RUN TIMING FOR THE KENAI PENINSULA’S MAJOR SPORT FISHERIES

ALL OF THE PENINSULA’S MAJOR FISHERIES ARE EASILY ACCESSABLE FROM SOLDOTNA!

DISTANCE FROM SOLDOTNA

LOCATION

SPECIES

RUN TIMING

Soldotna is located along the Banks of the Kenai River

Kenai River ^1,2

King Salmon

1^st Run: mid-May to early July

2^nd Run: early July to season closure on July 31. ²

Red Salmon

Mid-July to early August.

Silver Salmon

1^st Run: late July to late August.

2^nd Run: early September thru season closure on September 30. ^{–Closed to Fishing for Silvers Aug. 1-Aug. 3}

The Russian River empties into the Kenai River in Cooper Landing and is a beautiful 45 minute drive North of Soldotna

Russian River ²

Red Salmon

1^st Run: mid-June to mid-July

2^nd Run: mid-July to season closure on August 20

The Kasilof River is a quick 20 minute drive South of Soldotna

Kasilof River

King Salmon

Late May to season closure on July 31

These rivers are located in Ninilchik, which is a scenic 35-40 minute drive south of Soldotna

Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River

King Salmon

Late May to late June.  This is a “weekend only” fishery. Consult regulations closely before fishing here.

Silver Salmon

Early August to mid-September

Steelhead Trout

Mid-August to early November (catch and release only)

This river is located in Ninilchik which is a 35-40 minute drive south of Soldotna

Deep Creek

Salt Water

King Salmon

1^st Run: early May to late June

2^nd Run: late June to early August

Resurrection Bay is a beautiful 1 ½ hour drive across the peninsula East of Soldotna to Seward

Resurrection Bay

Silver Salmon

Early July to late September

The Homer Spit is located only a 1hour and 15 minutes South of Soldotna

Homer Spit

King Salmon

1^st Run: mid-May to early July

2^nd Run: Last stocked 1999, some available July-August

Silver Salmon

Early August to mid-September

Dolly Varden

Mid-May to mid-July

This cove is located in Kachemak Bay.  It is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive to Homer; then a 25 minute boat ride across Kachemak Bay to Halibut Cove

Halibut Cove

King Salmon

Mid-May to early July

Clam digging is conveniently located on the beaches of Cook Inlet from 20-40 minutes drive South of Soldotna

Clam Gulch, Deep Creek and Polly Creek

Razor Clams

All year, on -2ft tides or lower

1. There may be emergency closures on all fisheries at any time. However, emergency closures are more likely to affect both Kenai River king salmon runs, both Russian River red runs and the Kenai River silver salmon run.

2. Open seasons and legal tackle varies greatly.  Consult regulations closely when fishing the Kenai River.