ADF&G 2026 SPORT FISHING RULES
KENAI RIVER
FISHING REGULATIONS
SOCKEYE • COHO • KING • TROUT • GEAR • GUIDE DAYS
Last reviewed October 2026
THE QUICK ANSWER
WHAT ARE THE KENAI RIVER FISHING REGULATIONS IN 2026?
In 2026 the Kenai River is closed to king salmon fishing by emergency order, sockeye 16 inches or longer are 6 per day and 12 in possession from June 20 to August 15 below Skilak Lake (3 per day the rest of the year), and coho are held at 2 per day through November 30. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are 1 per day and must be under 16 inches, and most of the river allows only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly.
ADF&G splits the mainstem into the lower river (the mouth up to and including Skilak Lake) and the middle river (Skilak Lake up to Kenai Lake, including the Russian River). Gear rules also change at the Moose River confluence in Sterling, about river mile 36.2. You need a current Alaska sport fishing license to fish, and emergency orders override everything on this page.
BEFORE YOU FISH
REGULATIONS CHANGE BY EMERGENCY ORDER — CHECK ADF&G BEFORE YOU FISH
ADF&G closes, restricts and liberalizes Kenai River fisheries in season by emergency order (EO), and an EO overrides the printed regulations booklet. In 2026 alone, EOs closed both king salmon runs and kept the coho limit at two fish. Check the current Northern Kenai list on the day you fish.
NORTHERN KENAI EMERGENCY ORDERSAT A GLANCE
KENAI RIVER LIMITS BY SPECIES AND RIVER SECTION
Limits are daily bag and possession limits for 2026, with emergency orders applied. Fish under 16 inches have separate, larger limits; see the booklet.
| SPECIES / RULE | LOWER RIVER: MOUTH TO MOOSE RIVER (RM 0–36.2) | LOWER RIVER: MOOSE RIVER TO SKILAK LAKE (RM 36.2–50) | MIDDLE RIVER: SKILAK LAKE TO KENAI LAKE |
|---|---|---|---|
| King salmon | Closed in 2026 by emergency order, including catch-and-release | Closed in 2026 by emergency order, including catch-and-release | Closed year-round by regulation |
| Sockeye, 16 in. or longer | June 20–Aug. 15: 6 per day, 12 in possession, sockeye only. Aug. 16–June 19: 3 per day, 6 in possession, combined with chum and coho | Same as the river below | Closed May 1–June 10. June 11–Aug. 31: 3 per day, 6 in possession, combined with chum; no more than 2 may be coho |
| Coho, 16 in. or longer | July 1–Nov. 30: 2 per day, 2 in possession (the September increase to 3 was cancelled by EO for 2026). No retention Dec. 1–June 30 | Same, except coho fishing is closed upstream of Bing’s Landing Nov. 1–June 30 | Open July 1–Oct. 31: 2 per day, 2 in possession in 2026 |
| Rainbow / steelhead trout | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. |
| Dolly Varden / Arctic char | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. | 1 per day, 1 in possession, must be under 16 in. |
| Hooks and bait | Jan. 1–Aug. 15: one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly. Aug. 16–Nov. 30: bait and multiple hooks allowed. Dec.: single unbaited hook again | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly, year-round | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly, year-round, with a hook gap of 3/8 in. or less; fly-only water near the Russian River |
Source: ADF&G 2026 Kenai River regulations, with the 2026 king and coho emergency orders. The middle river is closed to all sport fishing May 1–June 10, and so is the lower river from about a mile above the Lower Killey River up to Skilak Lake.
SOCKEYE (RED) SALMON
WHAT IS THE KENAI RIVER SOCKEYE LIMIT?
Below Skilak Lake, sockeye 16 inches or longer are 6 per day and 12 in possession from June 20 to August 15, sockeye only, under the Kenai River late-run king salmon stock of concern management plan. From August 16 to June 19 the limit is 3 per day and 6 in possession, combined with chum and coho.
- Combined limits: “in combination” means one limit covers several species. ADF&G's example: 1 sockeye and 2 coho is legal, 3 sockeye and 2 coho is not.
- Middle river: open to sockeye from June 11; 3 per day and 6 in possession June 11–August 31, combined with chum, with no more than 2 coho.
- Russian River confluence: fly-fishing-only water from June 11 (and from July 15 in the sanctuary area at the mouth) to August 20, with its own sockeye and coho limits. See our Russian River fishing page.
- Snagging: intentionally snagging fish in fresh water is illegal. A fish hooked anywhere but the mouth must be released immediately.
For this season's sonar counts, see the Kenai River fishing report, and for technique, the Kenai River sockeye fishing guide.
COHO (SILVER) SALMON
WHAT IS THE KENAI RIVER COHO LIMIT IN 2026?
