When you’re fishing with Explore Kenai, you’ll see us use catch and release techniques for our world-famous, Kenai River rainbow trout for several reasons:

Conservation: Rainbow trout are a valuable natural resource and an important part of the Kenai River ecosystem. Catch and release techniques help to protect the population of rainbow trout by allowing them to reproduce and grow in numbers.
Sustainable Fishing: The Kenai River is a popular destination for recreational fishing, and the catch and release policy helps to maintain a sustainable fishery by ensuring that there are enough fish for everyone to enjoy.
Catch and Release Regulations: Catch and release regulations have been implemented by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to ensure that the rainbow trout population is conserved for future generations. These regulations specify that only one (1), 16 inch or less rainbow trout can be kept per day. Although, this is the ADF&G regulation, we are catch & release 100%. No retention of rainbow trout on the river.
Ethical Fishing: Catch and release fishing is considered to be a more ethical and humane method of fishing. It allows anglers to enjoy the sport of fishing without causing unnecessary harm to the fish.

To catch these beautiful fish and then release them back into the water unharmed, we follow these basic steps:

Use the Right Equipment: When fishing for rainbow trout on the Kenai River, it’s important to use the right equipment to ensure that the fish are not injured. Use a rod, reel, and line that is appropriate for the size of the fish you are targeting.
Handle the Fish with Care: When you catch a fish, try to keep it in the water as much as possible. Wet your hands before touching the fish, and hold it gently to avoid injuring it. Do not squeeze the fish or put your fingers in its gills.
Remove the Hook Quickly: Use a pair of pliers or a hook removal tool to remove the hook from the fish’s mouth as quickly as possible. If the hook is deep in the fish’s throat, cut the line as close to the hook as possible instead of trying to remove it.
Release the Fish: Once you have removed the hook, gently place the fish back in the water and hold it by the tail until it is ready to swim away on its own. Make sure that the fish is fully revived and able to swim before releasing it.

By following these steps, Explore Kenai (www.explorekenai.net) and their clients can enjoy fishing for rainbow trout on the Kenai River, while also helping to protect the fish population. This is more important than ever with the recent King Salmon closure in 2023. Due to no king fishery, more pressure will be placed on the rainbow trout.s we will see you again in the future.

Author
Recent Posts

Dallas Voss

Owner/Fishing Guide/Trip Planner at Explore Kenai

Dallas Voss is the owner and a guide of Explore Kenai, a woman-owned fishing guide service based on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. A lifelong Kenai resident, Dallas has spent decades fishing the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers and is passionate about helping anglers experience Alaska's world-class salmon and trout fisheries. She is a United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain, Trout Unlimited Kenai River Ambassador, and was recognized as one of the nation's top fly fishing guides in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.