King Salmon Charters

The glacial fed Kasilof River flows through the heart of the Kenai Peninsula on its journey to Cook Inlet, located just a short drive from the more famous Kenai River. The productive waters of the Kasilof provide a scenic and tranquil drift boat experience, where the sounds of line peeling off a reel and eagles screeching are more common than the noise of boat motors. 

In contrast to the Kenai River, the Kasilof King (Chinook) salmon run is enhanced by a hatchery program alongside naturally produced fish, allowing anglers to harvest up to 2 kings per day. 

We target these fish just after they enter the river, pushing upstream with the tides, providing you the opportunity to bring home fresh King Salmon, which many, including myself, consider the best eating salmon in Alaska. 

Your guide will skillfully maneuver the boat downstream to intercept these fish in their travel lanes and holding waters as they make their way upstream. The most common tactic we employ in this fishery is "back trolling" with the rods secured in a holder, while anglers patiently await the thrill of a bent-over rod and the exhilarating scream of the drag! 

Few fishing experiences can compare to the moment when an aggressive King decides to smash a plug, but we’ll leave that for you to discover! 

Kasilof Kings run from late May through July, with peak run timing occurring in June. Early season in Alaska is stunning, and this fishery presents a fantastic option for traveling anglers visiting before the crowds flock to the Kenai River later in the summer.