THE BIGGEST KING SALMON IN THE WORLD
the chinooks of the kenai river
Setting the world record in 1985, Les Anderson of Soldotna, Alaska hauled in a giant Kenai River King Salmon weighing 97 lbs 4oz that would be immortalized forever in history. To this day Les’ chinook still holds the world record for rod and reel caught king.
Since the 80s, the Kenai River has turned out more 80lb fish than any river around the world. Scientists studying Kenai stocks vs. 43 other king salmon stocks from Alaska, British Columbia and the Lower 48 found that after 4 years in the out to sea, Kenai River King Salmon were the largest in the ocean.
No wonder people have been flocking to the Kenai River for decades attempting to get their hands on a possible world-record fish. Since Les set the record, several 80 and 90lb fish have been landed and turned loose, but none as impressive as his.
Lately, Kings have been returning to the Kenai River earlier than they used to, making the average-sized fish smaller. Similarly, the overall number of Kenai River King Salmon has also declined.
Each season sees openings and emergency closures for Kenai River King Salmon. With this fact in mind, we practice catch and release on all Kings on the Kenai, no exceptions. The king return on the Kenai River is still 100% wild with no hatchery fish to muddy the stocks.
king salmon seasons on the kenai
Starting in late April and early May, mature wild ocean Kings born in the Kenai River begin to make their way to the river mouth up the southern Kenai Peninsula.
This first run of Kenai River King Salmon has their sights set on the Killey River, a tributary to the Kenai River where most first run fish spawn and spend the first year of their lives as juveniles.
Most first run fish make their way up in early May and June fish and tend to be in the 20lb-50lb range, with the bigger kings of the second run in July reaching the 80lb mark or more!
early and first run kenai kings
The earlier run of Kenai River King Salmon enjoy lower water levels and lighter flows as the majority of run-off and glacial melt is still a month away.
May and early June are great times to try fly fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River. It is also a good time for drift boats and back trolling as well.
Adult Chinook Salmon in this run head to the Killey River to stage for spawning later in August. Kings this time of year will be dime-bright and aggressive out of the salt water.
The general peak of the first run on the Kenai is usually around the middle of June.
world record genetics of the second run
The second run of Kenai River King Salmon arrive in July and are known to carry larger genes most likely due to the heavier river flows. The river this time of year can swell quite a bit in July due to glacial run off of the Snow River Glacier and Skilak Glacier.
Instead of making their way to the Killey River, these bigger fish spawn in the mainstem of the Kenai. Some swim nearly 100 miles or more to reach their natal spawning grounds on the Upper Kenai River.
Peaking around the 15th of July, the second run of Chinooks are generally targeted in the tidal water of the lower river.
As the second run of kings arrive, so to do the second run of Sockeye Salmon (often in the 10s of thousands on each tide). This time of year, we shift focus to Sockeye Salmon angling.
Kenai River King Salmon Regulations
Any time you fish in Alaska, be sure to check both ADF&G regulations as well as Emergency Orders as Kenai River King Salmon are usually subject to such rules.
When it comes to Chinooks on the Kenai, Cooper Landing Fishing Guide practices Catch and Release, with no exceptions.
*Whether targeting chinooks in the salt water or on the rivers of Alaska, anglers will need a King Salmon Stamp on their licenses to target Kings.