Kenai River Special Management Area
(Kenai Peninsula)
(Printer
version Kenai River Special Management Area)
The Kenai River boasts major runs of four Pacific salmon species - king, red, silver and pink - in addition to trophy-sized rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Kenai River kings, or Chinook salmon, are among the largest North Pacific salmon, often weighing from 50 to over 85 pounds. The abundant productivity of the Kenai River and variety of habitats enables the area to support large concentrations of bald eagles and many species of migratory waterfowl. Moose, caribou, wolves, bears and other wildlife also use the river system’s resources. The area offers prime opportunities for fishing, boating, camping and wildlife observation.
The Kenai River Special Management
Area (SMA) consists of more than 105 linear miles of rivers and lakes, including
Kenai Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai River from river mile 82 downstream to
four miles above the river’s mouth on Cook Inlet. Adjacent to these waters are
fifteen state park sub-units and land owned by cities, the borough and the
federal government, as well as private and native lands.
Boating Safety
Knowledge, skill and vigilance are required to operate a boat safely -
especially with crowded boating conditions and natural and man-made hazards.
Please learn the US Coast Guard "rules of the road" for your safety and others.
Non-motorized boats and boats drifting downstream have the right-of-way. Boats
under power headed or pointed upstream must yield to other traffic. Between May
15 and July 31, it is illegal to anchor in a manner that obstructs a primary
traffic channel or fishing channel of any section of the Kenai River. Power
boats are limited to 6 passengers on board, including the operator.
Boat operators are legally responsible for their boats’ wake and any damage it
causes. Please travel mid-river whenever possible. Use appropriate speeds and
keep wake to a minimum to reduce bank erosion and silting of spawning beds.
Approach other boats and property, such as docks, carefully.
US Coast Guard approved life jackets should be worn and must at least be readily
accessible. State law requires that life jackets be worn at all times by
children under the age of 13. Boating accidents usually result in hypothermia or
drowning, due to cold water and fast currents. Dress appropriately and help
those in need. The Kenai and Skilak Lakes are very cold and subject to sudden
high winds which kick up choppy waves. Stay on shore in bad weather.
Regulations and Courtesy
The river is for everyone’s enjoyment - there is no such thing as a personal
fishing hole. Courtesy and common sense make everyone’s experience more
enjoyable. Fishing regulations may change annually or by emergency order, so
check current regulations before fishing. Complete harvest records immediately
for king salmon or rainbow trout you keep.
Different fishing methods are popular in different river reaches - please don’t
buck the trend. Drift fishing through backtrollers, or backbouncing or
backtrolling in the middle of an occupied drift is not only discourteous, it is
dangerous. It may cause confusion, tangled or cut lines, hot tempers and
accidents.
Landing a salmon on the Kenai River is a challenge in itself. A net held in the
air, or in an upright position, means that someone in that boat has a "fish on".
Help those lucky enough to hook one by pulling in your line and steering your
boat out of the way.
Fish experience shock when caught. Treat a fish you intend to release carefully
and release it before it is totally "played out". Remove the hook while the fish
is in the water and if it cannot be released easily, cut the leader. An
exhausted fish may need to be gently supported in the water. Breakaway sinker
rigs greatly reduce gear lost to snags and help prevent disruptions to others.
It is illegal to gaff fish on the Kenai River or to lift any fish you do not
intend to keep out of the water.
Boat motor size is limited to 35 horsepower, excepting on Kenai and Skilak
Lakes. The majority of the Kenai River SMA is closed to jet skis, hovercraft,
airboats and water skiing. A large portion of the upper Kenai River is a
"non-motorized area". Please contact one of the offices listed at the end of
this page for further information.
Kenai River Guides
Guides must have a state park commercial use permit and meet safety training and
insurance requirements. It is illegal to book a fishing trip or pay someone for
guide services who is not a registered guide within the Kenai River SMA. If you
use a guide service, be sure the vessel displays current Kenai River guide
decal, a large three digit boat number and the Kenai River SMA guide
identification card.
Source: Alaska State Parks.
For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.
Alaska
National Parks
Denali National Park,
Kenai Fjords National Park,
Lake Clark National Park,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska State
Parks by Region
Anchorage,
Interior Alaska,
Kenai Peninsula,
Kodiak,
Mat-Su
Valley,
Prince William Sound,
Southeast Alaska,
Southwest Alaska
Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS,
Birch Lake
State Recreation Site,
Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks,
Captain
Cook State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Site,
Chilkat Bald
Eagle Preserve,
Chugach State Park,
Clam Gulch
State Recreation Area,
Deep Creek
State Recreation Area,
Delta
Junction Area State Parks,
Denali State Park,
Haines Area State
Parks,
Harding
Lake State Recreation Area,
Independence Mine State Historical Park,
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park,
Kasilof Area State
Parks,
Kenai
River Special Management Area,
Kodiak Area State
Parks,
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area,
Ninilchik
State Recreation Area,
Point Bridget
State Park,
Salcha
River State Recreation Site,
Sitka Area State Parks,
State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay,
Summit Lake
State Recreation Site, Tok
Area Parks,
Totem Bight
State Historical Park,
Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site,
Wickersham State Historic Site,
Wood-Tikchik
State Park
