The Kenai River called Kahtnu in the Dena'ina language, is the longest river in the Kenai Peninsula of southcentral Alaska. It runs westward from Kenai Lake in the Kenai Mountains, through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Skilak Lake to its outlet into the Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean near Kenai and Soldotna.

Geography

thumb|left|Kenai River bank

The Kenai River [Kee-nye] is a meltwater river that drains the central Kenai Peninsula region. Its source is the Kenai Lake. Near Cooper Landing, the lake narrows to form the river. About from the lake, the river passes through Kenai Canyon for about of fast-flowing whitewater rapids. The Russian River empties into the Kenai several miles west of Cooper Landing. from Kenai Lake, the river enters Skilak Lake. The Kenai Lake to Skilak section is commonly referred to as the "Upper River". The portion from Skilak Lake downstream to the Sterling Highway bridge near Soldotna is known as "Middle River". The final from the bridge to the mouth at Cook Inlet is known as the "Lower River", where the flow is much gentler. The final are greatly influenced by changing tides. Each year there are two runs each of king salmon, coho salmon, sockeye salmon, plus a run of pink salmon every other year. The world record king salmon, which weighed about 44 kg (97 lb), was caught in the Kenai River in 1985. The Kenai is also the home of trophy size rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, with some reaching lengths of over 76.2 cm (30 inches). Occasionally anglers report catching "Steelhead" (Sea-run Rainbow Trout) in the Kenai River. In total, the Kenai River provides habitat to 40 different fish species.

The king salmon fishery is not as prolific as in other Alaskan rivers, but the Kenai is known for its large fish. A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 40–85 pounds (18–23 kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. The "Lower Kenai" is well known for its run and sizes of its king salmon. In recent years, the king salmon fishery has been closed or heavily restricted due to low returns of fish.

The coho salmon runs occur in early August and early October. The September run is favored by local anglers due to the larger size of the silver salmon.

The sockeye salmon runs are in late-June (bluebacks) and early-August. Sockeyes are considered the premier salmon for eating, canning, and smoking.

The pink salmon run occurs in even numbered years only.

See also

  • List of rivers of Alaska

References

  • Stock assessment of rainbow trout in the upper Kenai River, Alaska, in 2001 / by Bruce E. King and Jeffery A. Breakfield. Hosted by Alaska State Publications Program.
  • https://www.cooperlandingfishingguide.com
  • From the Archives: Les Anderson's World Record King Salmon.