Home / Fishing Trips
Guided salmon & trout trips
Kenai River
Fishing Trips
Private trips from
$800
a boat
★★★★★
135+ Google 5-star reviews · 80+ Tripadvisor reviews · Kenai & Kasilof Rivers
Half-day and full-day trips on the Kenai and Kasilof
Book a private boat for your group, or a seat on a shared boat if you’re fishing on your own or as a pair. Either way, your guide puts you on whatever is running on the Kenai or Kasilof River, from sockeye, king and silver salmon to trophy rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
Our guides cater to all skill levels, so first-timers and kids are just as welcome as seasoned anglers. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided, and at the end of the day your guide fillets your catch so it’s ready for the cooler.
Trip Details
Waters
Kenai & Kasilof Rivers
Trip lengths
Kenai 4 or 7 hrs · Kasilof 6 hrs
Boat
Private boat or shared seat
Price
Boats from $800 · seats from $250
Departs
38237 Kenai Drive, Sterling
Gear
Rods, reels, tackle & bait
Season
Mid-May to September 20
Private boats & shared seats
Choose Your Trip
Two trip lengths on the Kenai. Book the whole boat for up to 4 anglers, or a seat on a shared boat. Kasilof River trips run 6 hours: $1,000 a boat or $250 a seat. Rods, reels, tackle and bait included.
Short on time?
Half Day
From $800
per boat · up to 4 anglers
4 hours
Private boat
Kenai River
All gear included
Four hours on the river, built for families, first-timers and tight travel schedules. Target one species or fish whatever is running, and your guide makes the most of the time.
Time on the water
4 hours
Price
$800 trout (May 16 to July 15), $1,100 salmon
Anglers
Up to 4, one price per boat
Shared seat
From $275 per person
Best for
Families, first-timers, tight schedules
Want more time on the water?
The Full Day is 7 hours for $1,400.
Most time on the water
Full Day
$1,400
per boat · up to 4 anglers
7 hours
Private boat
Kenai River
All gear included
Seven hours on the water for seasoned anglers and beginners alike: time to fish more of the river and go after more than one species. Your guide brings everything you need, so you can focus on catching fish.
Time on the water
7 hours
Anglers
Up to 4, one price per boat
Shared seat
$350 per person
Focus
Multiple species
Best for
Filling the cooler, seasoned anglers
Short on time?
The Half Day is 4 hours, from $800.
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Private boats for up to 4, or a shared seat from $275
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Rods, reels, tackle and bait included
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Your catch cleaned and filleted
Trip Availability
Loading the calendar…
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Secure Checkout through Stripe
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Private and Shared Charters
Gift certificates
Any trip, any amount
Species & season · swipe
What’s Running
Same trips and prices all season. Your guide targets whatever is running when you come.
Sockeye Salmon
Peak: last 2 weeks of July
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Fast action and the best-tasting salmon on the river. Thousands run upstream each summer.
King Salmon
Late May run, bigger run in July
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Kasilof River kings, typically 20 to 50 pounds, from mid-May.
Silver Salmon
Peaks late summer into fall
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Acrobatic, feisty and often rolling in big pods along the banks.
Rainbow Trout
Best: the fall bead bite
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Regular shots at trout over 30 inches at peak times. Dolly Varden too.
In season
Peak
Off
Run timing shifts year to year. Call the crew for this season’s outlook.
Two rivers, one crew
Our Waters
We fish the Kenai and the Kasilof, and your guide picks the river that is fishing best for your date and target species.
Kenai River
Three salmon runs (sockeye, king and silver) plus big rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Sockeye peak in late July and silvers arrive in August.
Species
Kings, sockeye, silvers, rainbows, Dollies
From home base
Right outside our door in Sterling
Kasilof River
Just south of Sterling on the Kenai Peninsula. Home to our King Salmon trips, plus sockeye in summer, and a good option when your guide wants a different stretch of water.
Species
King salmon, sockeye
From home base
About 30 minutes
Before you hit the river
Plan Your Day
Where to meet, what we provide and what to pack. The same on every trip.
What’s Included
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A guide and boat for your group, or a shared seat
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Rods, reels, tackle and bait
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Your catch filleted for the cooler
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Bring rain gear and waterproof boots
You bring
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Alaska fishing license (ages 16+)
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Warm, waterproof layers
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Rain jacket, hat, sunglasses
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Snacks and drinks
Trip lengths
Half day runs 4 hours, full day runs 7. Kasilof River trips run 6. Open start times show in the booking calendar.
Licenses
Anglers 16 and older need an Alaska sport fishing license, plus a king stamp to fish for kings.
Catch limits
Daily limits follow Alaska Fish & Game regulations for the season. Your guide keeps you current.
Where we meet
38237 Kenai Drive, Sterling, AK
Kasilof River launch details come with your booking.
Anchorage (ANC)
2 hr 30 min
Kenai (ENA)
25 min
Soldotna
15 min
Cooper Landing
45 min
Local guides, western service
Meet Our Team
Nick Collins
Lead guide · Washington State
Mark Marum
4th year guide · Grew up in Alaska
Ryan Byrne
Guide · Veteran
Sam Collins
2nd year guide · Washington State
From Tripadvisor & Google
What Anglers Say
★★★★★
We’ve chartered trips all over the world. No captain has worked harder to put us on the fish. We all caught our limit thanks to his awesome teaching abilities, limitless patience, and immense dedication to his craft!
Lindsey Powers
Trip with Captain Dusty
★★★★★
What a fantastic trip with Nick. He was amazing, gear was great, scenery was unbelievable. Appreciate the coaching from Nick. Don’t hesitate to book this trip!!
Joe Hartman
Trip with Nick
★★★★★
We went with Mark at Kenai River Cowboys and we’re not disappointed. This guy knows his fish, and knows how to teach everyone the right method (“Rod down towards the water!”). Go with the “Gold” standard.
James Bailey
Trip with Captain Mark
Good to know
Before You Book
How much does a Kenai River fishing trip cost?
A private half day (4 hours) starts at $800 per boat and a full day (7 hours) is $1,400 per boat, for up to 4 anglers. Shared seats start at $275 per person. Kasilof River trips run 6 hours: $1,000 a boat or $250 a seat.
Why does the half day start at $800?
Half-day trout trips are $800 per boat. Half-day salmon trips are $1,100 per boat. Both run 4 hours for up to 4 anglers.
Private boat or shared seat: what’s the difference?
A private boat is your group and your guide, priced per boat for up to 4 anglers. A shared seat puts you on a boat with other anglers, priced per person, which suits solo anglers and pairs.
Half day or full day?
The half day suits families, first-timers and tight travel schedules. The full day gives your guide time to fish more water and go after more than one species.
When can I book?
Kenai River trout trips run May 16 to September 20 and salmon trips July 1 to September 20. Kasilof River trips run May 16 to September 1. Open dates and start times show in the booking calendar.
How do I book?
Pick a trip and an open date in the online calendar and check out securely through Stripe, or call the crew at (907) 382-6288.
What should I bring?
Your Alaska fishing license (ages 16 and up), warm waterproof layers, a rain jacket, waterproof boots, a hat, sunglasses, snacks and drinks.
Can I give a trip as a gift?
Yes. Gift certificates are available for any trip, in any amount, and you can buy them online.
Pick your date
Pick Your Trip
Choose your length, pick an open date, and you are on the river. Questions first? Call the crew.
