FISHING SPOTS ON THE KENAI RIVER
wADING ACCESS & FISHING SPOTS ON THE KENAI RIVER
Though finding trout fishing spots and salmon fishing spots to wade fish the Kenai River can be difficult at times, we want to help give you some easy access points along the banks where you can hike in and fish the way you want to.
Whether you’re fishing the Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Sterling, Soldotna or Kenai, we hope you can find some productive water to access and hike in to fish for trout or salmon. Most likely, if you’ve found a good fishing spot, it will be a spot for trout as well as salmon.
Depending on the flows of the Kenai River, some fishing spots might be downright impossible to access, so please use extra caution when attempting to wade and fish a new area. Also, be sure to obey all posted signs and private property trespassing laws.
KENAI RIVER FISHIGNG SPOTS IN COOPER LANDING, ALASKA
Cooper Landing is known as having some of the best wading access on the entire Kenai River. The Upper Kenai River from the Cooper Landing Viewpoint and Boat Launch to Jim’s Landing is generally narrower and shallower than the Middle and Lower Kenai River. Hike in access points are generally well-marked and there is ample parking.
From June 11th until the first week or so of July, the Upper Kenai River From Sportsman’s Landing through the Kenai Canyon and Russian River can be full of migrating Sockeye (Red) Salmon making for a fun day-long hike-in fishing opportunity.
Sockeye Salmon this time of year, are all headed towards the Russian River on their annual spawning migration run. Fish tend to concentrate at the confluence of the Russian River and Kenai River near Sportsman’s Landing (on river left).
Eager anglers also concentrate in this area known as the “combat fishing zone.” Finding a spot to fish for Sockeye Salmon this time of year demands an early alarm clock, some patience and a little communication with fellow anglers.
Fly anglers looking to fish the Russian River for Rainbow Trout may have a bit of difficulty wading this time of year due to the inundation of Sockeye Salmon anglers. Choosing slower a slower time of the day and week days will go a long way towards Trout anglers finding some open water to target.
KENAI RIVER FISHING SPOTS NEAR STERLING, ALASKA
Wading access and hike in access on the Kenai River near Sterling, Alaska can be quite limited; however, depending on the type of fishing you would like to do, there are some access points of note. Keep in mind that many of the accessible portions of the Kenai River in Sterling are near or on private property, so be sure to obey all trespassing laws.
If you are looking for opportunities to hike in and fish for Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden on foot on the Middle Kenai River, the biggest limiting factor is the lack of wading opportunities you’ll find here. The Middle Kenai River tends to run deeper and faster than the Upper Kenai River in Cooper Landing. This makes wading for trout very difficult. The best times to try to access the Middle Kenai for trout fishing is during early Spring (May), Late Fall (October/November) and during the winter months.
Sockeye Salmon and Silver Salmon anglers will have a much easier time accessing the Middle Kenai River for fishing opportunities. Though these areas tend to be crowded, odds are pretty good you’ll have an opportunity to catch salmon during the appropriate season.
PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS: Lower Skilak Lake Boat Launch (walking access to the Kenai River in the winter time), Bing’s Landing & Izaak Walton State Park.
