Fly Fishing, Halibut Charters, Lodges & More – Start Planning Your Alaska Adventure
If you’re dreaming of the best Kenai River fishing trip, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re chasing sockeye salmon, trophy rainbow trout, or exploring halibut fishing charters out of the Cook Inlet, we’ve built this guide to help you plan the perfect Alaska fishing experience.
From trip prices to local guides, lodges, and top-rated charters — we’ll cover everything you need to know for fishing success in 2025.
💰 Kenai River Fishing Trip Prices
Prices for Kenai River fishing trips vary depending on trip length, season, and group size. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Trip Type | Avg. Price (Per Person) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Half Day | $200–$250 | ~4 hours |
| 3/4 Day | $250–$275 | ~6 hours |
| Full Day | $275–$350 | 8+ hours |
| Private Boat | Varies by group size | Flexible |
All trips include rods, tackle, waders, fish cleaning, and a licensed guide.
🏆 Best Kenai River Fishing Trips
The best fishing trips on the Kenai River align with the peak salmon runs and your personal goals:
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🐟 Sockeye Salmon (June–Aug): High-volume action, great for first-timers
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🎣 Rainbow Trout (June–Oct): Catch-and-release trophy fish
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🧑🤝🧑 Family Trips: Half-day floats for fun & memories
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🛶 Drift Boat Trips (Kasilof): Classic, quiet Alaskan experience
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📸 Full Day Coho Adventures (Aug–Sept): Aggressive fighters & photo-worthy moments
Each trip can be tailored for group size, physical ability, and species interest.
👨✈️ Best Kenai River Fishing Guides
A great guide can make or break your trip. We recommend choosing:
✅ Born-and-raised Alaskans who know the rivers intimately
✅ USCG-licensed, CPR-trained professionals
✅ Patient, family-friendly teachers
✅ Guides who provide all gear and fish filleting
🎣 Our lead guide, Ian McDonald, has 20+ years of experience on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. He’s known for calm coaching, excellent river instincts, and epic photo ops.
🪶 Kenai River Fly Fishing Guides
Fly anglers love the Kenai for dry fly hatches, bead drifting, and aggressive rainbow trout. Ian and our team offer both walk-and-wade and float-style fly fishing trips, targeting:
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🐟 Rainbows & Dolly Varden (June–Oct)
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🐟 Coho Salmon (Late Aug–Sept)
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🐟 Pink Salmon (Every odd year, Aug–Sept)
🏡 Kenai River Fishing Lodges
Looking to stay close to the river? The Kenai Peninsula offers great fishing lodge options in:
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Soldotna – Central base for daily river launches
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Cooper Landing – Mountain vibes, closer to Upper Kenai fly water
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Kasilof – Quieter, drift-only river access
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Sterling & Funny River – Scenic, peaceful stays
We work closely with trusted local lodges — just ask for recommendations when booking your trip!
📍 Cooper Landing Fishing Guides
The Upper Kenai River near Cooper Landing is known for drift-only fly fishing, scenic canyons, and a more remote feel. This area is a hot spot for:
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🐟 Rainbow trout
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🐟 Dolly Varden
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🐟 Sockeye in July
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🐟 Coho in September
Ask about booking a Cooper Landing–specific trip for a unique day on the water.
🐠 Kenai Halibut Fishing Charters
Looking for Kenai halibut fishing charters? While halibut aren’t found in the river, we partner with local captains in:
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🛥️ Homer
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🛥️ Ninilchik
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🛥️ Deep Creek
These saltwater trips often combine halibut + king salmon in May–July.
🧭 A real Kenai fishing company – Who We Are
Kenai-Fishing.com is operated by Ian McDonald — an independent, local fishing guide with two decades of experience and a passion for river conservation.
We’re not a booking agency. We’re a true Kenai fishing company — born here, based here, and fishing here.
🎣 Ready to Book the Best Fishing Trip of Your Life?
We’re here to help you pick the right time, trip, and river. Whether you’re booking a one-day adventure or planning a full lodge-to-lodge tour across the Kenai Peninsula, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
👉 Contact Ian Now
📞 Or call/text: (907) 301-6957