King Salmon Fishing

KING SALMON (CHINOOK) FISHING ON THE KENAI & KASILOF RIVERS!

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  The Kenai River is world renowned for its huge King Salmon, and for many visitors to the Peninsula a shot at the next world record King is what it's all about.  The current world record King was taken by Les Anderson in 1985 on the Kenai River. It weighed 97 pounds 4 ounces and was 58 1/2 inches long with a 37 1/2-inch girth.  You can see this huge King on display at the Soldotna Visitor's Center next to the Soldotna Bridge, just down the street from Wilderness Way.  Since this record was caught, only a handful of kings weighing more than 90 pounds have been landed, and a Kenai King must weigh at least 75 pounds to earn a state trophy certificate from Fish and Game.

 So why would you even think of fishing anywhere else?  Well, consider the following:

• On average, a boat fishing on the Kenai with 4 anglers will catch 2 Kings in one day of fishing.  That means in an entire day of fishing you have about a 50% chance of catching a King.
• The average King caught on the Kenai is around 40-50 lb, with only a few Kings over 80 lbs caught each year.
• During peak season there are literally hundreds of boats on the Kenai at any one time, making for a crowded, choppy, noisy river experience.
• The Kenai is closed to guided fishing on Sunday and Monday.

One great alternative is a guided trip down the Kasilof River, just a short drive from Soldotna.  This river is open to drift boat fishing only, so it is much quieter, with far fewer boats.  The Kasilof Kings are smaller, with an average size of 25-35 lbs, and an upper limit of about 55 lbs.  But the fishing is great, and on an average day each person on the boat is likely to hook into a least a couple of Kings. 

So the choice is yours!  For you die-hard trophy fish seekers, the Kenai offers your only real shot at a record-book fish, and if you are willing to put in the time, a big fish is certainly possible.  And some people really enjoy the bustling excitement of the Kenai River in full King fishing swing. For those of you looking for a more peaceful trip with more "fish on!" action, the Kasilof offers a great alternative.

 Wilderness Way can help you set up either trip!  We have many contacts with local guides and can book a fishing trip for you at no additional charge to you!  We work only with the best guides who will work hard to give you the best shot at some great fishing.

Looking for a more family-oriented fishing trip?  Many of our guide associates specialize in a more relaxed schedule and a family-friendly environment free of smoking, alcohol or harsh language.  Let us know what kind of fishing trip you want to set up and we can find the right guide for you!

For booking information, contact Brian at:  1-907-262-3880 any time during regular business hours, or e-mail us at info@wildernessway.com