★★★★★
135+ Google 5-star reviews · 80+ Tripadvisor reviews · #2 of 10 outdoor activities in Sterling
Guided fishing trips on the Kenai River
Private trips from
$800
a boat
Guided sockeye, king and silver salmon and rainbow trout fishing on Alaska’s Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, out of Sterling. Book a private boat for up to 4 anglers or a seat on a shared boat, with rods, reels, tackle and bait provided.
✓
Private boats or shared seats
✓
Rods, tackle & bait provided
✓
Kids & first-timers welcome
Half Day
4 hrs · private boat
from
$800
per boat
Full Day
7 hrs · private boat
$1,400
per boat
Shared Seat
Join a shared boat
from
$250
per person
Based in Sterling, Alaska
Kenai River
Guide Service
Kenai River Cowboys is a full-service guide service on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, out of Sterling, Alaska, 15 minutes from Soldotna and 2½ hours from Anchorage. We bring a bit of western service to the river and target sockeye, king and silver salmon, trophy rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
2 rivers
Kenai & Kasilof
Up to 4
anglers per boat
Shared
seats from $250
Private boats & shared seats
Kenai River
Fishing Trips
Book the whole boat for your group of up to 4, or a seat on a shared boat from $250 per person. Rods, reels, tackle and bait included.
Most time on the water
Full Day
Fishing Trips
$1,400
per boat
7 hours · up to 4 anglers · Kenai River
Seven hours gives your guide time to fish more of the river and go after more than one species. Good for experienced anglers and first-timers alike, and your guide makes sure you have everything you need.
Best for: Filling the cooler and chasing more than one species
Short on time?
Half Day
Fishing Trips
From $800
per boat
4 hours · up to 4 anglers · Kenai River
Four hours on the river for tight travel schedules. Target one species, or fish whatever is running with a guide who knows where it’s holding.
Best for: Families, first-timers and tight travel schedules
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Boat or seat
Private boats or shared seats
✓
Gear provided
Rods, reels, tackle, bait
✓
Take your catch home
Filleted for the cooler
✓
Give a trip
Gift certificates, any amount
From Tripadvisor & Google
What Anglers Say
★★★★★
Been fishing in Alaska for over 30 years. One of the best days river fishing was with this outfitter. We hired two boats for our private party. Nick and Mark were excellent guides.
Doreen Toller
Private party · two boats
★★★★★
Our family of 5 had an excellent adventure with Captain Mark on the Kasilof River fishing for King salmon! Captain Mark kept our spirits and energy up even during the wet weather.
Allyn S.
Tripadvisor · Kasilof kings
★★★★★
Neither my husband nor I had fished for salmon before and he helped us get the hang of things quickly. We ended up catching 10 sockeyes.
Shauna Jones
Google review · Kenai River
Recent days on the water
Three salmon runs every summer · swipe
Alaska Salmon
Fishing Trips
Same trips, same prices. Your guide targets whatever is running.
Sockeye Salmon
Peak: last 2 weeks of July
Fast action and the best-tasting salmon on the river. Thousands run upstream every summer.
King Salmon
Runs: late May through July
Kings run on the Kasilof, a quieter river 30 minutes from Sterling. Most are 20 to 50 pounds.
Silver Salmon
Peak: late summer into fall
Acrobatic, feisty and often rolling in big pods along the banks.
Join the 30 inch club
Kenai River
Rainbow Trout
Kenai rainbows grow big feeding on salmon eggs through late summer and fall. At peak times our guests get regular shots at fish over 30 inches, all caught and released.
Best time
Fall bead bite
Also biting
Dolly Varden
Style
Catch & release
Before you hit the river
Plan Your Day
Where to meet, what we provide, and what to pack. Everything you need for a smooth day on the water.
1
Where we meet
38237 Kenai Drive in Sterling, Alaska. Kasilof River launch details come with your booking.
2
Trip lengths
Kenai half days run 4 hours and full days 7. Kasilof trips run 6. Open start times show in the booking calendar.
3
We provide
Rods, reels, tackle and bait for every angler, and we fillet your catch.
4
You bring
Warm, waterproof layers and boots (it is colder on the water), snacks and drinks, and your Alaska fishing license.
Getting to Sterling
Anchorage (ANC)
2 hr 30 min
Cooper Landing
45 min
Sterling · home base
Soldotna
15 min
Kenai (ENA)
25 min
Kasilof River
30 min
Local guides, western service
Meet Our Team
Nick Collins
Lead guide · Washington State
Mark Marum
4th year guide · Grew up in Alaska
Ryan Byrne
Guide · Veteran
Sam Collins
2nd year guide · Washington State
Best times to fish
When to Come
Run timing shifts year to year. Call the crew for this season’s outlook.
Species
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
King Salmon
Early run late May, bigger run in July
Sockeye Salmon
Best: last two weeks of July
Silver Salmon
Peaks late summer into fall
Rainbow Trout & Dollies
Fall bead bite brings the giants
In season
Peak
Good to know
Before You Book
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, if you are 16 or older: an Alaska sport fishing license, plus a king salmon stamp if you fish for kings. Buy both online from Alaska Fish & Game before your trip.
What is included?
A guide and boat, plus rods, reels, tackle and bait. At the end of the day your guide fillets your catch so it is ready for the cooler.
How much does a guided trip cost?
Private Kenai River trips start at $800 per boat for a half day and $1,400 for a full day, for up to 4 anglers. Shared seats start at $250 per person.
Where do we meet?
Kenai River trips meet at 38237 Kenai Drive in Sterling. Kasilof River launch details come with your booking confirmation.
Which river do you fish?
Both. Kenai River trips leave from our home base in Sterling. Kasilof River trips run 6 hours, about 30 minutes south. Your guide picks the river that is fishing best for your dates.
Are beginners and kids welcome?
Yes. Plenty of our guests have never fished for salmon, and families with young kids fish with us every summer. Your guide teaches everything on the water.
When is the best time to come?
For sockeye, the last two weeks of July. For big rainbows, fall, when trout feed on drifting salmon eggs (the “bead bite”). Kasilof king trips start in mid-May.
How far is Sterling from Anchorage?
About 2 hours 30 minutes by car. Sterling is 15 minutes from Soldotna and 25 minutes from Kenai Municipal Airport.
Give the gift of the Kenai
Buy a gift certificate Book your day on the Kenai
Ready to Fish
the Kenai?
Pick your date online or call and talk to the crew. Private boats for up to 4 or shared seats, all gear included.
Trip rates
Half Day
4 hours · private boat
From $800
Full Day
7 hours · private boat
$1,400
Shared Seat
per person
From $250
Boats take up to 4 anglers. Rods, reels, tackle and bait included.