The perfect half day
Upper Upper Kenai ½ Day Drift boat 7 miles of River 4 to 5 hours
Full Day Available
Dolly Varden / Arctic Char and Rainbow Trout April 1- April 30 and June 11 - Oct 15
Combo Red Salmon / Trout available July 20th – Aug 10th
Red Salmon only available July 20th – Aug 10th
Combo Silver Salmon / Trout available August 15th - October 15th
Silver Salmon only available August 15th - October 15th
The ideal half day fishing trip for families or for those anglers just needing an opportunity to fish the World Famous Kenai River. These beautiful baby blue waters and grand mountain scenery are sure to delight everyone. Experienced anglers with only enough time for a half day of fishing can finesse this trip into their busy Alaskan Vacation. Fishing for Arctic Char / Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout will be the reward that will make memories not soon to be forgotten. Starting from the Kenai River Bridge or (Drifters Lodge 400 yards down river) the Kenai River winds its’ way thru the town of Cooper Landing and the Chugach National Forest, ending at Sportsman's (Russian River) take out. The drift is 7 miles of beautiful mountain scenery. This is a drift only (no motors allowed) catch and release fishery. AM and PM trips daily, evening trips are special request only. Red Salmon are available from July 20th – Aug 10th Silvers from August 15th to October 15th.
Quartz Creek ½ Day Walk InFull Day AvailableJuly 25th – Aug 30th
This crystal clear, slow moving creek originates out of the Kenai range and gradually winds through Spruce forest before entering the massive glacial Kenai Lake. In August, this quiet stream becomes a Sockeye Salmon spawning war zone that attracts thousands of Arctic Char/Dolly Varden into the fray. Sight and indicator fishing egg patterns for these worthy game fish among hundreds of spawning Sockeye Salmon is the name of the game. Be ready for that sleeper rainbow hiding in the log jam. We begin fishing this creek July 25th and offer trips through August. This is an experienced fisherman’s paradise and a beginner would easily have a great learning experience as well. Bears are seen when salmon are present. Leaves from Drifters Lodge
Russian River ½ Day Walk InOpening (Mid June) - Sept 30thFull Day Available
The Russian River is a major tributary of the Upper Kenai. It originates out of two crystal clear mountain lakes and rapidly runs its short course through the Chugach National Forest eventually merging into the aqua blue waters of the Kenai River. The Russian is a textbook pocket water trout fishery with plenty of boulders, riffles, and crystal clear pools. This river fishes well from its opening on June 11th through September and can provide some of the best dry-fly fishing in Alaska for Rainbow Trout in July and early August. The Russian River receives two distinct runs of Sockeye Salmon providing insane amounts of flesh and eggs for the trout to gorge on thru fall creating a fly fishing Mecca. Sockeye fishing from June 11th – end of June and July 25th – August 10th Silver Salmon from September 1 – end of September. Rainbows are pretty much always available. Bears are seen when salmon are present. Leaves from Drifters Lodge.
Lower Kenai River Power Boat King Salmon Fishing
½ Day King Salmon Fishing Early to Mid May – July 31
Full Day King Salmon Fishing Early to Mid May – July 31
Guests wishing to have a half day fishing trip are offered 2 opportunities; mornings at 5:45 am and afternoons at 12:30 pm on the Kenai River. Kenai River King Salmon average 30 to 60 pounds. Fishing the Lower Kenai River can award the angler with the Ocean Fresh World Famous Kenai River King Salmon.
Kenai River King Salmon are the largest in the world. In 2008 there were a few Kings over 80 lbs Caught. The World Record King Salmon was a 97 pound 4 ounce brute hoisted out of the Kenai River. Caught on May 17th 1985 by Les Anderson, he lived right there in Soldotna, Alaska. The gargantuan King was all but 5 feet in length and an incredible 37.5 inch around the middle.
Full Day Fishing Trips
We will advise you as to which trips are fishing the best.
You may still choose where you want to go
Refuge / Canyon Driftboat One Trip 2 Different Sections
Trophy Rainbow Trout - Dolly Varden/Arctic Char Trout available June 11- October
Upper Refuge only or Both Sections or Canyon only
Red Salmon fishing available June 11th to June 30th and July 25th to August 10th
Silver Salmon fishing available August 20th to October 15th
Upper Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
This section of the river is a limited entry area on the Kenai River. It is operated by Salmon Chaser Inc. under a permit from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The first section starts at Sportsman’s (the Russian River) and finishes at Jim's Landing. This is a five mile stretch of a braided river system. It is ideal for fly fishing and offers fantastic Trophy Rainbow trout and Arctic Char/Dolly Varden. Red and Silver Salmon Fishing can be fished when they are available. Duration 8-9 hours The Canyon trip is the second part of the refuge and can be added to the Refuge trip upon request.
