Upper Kenai River – Fishing Trips, Cooper Landing
The Upper Kenai River (Kenai Lake to Skilak Lake) can be broken down into two main river sections 1) Cooper Landing Bridge to Sportsman’s Landing/Russian River Ferry, and 2) Sportsman’s Landing/Russian River Ferry to Jim’s Landing.
The first of the two river sections, the “upper, upper,” is open to all guided operations and private anglers. It is a popular float with excellent site seeing and fishing holes. The upper, upper meanders through the town of Cooper Landing, past historical sites, and over some productive trout and salmon fishing zones. This river section also has a couple of class 2-3 whitewater rapids mixed in just for fun!
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Upper Kenai River
The second river section from Sportsman’s Landing/Russian River Ferry downstream to Jim’s Landing, covers a stretch of water that flows within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This section of river is only accessible to guides who hold a Kenai River Refuge Permit and private anglers. Tens of thousands of salmon return to this non-motorized section of the river each summer to spawn. This provides anglers with an excellent opportunity to harvest sockeye and silver salmon for their freezer.
Along with salmon, this section of the Upper Kenai River is also a hot spot for catching nice Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. These voracious feeders hone in on the salmon, gorge themselves on the rich salmon eggs, allowing them to grow to monstrous sizes!
When floating the Upper Kenai River it is common to fish from a drift boat, or to spread out on one of the many gravel beaches along the way to work the banks.
When the bite is on, this section is an anglers dream! If you get your fill of salmon fishing, just switch on over to trout, and prepare to get worked! Top that off with fantastic scenery and superb wildlife viewing, you won’t want to leave!
Cooper Landing – A Home Base for Fishing the Upper Kenai River
Looking for a place to stay while fishing the Upper Kenai River? Don’t pass up the quaint little town of Cooper Landing which is located at the headwaters of the Kenai River. Home to a small vibrant fishing community, Cooper Landing offers a variety of food, camping, and lodging options for visitors. Surrounded by majestic mountains, lush boreal forest, and striking glacial blue waters, Cooper Landing is renowned for its natural beauty, and the perfect home base for your Upper Kenai River adventure! Call Kenai River Trout Anglers today 907-599-0085, and book your Alaskan fishing trip of a lifetime!
Full-Day (8 hours) = $300 per person
