Alaska
Kenai River
Live Conditions
Kenai River — Kenai River at Soldotna, AK
Live Conditions
Kenai River — Kenai River at Cooper Landing, AK (upper river)
7-Day Flow
→ Stable
24-Hr Pressure
30.21 inHg · → High/stable
Local Weather
Technical day — size down, fish slow
Today
🌦️Drizzle
55° / 42°
0.02"
Tomorrow
🌦️Drizzle
58° / 41°
0.01"
Tue
🌦️Drizzle
66° / 46°
Wed
☁️Overcast
73° / 49°
Stable conditions — watch for afternoon hatches, especially BWOs on overcast stretches.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
One call. Specific to today's exact conditions on the Kenai River.
8.6
Time of Day
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Kenai River conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
Kenai River · June · Early Summer
🟢 Active now at 47.8°F water
Select month
Rainbow trout season opens June 11 (upper river closed May 1 – June 10 for spawning). Midges (size 18-22) on rainbows. ⚠️ 2026 King salmon FULL CLOSURE through Aug 15. Sockeye begin entering river.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About Kenai River
⚠️ 2026 KING SALMON CLOSURE — Per ADF&G emergency order, ALL king salmon fishing on the Kenai is closed for the entire 2026 season: no retention, no catch-and-release, both early-run (May 1 – June 19) and late-run (June 20 – Aug 15). Verify at adfg.alaska.gov before fishing. The trout fishery remains world-class — the Kenai's emerald-green glacial water near Soldotna holds wild rainbow trout to 30+ inches, plus Dolly Varden and sockeye. The Sterling Highway runs the full length of the river, making this one of the most road-accessible flagship fisheries in Alaska. Rainbow trout season runs June 11 – April 30 (upper river closed May 1 – June 10 to protect spawning fish). Below Skilak Lake, nymphing egg patterns and flesh flies through August–October is the prime trophy rainbow window. A 6-weight is the workhorse rod; the river is large enough that drift-boat fishing dominates at peak summer flows. Spring (May) flows ~6,000+ CFS from snowmelt — productive but big water.
Regulations
⚠️ KENAI KING SALMON FULLY CLOSED FOR 2026 — ADF&G emergency order, zero retention AND zero catch-and-release, both early and late runs. Alaska sport fishing license required ($20 resident / $100 non-resident annual; $15 1-day non-resident, $30 3-day, $45 7-day, $75 14-day). King salmon stamp ($10 resident / $100 non-resident annual) — currently academic on the Kenai due to closure but required on rivers with open king fisheries. Rainbow trout season: June 11 – April 30 (upper river closed May 1 – June 10 to protect spawning fish). Verify all current regulations and emergency orders at adfg.alaska.gov before every trip.