Today on the Kenai
Kenai River · Tuesday, July 14 ▾
Good afternoon
Tuesday, July 14
Escapement Goal
Excellent ≥ 80
87
fishing score
Excellent fishing
18,500
Today
16,200
Yesterday
11,400
10yr average
Sockeye
18,500
Strong 86%
King
CLOSED
Restricted 12%
Silver
1,240
Starting 28%
River Conditions
2,850 CFS · 52°F · Moderate clarity
Rising
Updated 18m ago
Next High Tide
4:12 PM · 21.4 ft
Incoming
Best Fishing Windows
Guide Report 5:30 AM – 7:00 AM
Low light · slack tide
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Incoming tide · strong sockeye push
⚠️
Salmon counts
Sockeye
18,500 Strong run
Up 14% from yesterday · 62% above the 10-year average
Official
Source: ADF&G Sonar
Updated: 18m ago
Yesterday
16,200
10-year average
11,400
Difference
+62%
Season total
284,500
Average by now
265,000
Season pace
+7%
Sockeye trend
Season curve
Sonar stations
Kenai River Sonar (RM 13.7)
Primary counting station
18,500
↑ Rising
Moose River Weir
Upper tributary
4,120
↑ Rising
Kasilof River Weir
Kasilof system
9,800
→ Steady
Weekly run pulse
Emergency order active
King salmon retention prohibited above River Mile 13. Catch-and-release only. ADF&G monitors daily — check orders before every trip.
Yesterday
476
10-year average
760
Difference
-55%
Season total
18,400
Average by now
41,000
Season pace
-55%
7-day count
Silver
1,240 Starting
Early season · Run building
Forecast
Source: Sport Surveys
Yesterday
980
Peak average
3,200
Difference
+26%
7-day count
Silver (Coho) season peaks mid-August through September. Currently in early stages with fish returning to lower river. Expect counts to increase significantly over the next 3–4 weeks.
Pink
5,800 Strong run
Even Year · Major Run Active
Official
Source: ADF&G Sonar
Yesterday
5,200
Peak average
8,500
Difference
68%
Pink (Humpy) salmon runs are exceptionally strong on even-numbered years in the Kenai system. 2026 is an even year, representing the peak of the 2-year run cycle. Best fishing late July and August. Often found in massive schools in the lower river.
Dolly activity
High
Rainbow activity
Mod
Rainbow regs
C&R
Current conditions
Water Temp
52°F — Ideal for char Salmon Eggs Present
Yes — Sockeye spawning Best Method
Egg patterns / beads Rainbow Trout Regs
C&R most sections Forecast
Sockeye run timing forecast
First fish
May 22–26
May 22–26
Peak window
June 15 – July 5
June 15 – July 5
Historical peak
June 23
June 23
10-year average size
2.3M fish
2.3M fish
Live counter starts May 15 · Data: ADF&G sonar
Top 10 rivers dashboard
Official| River | Species | Today | Total |
|---|
River Conditions
Kenai River
Flow
2,850 CFS
Rising fast
Stage
4.8 FT
Normal range
Water Temp
52 °F
Optimal
Clarity
Moderate
2–3 ft
Flow Trend — 7 Day
2,850
Now (CFS)
2,400
7-Day Low
3,200
7-Day High
River Sections
Upper Kenai (Cooper Landing)
Skilak Lake to Cooper Landing
Good
Clear · 1,100 CFS
Middle Kenai (Sterling)
Bing's to Swiftwater
Good
Mod clarity
Lower Kenai (Soldotna–Kenai)
Soldotna to mouth
Best
Tide + run push
Kasilof River
Flow
1,420 CFS
→ Steady
Stage
3.2 FT
Normal
Water Temp
49 °F
Good
Clarity
Clear
4+ ft vis
Flow Trend — 7 Day
Anchor River
Flow
185 CFS
Low · normal
Water Temp
46 °F
Cool
Clarity
Clear
5+ ft vis
Target Species
Dolly Varden
Pink / Silver later
Anchor River is known for steelhead in fall and Dolly Varden through summer. Pink salmon enter in late July, silvers August–October. Small coastal stream near Anchor Point — generally uncrowded.
Ninilchik River
Flow
95 CFS
Low · normal
Water Temp
48 °F
Cool
Clarity
Clear
Good
Tide Influence
Tidal
Check Cook Inlet
Ninilchik River and Deep Creek offer surf fishing for king and silver salmon plus Dolly Varden. The river mouth area is productive during incoming tides. Deep Creek State Recreation Area provides beach access.
Ninilchik / Deep Creek Guide → Tide Intelligence
LiveToday's Tide Curve
| Time | Height | Type |
|---|
Fishing Windows
7-Day Schedule
| Date | Low | High | High 2 |
|---|
⚠ Cook Inlet tidal range up to 28 ft. Strong current on outgoing — extreme caution in boats.
Boat Launches & Spots
Official10 boat launches on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. Launch selection depends on target species and conditions. Arrive early — launches fill fast during salmon season.
Upper River
#1
Upper Kenai River
Lower Skilak Lake
Seasonal · Summer Open
Gateway to Skilak Lake and upper Kenai. World-class sockeye, king, and rainbow trout access. Remote setting — high-clearance vehicle recommended for access road.
