What to know about staying at Kenai River Cabins...
The Kenai River is world famous for its abundant king, sockeye, pink and silver salmon. The world record king salmon was caught just a few miles down river from our prime fishing area. Great rainbow trout and dolly varden fishing can be had in the Kenai River as well.If you would like know more about spawing salmon, here is an interesting video
At Kenai River Cabins, you will be fishing for Sockeye (Reds) and Coho (Silvers) salmon mostly. Every "even" year, Humpback (Pink) Salmon will come through too. Typically the Sockeye Salmon run starts mid July and ends mid August. Silver Salmon typically start mid August to mid September. Pinks are delicious too but their meat is not as firm. Pink Salmon typically run mid July to mid September. We do have trout so if interested you can fish for them also, they are all year but check fishing regulations. We catch some beautiful Rainbows each year. Frequently we do get a few trout just flossing for salmon too as they bite on the "fake egg" or bead we put on the line. All of these fish are edible and delicious. Google flossing for sockeye salmon or watch this video how to setup a line. We typically use 30lb test line w/ a 3/4 oz weight with swivials w/ an octupus hook and a colored bead and a 3 to 5 foot leader.
Things to consider:
- Beads, strings, or yarn are needed and is law.
- While there are some cleaning knifes in some of the cabins, we can not gurantee they will always be present so you might want to purchase or bring your favorite.
- We do provide nets and they are located at the river bank. Please put them in the holders when not in use.
- We do have a fishing dock, but waders are a good option to fish "in the river". We do not provide waders but we do have some "left over" waders for public use in the brown "wader bin" located on site. Again, waders can be purchased at multiple locatios around the area.
A great option is to go to the Soldotna Hardware Store as soon as you get settled in your cabin then head to town (just 3 miles away) to get fishing supplies. They will provide you with tackle and a license if you didn't order online and show you how to setup. Some of our guests just go there daily as there is always something to look at and consider. We like to go there and learn new things every year. Soldotna hardware and Fishing. Best way to get fishing license in advance is to buy online. Be sure to print it put it in a waterproof bag and download a copy too for your phone. Fish & Game are tough in Alaska.
What time of day is the best to fish? The fish runs are truly tide driven. High tide means in 24 hours, fishing should be good. Kenai River Cabins is located at mile marker 23 on the Kenai River. Fish typically move at 1 mile per hour.
Is there a near by packer/shipper of fish you recommend to get the fish home if we catch enough? Yes but we honestly have never used one as we have freezers on site. Just bag, freeze, and box them. We have a sealer on site so bring food saver bags to seal them in. People buy boxes at Walmart, Fred Meyer, Hardware Store, etc. to transport their fish. You will see them all over the place for sale. You DO NOT need a cooler just bag them and put them in the boxes, or a tote or a suitcase.
What's the current limit? Depends. Need to check regularly as it changes!!!! Phone # 907-465-2376
What's was the fish count yesterday? Check out Fish Count Data Search
