The Kenai River and the Kasilof River are the main places to fish for king salmon on the Kenai Peninsula. The king salmon fishery in the lower Kenai River has never allowed bait, and artificial lures are only allowed in June. On the other hand, bait can be used in the Kasilof River from May 16th to July 31st. Changing rules all the time by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF) is a problem that keeps happening all over Alaska, but especially on the Kenai Peninsula.
When fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River is closed, there will usually be a no-bait, no-scent, artificial-lure-only order on the Kasilof River. This has been the norm rather than the exception over the last few years. I’m going to talk about some ways to catch king salmon when you can’t use bait or scent and only have artificial lures. I’ll mostly talk about the Kasilof River, which is where I work as a guide, but this is also true for other streams in Alaska.
I have worked as a sportfishing guide and outfitter on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers for more than 20 years, so I am used to the rule that you can only use artificial lures on the Kasilof. To catch king salmon for my clients, I’ve had to get creative with how and where to fish in some parts of the river. I won’t tell you everything I’ve learned over the years, but I will point you in the right direction so you can maybe be more successful and less frustrated. I like to say that to be successful, you need to have the right attitude; you don’t need bait to catch kings. They will bite baited and non-baited lures. Sure, it’s easier with bait or scents on your gear. But kings will still bite fake lures if bait isn’t allowed in the river where you’re fishing.
King salmon, also known as chinook salmon, are the largest and most prized salmon species for anglers Their immense size, brute strength, and delicious flavor make them a highly sought-after game fish Landing one of these majestic fish is a dream for many anglers. So where are the best places to catch a trophy-sized king salmon?
Kenai River, Alaska
The clear winner for king salmon fishing is Alaska’s legendary Kenai River. The Kenai River is close to the town of Soldotna. From May to July every year, big king salmon runs happen in the river. These fish average 20-40 pounds, with the largest exceeding 80 pounds.
Where the Moose River meets the Kenai River and runs for a mile is the best place to fish on the Kenai. Another great spot is the Soldotna River Walk, which goes through the middle of town. Anglers also have success at Bing’s Landing and the Kenai North Beach Access.
The Kenai sees heavy fishing pressure but the sheer volume of kings makes it possible to hook multiple fish in a day. Drift fishing with guides helps locate fish and patience is key for hooking these strong swimmers.
Columbia River, Washington/Oregon
Stretching over 1,200 miles from British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean, the mighty Columbia River offers outstanding king salmon fishing from spring through fall Kings averaging 20-40 pounds start entering the river in May, with peak action happening in June and July. By August, most fish are farther upriver
Buoy 10 at the river’s mouth, the shipping channel near Portland, and upriver near The Dalles are all popular places to fish. Trolling herring or large spinners works well, as does anchoring and casting spoons. Huge salmon runs happen in the Columbia, giving fishermen a great chance to catch a real crown prince.
Sacramento River, California
While not as famous as Alaska and the Columbia River, California’s Sacramento River boasts impressive king salmon fishing from July through December each year. These fish range from 15-25 pounds on average, with the largest reaching 60+ pounds.
The best section is between Red Bluff and Redding, where drifting roe/prawn combos produces excellent results. Jigs, spoons and spinners will also entice aggressive strikes from king salmon here. The peak is during August and September.
Lake Michigan, Michigan
Believe it or not, Lake Michigan offers outstanding king salmon fishing from May through early July each year. These salmon average 15-25 pounds, with some massive fish over 40 pounds caught each season. The lake has a very healthy king population thanks to ongoing stocking efforts.
The best areas to catch kings are near river mouths along the eastern shoreline from Ludington up to Manistee. Slow trolling with divers and flashers in 50-80 feet of water produces steady action. Jigging and casting crankbaits near piers is also effective. Anything over 20 pounds here is considered a trophy catch.
Klamath River, California
While smaller than the Sacramento River kings, the Klamath River in northern California sees impressive salmon runs from July through October. These kings average 10-20 pounds, with 30+ pound monsters caught each year. The salmon gather in deep pools and slots between swift rapids.
Drift fishing roe or back-bouncing roe bags through the holes is highly effective for hooking kings here. The best sections are upriver between Happy Camp and Orleans. The Klamath is remote but offers outstanding wilderness salmon fishing opportunities.
Fraser River, British Columbia
Winding over 850 miles through British Columbia, the Fraser River is one of the most productive salmon rivers on earth. It sees staggering king salmon runs from August to September each year as these fish push towards their spawning grounds.
The kings average 15-30 pounds here, with some massive specimens over 50 pounds caught each season. The best fishing is upriver near Williams Lake and Prince George. Anglers backbounce roe bags or drift float rigs to entice aggressive strikes from these hard-fighting kings.
Tips for Catching Trophy Kings
-
Use stout tackle – king salmon require heavy rods, reels and line (20-50lb test)
-
Try large bait like whole herring, octopus or salmon roe
-
Slow troll at 1-2 mph with flashers and dodgers
-
Target slots and holes in rivers; offshore structure in lakes
-
Fish early and late when kings are most active
-
Keep adjusting depths and locations until you find biters
-
Stay patient – a single giant king is worth several hours of effort
With their tremendous size, fighting power and unbeatable flavor, king salmon are a prize worth pursuing. Whether battling kings in the raging rapids of Alaska’s Kenai River or drifting the deep tule lines of California’s Sacramento, landing one of these giants is a fishing achievement you’ll remember forever. Follow this guide to trophy king success!
Pick the right fishing spot
First, I like to find a place where the river I’m fishing will have less people fishing in it. It is tough to catch kings if you fish in the same places as everyone else and use the same general setups. So, I prefer to fish areas where I am not competing with a bunch of other anglers. You may still have to fish with other people, but it’s better to have a few spots where not a lot of gear is moving through them.
Technique is the second thing to think about. This could mean backtrolling, float fishing, drifting gear, or casting some kind of lure. Have rods set up for multiple techniques so you can change techniques if one isn’t working. The same method can be used several times in the same spot. On the next run through the same hole, you can change it, which can sometimes get a bite. Even making a small change can make a big difference when everyone is using the same thing.
Monster 43lb King Salmon! Epic Battle! Salmon Fishing – Juneau, Alaska! JUNE 2020
FAQ
Where is the best place to catch King Salmon?
Where is King Salmon caught?
What states have King Salmon?
Can you catch King Salmon in California?
How to catch king salmon?
Tackle selection is certainly a very important factor to determine your success. Generally, we do not recommend going light to catch king salmon unless your sure that you set the drag correctly. Instead, the better way is to use specific tackle that is made for the species or you can even try a surf fishing rod or big catfish stick.
Which river in Alaska has the best king salmon fishing?
The Kenai River in Alaska provides the best king salmon fishing in the world. The king (chinook) salmon that migrate up the Kenai River every summer and fall are so large that the local government uses a different scale to define trophy size salmon in this river.
How do you catch salmon in the Great Lakes?
The fly guys use a technique called “chuck & duck”. This is a long leader with 2 flys attached with some weight, the line drifts into the fishes mouth and you snag it right in the chops. Salmon will bite when they enter the river, out of anger. Can confirm floating skein is very effective in the Great Lakes watershed.