The King or Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Is the largest Pacific salmon, making it a coveted game fish and one of the most important sport fish on the Pacific coast. The king salmon commonly exceeds 30 pounds; the largest on record being 126-pound caught commercially in 1949. The largest sport caught king salmon was 97.4 pounds taken on Alaska's Kenai River in May 17, 1985 by Les Anderson. 

The first run of king salmon appear in the Kenai River the beginning of May, peaking around June 5 and holding strong though the month. The water lever is much lower this time of year, forcing the king salmon into holes and channels. Although this run is much smaller in numbers compared to the second run, (8,500 to 12,500 Kings) the salmon fishing is still productive due to the low water levels and fewer anglers on the water. The first run king salmon average 30 to 50 pounds with an occasional 60 to 70 pounder. In 2003, Alaska Department of Fish and Game instituted a “slot limit” through May and June, ranging from 46 to 55 inches must be released.

The second run of king salmon start up the Kenai River the last week of June, peaking around July 10th through the end of the month. The number of kings in the second run double (28,000 to 35,000) from the first run. An average king salmon in July is 35 to 55 pounds. July is the most demanding month for booking, 80% of our clients are returns and most re-book when they leave the previous year. In July, Alaska's Kenai River can be considered the king salmon capital of the world. 

"Release A Hog" Program

Kenai River Guides encourages catch and release. The Kenai River Sport Fishing Association (KRSA) has set up a program called “Release A Hog” on the Kenai River during July. If anyone on our boats catch a king salmon 52 inches or more and releases it, the KRSA will pay $900 towards a replica mount. Since the program started in 2003, over 100 kings have been released each season.