Two coho 16 inches or longer per day and two in possession for the whole 2026 season. The limit normally rises to three on September 1, but EO 2-SS-1-49-26 keeps it at two from September 1 through November 30, 2026, because of below-average coho returns across Cook Inlet.
- The 16-inch rule: a coho 16 inches or longer that is removed from the water must be kept and counts toward the bag limit of the angler who hooked it. Release a coho you don't want to keep without taking it out of the water.
- Seasons: coho may be kept from July 1. Fishing runs through November 30 from the mouth to Bing's Landing and through October 31 above Bing's Landing; the Russian River closes to coho after September 30. No coho may be kept December 1–June 30.
- After a limit: once you keep a bag limit of Kenai River coho, you may not fish the Kenai downstream of the Soldotna Bridge for the rest of that day.
KING (CHINOOK) SALMON
IS THE KENAI RIVER OPEN TO KING SALMON FISHING?
No. Both Kenai River king salmon fisheries were closed in 2026, including catch-and-release, because preseason forecasts were below the escapement goals.
- Early run: closed in the whole Kenai River drainage May 1–June 19, 2026 (EO 2-KS-1-8-26). The forecast was 2,325 large kings against an optimum escapement goal of 3,900–6,600.
- Late run: closed downstream of the Skilak Lake outlet June 20–August 15, 2026 (EO 2-KS-1-7-26). The forecast was 12,718 large kings against a recovery escapement goal of 14,250–30,000.
- Incidental kings: a king caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. During both closures only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure could be used.
- Middle river: closed to king salmon fishing year-round by regulation.
More on the run and the closures: Kenai River king salmon.
PINK SALMON, RAINBOW TROUT & DOLLY VARDEN
WHAT SIZE RAINBOW TROUT CAN YOU KEEP ON THE KENAI?
One rainbow or steelhead trout per day and one in possession, and it must be less than 16 inches long, on the mainstem from the mouth through the middle river. Dolly Varden and Arctic char have the same limit: 1 per day, under 16 inches.
- Big trout: any rainbow over 16 inches goes back. Rainbow and steelhead 20 inches or longer from Kenai River tributaries and other listed waters count against an annual limit of two that must be recorded.
- Spring closure: the middle river, and the lower river from about a mile above the Lower Killey River to Skilak Lake, are closed to all sport fishing May 1–June 10.
- Pink salmon: open year-round on the lower river; on the middle river the limit is 6 per day and 6 in possession.
Trout trips from the lodge: Kenai River rainbow trout.
HOOKS, BAIT & GEAR
CAN YOU USE BAIT ON THE KENAI RIVER?
Only from August 16 to November 30, and only from the mouth up to the Moose River confluence at about river mile 36.2. Everywhere else on the mainstem, and on that lower stretch the rest of the year, only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly is allowed.
| RIVER SECTION | DATES | GEAR ALLOWED |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth to Moose River (RM 0–36.2) | Jan. 1–Aug. 15 | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly |
| Mouth to Moose River (RM 0–36.2) | Aug. 16–Nov. 30 | Bait and multiple hooks allowed |
| Mouth to Moose River (RM 0–36.2) | Dec. 1–Dec. 31 | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly |
| Moose River to Skilak Lake (RM 36.2–50) | Year-round | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly |
| Middle river (Skilak Lake to Kenai Lake) | Year-round | One unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly, hook gap 3/8 in. or less |
- Beads: a bead fished ahead of a fly, lure or bare hook must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook or slide freely on the line.
- Landing fish: salmon may be landed only by hand or with a landing net. No gaffs.
- Tributary mouths: the Slikok Creek, Funny River, Moose River and Lower Killey River confluence areas have their own seasonal fly-only, single-hook and no-boat-fishing rules. See the booklet map pages.
GUIDES, BOATS & BANKS
WHEN CAN YOU FISH FROM A GUIDE BOAT ON THE KENAI?
From May 1 to July 31, downstream of the Skilak Lake outlet, guided sport fishing is allowed only Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays, except Memorial Day.
- Drift-boat Mondays: on Mondays May 1–July 31 (except Memorial Day), no one may fish from a boat with a motor on board below Skilak Lake. Motors may still carry anglers to the bank.
- August to November Mondays: August 1–November 30 (except Labor Day), all fishing from guide boats is closed on Mondays below the Moose River confluence, and coho fishing from guide boats is closed on Mondays from the Moose River up to Kenai Lake.
- Guide-boat limits: guides may not fish while clients are present, rods may not outnumber clients, and in July a guide boat fishing below Skilak Lake may carry no more than 5 people including the guide.
- Bank closures: from July 1 to August 15, marked stretches of riverbank are closed to fishing to protect habitat. You may still fish there from a boat more than 10 feet from shore.