#2
Upper–Middle Kenai · Sterling
Bing's Landing
Open
Perfectly positioned for prime middle Kenai fishing. Popular with guides and drift boats. Good bank fishing access. Day-use area with restrooms.
Middle River
#3
Middle Kenai · Sterling
Izaak Walton
Open
Named after the famous angler. Favored launch for productive middle Kenai water. Campground on site. Excellent sockeye and king access.
#4
Middle Kenai · Keystone Dr, Sterling
End of Keystone
Open
Secluded, less-crowded access — ideal for early morning starts when Soldotna launches are jammed. Off Keystone Drive.
Soldotna — Prime Sockeye Water
🔥 #5
Soldotna · Most Popular
Swiftwater Campground
Open · Busy Season
Quick entry to the Kenai's most productive sockeye water. One of the busiest launches during dipnet season. Adjacent campground. Paid parking enforced.
🔥 #6
Soldotna · City Center
Centennial Park
Open
Heart of Soldotna — central location, large parking area. Short walk to restaurants and supplies. Excellent dipnet staging area.
Lower River
#7
Lower Kenai · Kenai City
Pillars Landing
Open
Picturesque setting near Kenai bluffs. Productive for king and sockeye. Scenic lower river tidal access near Kenai city center.
#8
Lower Kenai · Near Mouth
Eagle Rock
Open
Strategic access for both upstream and downstream lower Kenai. Named for the bald eagles frequenting this area. Excellent tidal water access.
Kasilof River System
#9
Kasilof River · Cohoe Loop Rd
Kasilof River Launch
Open
Known for excellent king salmon and sockeye with typically clearer water than the Kenai. Less crowded — great alternative when Soldotna launches are packed.
#10
Tustumena Lake · Remote
Tustumena Lake
Seasonal · Check Conditions
Wild and scenic Tustumena Lake — trophy lake trout, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden. Breathtaking wilderness setting. Weather changes rapidly — not for inexperienced boaters.
Top bank fishing access points on the Kenai Peninsula. No boat required.
Soldotna · Most Popular
Soldotna Fishing Hole
Open · Producing
The famous Soldotna "Fishing Hole" — stocked pond adjacent to the Kenai River with easy bank access. Restrooms, parking, family-friendly.
Upper River · Cooper Landing · World-Famous
Russian River Confluence
Open · Excellent
World-famous sockeye bank fishery. Shoulder-to-shoulder fishing during peak runs. Fly fishing only on the Russian. Free ferry crossing. Arrive by 4 AM during peak season.
Lower River · Kenai City
Kenai River Beach (Mouth)
Open · Tide Dependent
Beach access at the Kenai River mouth. Excellent during incoming tide for dipnetting and bank fishing. Best during afternoon window today.
Alaska Residents Only
Dipnetting is restricted to Alaska residents with a current resident fishing license and personal use permit.
2026 Dipnet Status
Season Opens
July 10, 2026Season Closes
July 31, 2026Limit
25 sockeye + 10/add. residentBest Window Today
1:30–4:00 PM (incoming)Run Strength
Strong · 18,500 todayPrimary Dipnet Site
Kenai River Mouth
Open · Best Window: 1:30 PM
Main dipnetting area on the lower Kenai near the river mouth. Fish stack in numbers during incoming tides. Waist-to-chest waders required. Very busy during peak.
Angler Command Center
Fishing Data
ADF&G Fish Counts
Official Alaska Dept of Fish & Game salmon sonar counts for Kenai and Kasilof rivers. Primary source for daily run numbers.
adfg.alaska.gov
OfficialADF&G Fishing Reports
Southcentral region fishing reports. Weekly updates on run strength, regulations, and fishing conditions by area.
adfg.alaska.gov
OfficialEmergency Orders
Southcentral ADF&G emergency orders. Check before every trip — king salmon restrictions active.
adfg.alaska.gov · R2 Orders
LIVE UPDATESSport Fishing Regulations
Current Alaska sport fishing regulations handbook. Bag limits, seasons, gear restrictions, and area-specific rules.
adfg.alaska.gov · Regs
Official
River & Tide Data
USGS River Flow
Real-time river height, discharge (CFS), and water temperature from USGS gauges on Kenai and Kasilof rivers.
waterdata.usgs.gov
LIVE DATANOAA Tide Charts
Cook Inlet tide predictions — critical for timing incoming salmon movement and dipnetting windows at Kenai River mouth.
tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov
LIVE DATA
Weather & Marine Forecasts
Access, Parks & Safety
Alaska State Parks
Fishing access, campgrounds, boat launches, and Kenai River Special Management Area rules.
dnr.alaska.gov/parks
OfficialKenai National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife viewing, habitat conditions, and access information for the refuge surrounding the Kenai River.
fws.gov/refuge/kenai
OfficialAlaska 511 Roads
Road conditions for driving to Kenai, Soldotna, Homer, and Seward. Critical in early season and after storms.
511.alaska.gov
LIVE CONDITIONSAlaska Wildlife Troopers
Enforcement updates and reporting violations. AWT patrols the Kenai River heavily during salmon season.
dps.alaska.gov/awt
Safety
Boat Launches & Maps
More Directory
Launches & Access Points
10 boat launches, bank access & dipnet sites
Angler Resources
Ecosystem links, ADF&G regulations, weather maps
App Settings & Preferences
Configure visual themes, alerts, run tracking
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