The unofficial start of the 2026 fishing season kicked off on June 11 with the Kenai River Trout Opener, and it did not disappoint.
Explore Kenai guide Dustin Voss was joined by three Soldotna locals fishing with him for the first time. The group launched our 20-foot Willie Drift Boat from Skilak Lake at 5:00 a.m., making the run across the lake and into the Kenai River just before a thick layer of fog completely settled over the water. Boats launching later in the morning faced much more challenging conditions as visibility on the lake quickly disappeared.
Once on the river, the group waited for the official 6:00 a.m. opener before putting lines in the water at the popular Dunes fishing hole. It didn’t take long to find success, with several bright chrome rainbow trout coming to hand on black zuddler patterns.
After spending time at the Dunes, the crew moved downstream and joined the rest of the fleet making laps through Super Hole in the drift-only section of the Kenai River. Throughout the morning, anglers enjoyed steady action and witnessed plenty of trout being caught up and down the river.
Water conditions were excellent for opening day. The Kenai was exceptionally clear. While the morning started cold and damp in the fog, the weather transformed into a classic Alaska bluebird day once the sun burned through. By late morning, sunscreen was a necessity.
Boat traffic was heavy, with drift boats spread throughout the river above the Swan Sign closure. However, lower water levels limited the number of power boats operating farther downstream, creating a more enjoyable experience for many anglers in drift boats.
Our boat landed plenty of trout throughout the day, with the largest fish measuring approximately 24 inches.
Beyond the trout action, reports from the upper Kenai River near the Russian River were equally encouraging. Anglers willing to put in the time were finding sockeye salmon, and several limits were reported throughout the opener. Early run numbers are significantly ahead of last year, with 3,366 sockeye salmon counted through the Russian River weir as of June 13, compared to just 656 fish on the same date in 2025. Those numbers are an encouraging sign for anglers planning a trip to the Russian River or upper Kenai River in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, anglers can expect more sockeye salmon to continue pushing into the Kenai River and making their way toward the Russian River. As those numbers build over the coming weeks, opportunities for limits should continue to improve.
If you’re planning a Kenai River trout or sockeye salmon trip this summer, now is the time to get on the calendar. The season is officially underway, and fishing is only going to get better from here. Book Today.
