Kenai Fishing Company Frequently Asked Questions

Capt. Greg and Kenai Fishing Company want you to enjoy your time on the water with us. To help out, we’ve included answers to our most frequently asked questions below. Of course, if you don’t find the answer to your question, we’d be happy to chat with you! Feel free to email us from our contact page, or give us a call at: (907) 912-0114

What type of fishing charters do you offer?

Kenai Fishing Company offers fully guided river charters for Salmon and Trout in both power boats and drift (row) boats. We also offer fly-out (float plane) and ocean charters.

When and where will we meet?

Your guide will determine where they are fishing based on recent success and information from the afternoon before your trip.

Your guide will contact you directly to discuss meet up time and provide you with a map of the meet up location.

We ask that you be at the boat launch and ready to step on the boat at the predetermined time. Note that being late can negatively affect the success of your trip, as this fishery can be very competitive at times.

Where do your charters take place and how do I get there?

Most of our fishing trips are conducted within a 15-minute drive of Soldotna, Alaska.

Ocean charters range from 30-90 minutes from Soldotna depending on your trip.

Prior to your charter, your guide will speak with you and provide detailed directions and a map to the appropriate meeting spot for your trip. We’ll also confirm the time to meet for your charter during the call.

What happens if we have to cancel?

Trips may be cancelled up to 60 days prior to the scheduled trip for a full refund. Any cancellations less than 60 days prior to the trip or no-shows will forfeit full payment of trip. Your guide has the right to cancel a trip, at any time, due to bad weather, unsafe conditions, or mechanical issues.

If the trip is cancelled by the guide for any reason, you will receive a FULL refund. If unforeseeable conditions arise requiring cancellation your guide will try to reschedule or find other options to get you on the water.

What if it rains or there's bad weather?

Alaska weather can be cold, wet, and windy sometimes. Rain is not a valid reason to cancel a trip. If fishing conditions are determined unsafe or unfishable by the guide your trip will be rescheduled or you will receive a FULL refund.

Can we keep the fish we catch?

Yes, we can keep some of the fish we catch, however there are limits in-place.

These limits can be change based on run size as determined by Alaska Fish and Game but most often are as follows:

Sockeye salmon – 3 fish per person limit and frequently gets raised to 6 mid way through the season
Silver salmon – 2 per person during August and then goes up to 3 per person in September.
Hatchery King salmon – 1 or 2 per person depending on abundance as determined by Fish and Game.
All WILD origin King Salmon are catch and release only. We are dedicated to conservation with these magnificent and genetically unique fish and only support catch and release when fishing for them.
All Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are catch and release only.

What are my options for lodging?

There are several options for lodging in the Kenai area including Airbnb, VRBO, hotels/motels and lodges.

Accommodations range from basic hotel properties to luxury lodges and everything in between. We are happy to help you find appropriate lodging that meets your needs!

When is the best time to come?

This is one of the most common questions we get asked and it’s very difficult to answer.

Before you book a trip, we will speak with you and discuss your trip goals. Whether you are looking to take home a bunch of fish, catch the biggest fish of your life or just catch and release fish – we can make sure you book a charter during the correct season to meet your goals.

For run timing please refer to fish by month calendar.

How do I get to Soldotna from Anchorage?

Soldotna is a 2 ½ hour drive from Anchorage. You will need to rent a vehicle and drive.

Be sure to leave plenty of time if you are arriving the day of your fishing trip, as summer construction and busy roads can add time to your trip.

Most of our trips start very early in the morning, so we highly recommend arriving to Soldotna the day before your charter.

As an option, you can fly from Anchorage to Soldotna on a quick 30-minute flight – but you’ll need to rent a vehicle when you arrive so you have transportation around town and to the boat launches.

What is a common gratuity/tip?

The industry standard for gratuities/tips is 15-25% of the price of your charter. We put this here to help inform anglers as we get this question very frequently, any gratuity is greatly appreciated.

Anything else I need to know before booking?

We ask that before booking you carefully review our website to be sure and book the trip that best suits your goals to avoid any dissatisfaction. Our website clearly lists seasons and species caught during those seasons as well as a description of fishing methods used. The last thing we want is unhappy anglers or anyone to book a trip that doesn’t meet their goals or fit their fishing style. If you have any questions prior to booking, please fe0el free to reach out to us so we can answer any questions you may have.

Do we need fishing licenses?

ALL anglers need a current fishing license, except for kids under 16 (they don’t need a fishing license). Alaska residents do not need a fishing license until age 18.

If you are fishing for King Salmon, you will need a King Salmon stamp as well. Please do not purchase a King Salmon stamp until it is confirmed that your dates will be open for King Salmon fishing. You must always have a paper or digital copy of your license while fishing.

You can buy your Alaska fishing license here. (https://store.adfg.alaska.gov/)

Can we bring alcohol on the charter?

Yes. We just ask that you drink responsibly and leave the glass containers at home.

What does the trip include?

The guide will provide all fishing equipment including rods, reels, bait etc.
Hip boots are provided for trips that require wading however, we recommend that you bring waders if you have them.
Upon completion of your trip – the guide will fillet any fish retained and bag them for transport.
Your guide will discuss options and locations for you to have your fish processed for transported home (vacuum sealing, flash freezing and boxing).

What does the trip NOT include?

Transportation to and from boat launch
Food and Beverage
Fish Processing (vacuum seal and box)
Fishing License and stamps (Licenses and Permits, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Rain gear
Gratuities – A common industry standard is 15-25% of the price of your charter.

What should we bring for our charter?

ALL anglers need a current fishing license, except for nonresident kids under 16 and Alaskan residents under 18 (they don’t need a fishing license). If fishing for King Salmon, you will need a King Salmon stamp as well. Do not purchase a King Salmon stamp until it is confirmed that your dates will be open for King Salmon.

Anglers should bring any food and beverages you’ll need to make your trip more enjoyable. Alcohol is allowed on the boat; we just ask that you use common sense.

Warm clothes and rain gear are a MUST when applicable. It’s very important to be prepared for all weather conditions.

We’ll provide you with a gear list upon booking – to help you prepare and bring appropriate gear for your trip.

Details About Charters & Rates

Boat Maximums: Boat maximum is 4 anglers, parties of less than 4 may be mixed with others if boat is not full. During July we can accommodate up to 5 anglers as we are not fishing out of the boat and only use it for transportation to and from the fishing site.

For groups of less than 4 anglers that aren’t looking to mix with other groups and want a more private experience can book a private charter.

How to Reserve a Trip: A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservations. A local sales tax of 6% will be added to all fishing trips. Trips can be cancelled or rescheduled 60 days prior to the scheduled date of trip for refund of deposit. All other deposits are non-refundable. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the scheduled trip date.

Any trips booked within 60 days of the trip must be paid in full to reserve the trip.

Kenai Fishing Company accepts cash, check, and credit card as payment. A 3% charge will be added to all credit card transactions.

We offer a 5% discount to active military, veterans, first responders and law enforcement. We want to thank you for your service.

Guided Adventures Starting at: $250

World-Class Salmon Fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Alaska!

Call: (907) 912-0114

What Our Guests Have to Say

Had a blast fishing with Greg.Great guide with lots of knowledge.

Courtney Norman

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Greg has been my guide twice. Once in Alaska and then in Washington. Greg is so professional and knows where to find salmon. He really knows how to set up a hook. He is a friendly helpful person and knows his rivers and salmon. I would go out with him a third time.

Carol Watkins

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