Alaska King Salmon Fishing
Alaskan King Salmon (Chinook)
The Kenai Peninsula is home to several rivers where King Salmon (Chinook) return each year, making it one of the best places for salmon fishing in Alaska. The Kenai River has long been famous for producing the world-record King salmon—a massive 97.4 lbs caught on May 17, 1985. However, to protect this legendary fish population, King salmon fishing on the Kenai River is currently closed as fish and game officials work toward conservation and recovery efforts for future generations.
While this has been disappointing for many anglers, it’s a crucial step to ensure the survival of these incredible fish. Fortunately, there are still opportunities to catch and retain King salmon in select areas of the Kenai Peninsula, where a combination of wild fisheries and hatchery programs allow fishing. These hatchery-raised Kings may be smaller than their wild counterparts, but they offer an excellent chance for anglers to catch and enjoy fresh Alaska King salmon straight from the region’s pristine waters.
The Thrill of Alaska King Salmon Fishing
If you’re looking for an unforgettable fight, King salmon are among the hardest-fighting fish in the world. Their strength and endurance make for an incredible challenge and a fishing story you’ll be telling for years to come!
Effective Techniques for Catching King Salmon in Alaska
When targeting Alaska King salmon, we use two highly effective methods:
Back-Trolling – A method where we use the boat’s movement to slowly present bait or lures to salmon holding in deep river channels.
Back-Bouncing – A hands-on technique where anglers bounce their bait along the river bottom to entice strikes from aggressive Kings.
Both of these methods are easy to learn with a professional Alaska fishing guide and give you the best chance of hooking into one of these incredible fish.
King salmon have two different times they enter the Kenai River. The first run starts at the beginning of May and finishes at the end of June. The second run begins the first part of July and runs through the middle of August. The Alaskan Department of Fish & Game will close the season down for king salmon on the last day of July.
When you are Alaska King salmon fishing for massive Kings, keep one thing in mind: the fishing guide that you’re with deals with these fish everyday and knows what that fish is going to do before you do. It is always good to listen to everything that the guide has to tell you when he gives you instructions.
Don’t miss out on the chance to hook into one of the last breeds of this strain of King salmon found nowhere else in the world. Alaska King salmon fishing could be just the thrill and fishing adventures you were looking for!
