Upstream from the hustle and bustle of the salmon fishery well downstream, the upper Kenai River is seemingly in another world. Nestled below the nearby Kenai Mountains, this stretch of river offers anglers some of Alaska's best catch-and-release trout fishing.

The upper Kenai River

Anglers can expect football-shaped trout averaging around 16 or 17 inches and sometimes push 30 inches or more. Fly fishing or spin tackle anglers can do equally as well, you decide how you want to fish for these beautiful resident Alaskan trout.

Upriver Kenai trout trips are driftboat-based. This allows anglers to fully enjoy the many splendors of the sometimes surreal surroundings.

Upper Kenai Guide Andy (with nearly 20 years of guiding experience on these waters) with a magnificent Rainbow Trout.

During certain timeframes, anglers may also encounter both sockeye and silver salmon as well. While Rainbows and Dollies are strictly catch-and-release, anglers may retain these salmon species throughout most of the summer. Your guides for these upriver Kenai trips specialize on these waters. The permits to fish this area are quite limited and the guides often book early, so be sure to try to call well in advance to reserve your dates.