon Charters
Alaska Slammin Salmon Charters
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(65 reviews)
Everything was amazing and nice, we got the best experience about fishing. Highly recommend it.
Mariana  T.
Mariana T. Westmont, IL
Secret Waters Guide Service
Secret Waters Guide Service
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
My mom and I had a very nice time on the river with Captain Kurtis and kept 2 silvers and one sockeye. We also caught a Jack (lil King) and a small Dally Varden. There can be quite a bit of waiting time for the tide to come up the river and carry the fish along with it.
Justin  S.
Justin S.
Secret Waters Guide Service
Secret Waters Guide Service
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Capt Kurtis was punctual, pleasant, and very helpful getting us lined out for fishing. Very pleasant, nice man. Boat was comfortable.
Dennis  E.
Dennis E. Lecoma, MO
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Great day out on the river. The silver trout are running and Captain Bob knew exactly where they were. Captain itโ€™s very knowledgeable and colorful host.
Edward  H.
Edward H. West End, NC
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Had a good day on the Kenai. Robert worked very hard to find fish. He is a great guy who ensured we were safe and secure.
Marie  P.
Marie P. Dalton Gardens, ID
Secret Waters Guide Service
Secret Waters Guide Service
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Kurtis put us on silver salmon in the first half hour after we boarded his boat. He's knowledgeable of the area and help us land fish. We limted out in about 4 hours.
Robert  G.
Robert G. Woodland, CA
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(143 reviews)
My kids had their first Kenai experience and really enjoyed the captain and fishing.
Robert  E.
Robert E. Carson City, NV
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
It was my very first time fishing, I also brought with me my husband and my daughter Captain Cushway was very knowledgeable and very pleasant to deal with. We highly recommend him.
Maria  H.
Maria H. Wasilla, Alaska
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(143 reviews)
Jason was a great (and patient) captain and tutor. Cognizant of physical limitations of some of our group he was able to choose spots that we could negotiate. Salmon were not cooperating so we didn't get close to our limit, but that was not Jason's fault. Had a great time and learned a lot.
John  C.
John C. Atascadero, CA
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
Capt. Cushman was at the dock and waiting for us when we arrived. He gave us an onshore briefing and handed out inflatable lifejackets to each of us. (Capt. Cushman was at the dock and waiting for us when we arrived. He gave us an onshore briefing and handed out inflatable lifejackets to each of us (which I really appreciated)! He put us on fish right away, and was very attentive while we were catching fish. Highly recommended!
Jeff  D.
Jeff D. Mechanicsville, VA
Scout Lake Adventures
Scout Lake Adventures
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(27 reviews)
I don't think I could say enough good things about Captain Robert and the fishing experience he provides. He put us on the fish immediately. My wife and I really appreciated the time he spent helping our sons learn the technique we were using to catch the salmon. Captain Robert even had my oldest son using a fly rod. I really think you would not regret booking a trip with him. It was definitely one of the best fishing trips we've ever done.
Matthew  H.
Matthew H. Victoria, TX
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
Fishing charter in Kenai
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(143 reviews)
Capt. was friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. Limited out on Sockeye with all first time Flossers on the boat while having a blast.
William  K.
William K. Chattahoochee, FL

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