Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Molly Dischner, of Anchorage, shows off a freshly caught coho salmon September 1, 2014 on the Kenai River.

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Molly Dischner, of Anchorage, shows off a freshly caught coho salmon September 1, 2014 on the Kenai River.

Fall fishing in full swing

  • By Rashah McChesney
  • Wednesday, September 17, 2014 10:52pm
  • NewsLocal News

As the days grow cooler and the last of the summer swell of tourists leave town, anglers looking for a calmer experience on Kenai Peninsula will still find plenty of opportunity for silver salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout and Arctic char and Dolly Varden.

Freshwater fishing

Traditional run timing shows coho salmon to be moving through inlet streams through October, while resident species of freshwater fish continue to provide opportunity for patient anglers.

Coho fishing is expected to be good in both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers through September, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while fishing conditions on the Kenai River have recently improved for rainbow trout.

Bait and treble hooks can be used while fishing in Skilak Lake and in the mainstem Kenai River from the Upper Killey River down to the mouth of the Kenai at Cook Inlet until the closure of coho salmon season Nov. 30.

On the Kasilof River, early morning fishing for coho salmon is usually the most successful, though anlgers are restricted to single-hook, no bait and artificial lures.

For anglers looking to target steelhead trout on the Kasilof River, chances of a catch are low, but the fishery is open. Steelhead may not be removed from the water before being released.

Marine fishing

Feeder king salmon can be targeted year round in Kachemak Bay, and popular spots include Point Pogibshi, Bluff Point, the islands around Eldred Passage and other spots on the south side of the bay, according to Fish and Game.

Halibut fishing is possible, but slows substantially in the fall season as larger halibut migrate further offshore.

Slack tide fishing for halibut is usually the best bet, according to Fish and Game, and using herring, octopus, squid or salmon heads works well for enticing the fish.

 

Rashah McChesney can be reached at rashah.mcchesney@peninsulaclarion.com

More in News

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof closes Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Most Read