Upper Kenai River Canyon Trip, This section is awesome. The Canyon is the most beautiful and remote section of the Kenai River. The trip begins at Sportsman’s and finishes at Skilak Lake. Then we motor 45 minutes across the lake to the take out. Duration 9 – 10+ hours. It is usually combined with the first section. It is also operated by Salmon Chaser Inc. under a permit from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Upper Middle Kenai River(2 starting points)Driftboat9-13 Miles
Different times of year the fish are in different places
Trophy Trout only - Trophy Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden/Arctic Char
Combo Trout Salmon
Salmon only - Red Salmon or Silver Salmon
This section of river begins its flow out of Skilak Lake and slowly winds downstream before it enters a gorge called Nap town Rapids. The Middle is a very wide section of river with tons of classic submerged river structure and massive salmon spawning areas. Fish average 18 inches and fish in the 26-30 plus inch class are seen daily certain times of the year. More Rainbow Trout in the 12-18 pound class (that’s right, pounds) have been caught and released in this section of river over the last 10 years than any river in the world (late August - late October). Drifters Lodge guides knows all the fishing tactics and techniques for the monster rainbows that inhabit and migrate into this section of river. This is primarily a boat fishery. This is where some of the biggest Rainbow Trout in the world live. Maximum of four anglers per boat. 9 -13 mile Drift. Duration: 8 hrs +
Trout only From June 11 - Oct 30 Trophy Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char
Combo Trout / Red Salmon From July 20th – Aug 10 Red Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char
Combo Trout / Silver Salmon From August 15 – Oct 30 Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char
Lower Middle Kenai River
Combo Trout / King Salmon From June 11 – July 31 King Salmon Trophy Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char
King only From early/mid May – July 31 King Salmon
Trout only June 11 – September Trophy Trophy Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char
Kings are legendary combatants and begin entering Kenai Peninsula Rivers early to mid May and continue through the end of July. The largest of the five Pacific Salmon species, the Kings are powerhouses that are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. King salmon are not a guaranteed catch. If you catch and Keep a King Salmon you are done fishing for the day on the Kenai River, but Congratulations.
Ok now combined it with Trophy Rainbow fishing and the day can be extraordinary. Between King fishing holes you will gear up for Native Trophy Rainbow Trout. The Kenai River holds some of the largest Rainbow Trout in the world. Your guide will put you right over these monsters for an experience unlike anything you have probably experienced. This is a catch and Release fishery however you are allowed one under 18” for pan frying that night as they don’t freeze well at all. Although we use only drift boats in this area power boats are seen passing by. We will tell you which part of the river is fishing best for the time of year.
Lower Kenai River King Salmon - Trout Fishing - Silver Salmon Power Boat
King Salmon only
½ Day King Salmon Power Boat Fishing Mid May - July 31
Full Day King Salmon Power Boat Fishing Mid May - July 31
Drift Boat
Trout only July – Sept 15 Rainbow Trout Dolly Varden /Arctic Char
Trout - Silver Salmon Combo August 15 – Sept 15 Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden /Arctic Char
Silver Salmon only August 15 – October
King Salmon Guests wishing to have a full day King Salmon fishing trip the opportunity is in the morning at 5:45 am on the Kenai River. Kenai River King Salmon average 30 to 60 pounds. Fishing the Lower Kenai River can award the angler with the Ocean Fresh World Famous Kenai River King Salmon. Kenai River King Salmon are the largest in the world. In 2008 there were a few Kings over 80 lbs Caught. The World Record King Salmon was a 97 pound 4 ounce brute hoisted out of the Kenai River. Caught on May 17th 1985 by Les Anderson, he lived right there in Soldotna, Alaska. The gargantuan King was all but 5 feet in length and an incredible 37.5 inch around the middle.
Trout fishing drift boat fishing on the Lower Kenai River, although best known for the World Record King Salmon this Section of River is awesome for Rainbows. The Rainbows feast on the Kings Spawning on this section of River. The drift is anywhere from 7 miles to 15 mile in a drift boat.
Silver Salmon you can choose power or drift boat for your fishing experience. Silvers are mighty fighting machines that will please any foodie on the BBQ. Ocean fresh Silver Salmon caught low on the Kenai River keep entering the river all fall.
Kasilof River 8 mile drift
King Salmon May 16 – July 31 Silver Salmon August 1 - October
An awesome non-motorized, drift boat only King Salmon fishery and is perfect for families and anglers who prefer a quieter, laid-back scene. Fish average 15-18 pounds with trophy fish in the 30 plus pound class hitting the net regularly. This is a hatchery enhanced river typically offering more shots at fish than the Lower Kenai. We deploy the same tactics and techniques used on the Kenai, with some fly-fishing opportunities available depending on water flow and time of year. This fishery jumps off May 16th and continues through the end of July with peak times being June 1st – June 15th and July 15th to End of July. Get ready for that heart-stopping takedown that only King Salmon can produce. Silver Salmon fishing is very good earlier than the Kenai.
Starting point is 64 miles from Drifters Lodge driving thru Soldotna over the Kenai River Bridge and then 14 more miles to the Kasilof River Bridge. Starting point is the Kasilof River Bridge
King Salmon Early/Mid May – July 31
Silver Salmon August 1 – September
Frank Williams & Bob Rima
Kenai River Drifters Lodge