- Motors: boats on most of the river must use four-stroke or direct-injection motors of 50 hp or less, and motors are prohibited year-round from Skilak Lake up to river mile 80.7 (Alaska State Parks rules).
Sources: ADF&G 2026 guiding regulations and 2026 Kenai River regulations.
LICENSES & RECORDS
DO YOU NEED A HARVEST RECORD ON THE KENAI RIVER?
Yes, whenever you keep a fish that has an annual limit, such as a king salmon 20 inches or longer or a rainbow trout 20 inches or longer from waters with an annual limit. Immediately after landing it, record the species, date and location on the harvest record on your license or on a harvest record card.
- Harvest record card: required for resident anglers under 18, nonresident anglers under 16, and PID/DV card holders.
- King salmon annual limit: 5 kings 20 inches or longer combined across Cook Inlet salt water, the Kenai River, the Kenai Peninsula and other listed areas.
- King stamp: residents 18 and older and nonresidents 16 and older need a king salmon stamp to fish for kings anywhere they are open.
Prices and where to buy: Alaska fishing license guide.
FAQ
KENAI RIVER REGULATIONS QUESTIONS
What are the Kenai River fishing regulations for 2026?
In 2026 king salmon fishing was closed on the Kenai River by emergency order, including catch-and-release. Sockeye 16 inches or longer are 6 per day and 12 in possession from June 20 to August 15 below Skilak Lake, and 3 per day and 6 in possession the rest of the year. The coho limit is 2 per day for the whole 2026 season because ADF&G cancelled the usual September increase to 3. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are 1 per day and must be under 16 inches.
Is king salmon fishing open on the Kenai River in 2026?
No. ADF&G closed the early-run king fishery in the whole Kenai River drainage from May 1 to June 19, 2026, and the late-run fishery downstream of the Skilak Lake outlet from June 20 to August 15, 2026. Catch-and-release was also closed; a king caught by accident may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Above Skilak Lake, the middle Kenai is closed to king fishing year-round by regulation.
What is the coho (silver) salmon limit on the Kenai River?
Two coho 16 inches or longer per day and two in possession. The limit normally rises to three on September 1, but ADF&G emergency order 2-SS-1-49-26 keeps it at two from September 1 through November 30, 2026. Coho fishing runs to November 30 from the mouth up to Bing’s Landing, and to October 31 above Bing’s Landing. A coho 16 inches or longer that you lift from the water must be kept and counts toward your limit.
Can you use bait on the Kenai River?
Only on part of the lower river and only late in the season. From the mouth to the Moose River confluence (about river mile 36.2), bait and multiple hooks are allowed August 16 to November 30. The rest of the year there, and year-round from the Moose River up to Skilak Lake and on the middle river, only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly is allowed.
Can guides fish on Sundays and Mondays on the Kenai River?
Not from May 1 to July 31 downstream of the Skilak Lake outlet. ADF&G closes guided sport fishing there on Sundays and Mondays (except Memorial Day) and allows it only Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays from May 1 to July 31 are also closed to fishing from any motorized boat below Skilak Lake, so Monday is a drift-boat day for everyone.
What size rainbow trout can you keep on the Kenai River?
One per day and one in possession, and it must be less than 16 inches long, on the mainstem from the mouth up through the middle river. Rainbow and steelhead 20 inches or longer from Kenai River tributaries count against a separate annual limit of two that must be recorded.
Do Kenai River regulations change during the season?
Yes. ADF&G changes limits, closes fisheries and opens them early by emergency order, and an emergency order overrides the printed booklet. Check the Northern Kenai emergency order list on the ADF&G website before every trip.
SOURCES
WHERE THESE RULES COME FROM
- ADF&G, 2026 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary: Kenai River
- ADF&G, 2026 Southcentral guiding regulations
- ADF&G, 2026 licensing and harvest record requirements
- ADF&G, 2026 Southcentral regional regulations (snagging, beads)
- EO 2-SS-1-49-26: Kenai River drainage coho limit remains at two fish
- EO 2-KS-1-8-26: Kenai River early-run king salmon sport fishery closed
- EO 2-KS-1-7-26: Kenai River late-run king salmon sport fishery closed
- ADF&G Northern Kenai emergency orders and announcements
- ADF&G Southcentral regulations booklet, all sections
Last reviewed October 2026. This page summarizes the regulations; the ADF&G booklet and current emergency orders are the legal text.
START PLANNING
FISH THE KENAI
WITH LOCAL GUIDES
Marlow's on the Kenai is a family-run lodge with four riverfront cabins on the Kenai River in Sterling, each with a kitchen and a private dock, plus a fish cleaning station. We coordinate guided trips with local guides who fish under these rules every day. Call to check dates or ask what is open during your trip.