Fishing The Kenai River Flats
The Kenai River Flats is another easy fishing spot to get to from the city. Just a ten minute drive from the airport can bring you the opportunity for your record Alaska salmon.
Sunset On The Flats
Photo by Trina Marie Hall
FYI
Off road vehicles are not allowed on the flats.
From
Kenai, turn south on Bridge Access Road from the Arby’s on the Spur
Highway. After about 2.5 miles, the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge will be just past
the viewing pull out (with the binoculars mounted there, you can sometimes see caribou
crossing the flats). Immediately on the south side of the bridge, you will turn
onto the short access road and park for a fee of $5 for the day.
This day use only area has toilets and picnic tables available for a relatively comfortable day of fishing. That is if your day is only 6 hours long which is the max time limit for parking.
Caribou Crossing The Kenai River Flats
Photo by Trina Marie Hall
TIP
Approximately 1/2 mile west of the Kenai River Bridge (towards Kenai) is a scenic viewpoint with mounted binoculars that you can use to see the caribou that often make the flats their home for a time, various birds that migrate to the area and of course stunning views of Mt Redoubt.
Pros And Cons
The trade-offs here still make for the chance of a great fishing day.
- With less than a ten minute drive from the Kenai or Soldotna and right off the bridge access road, you certainly don’t need a day long drive or guide to get there. Or if you’ve forgotten anything or need to get anything (lunch?), it’s a very short drive to get loaded up.
- You can be fishing just a few yards from your vehicle if you need to go back and forth.
- You’re fishing right off the bank, all you need is your tackle!
Elbow To Elbow Salmon Fishing
Photo By Trina Marie Hall
- But, all of that ease of access comes with the potential of high people traffic. Depending on when you plan your trip, you may be elbow-to-elbow with other anglers and competing for the toilet and picnic tables. Tailgate party anyone!?
- The road is right in your ear. Sometimes you will literally be fishing right under the bridge. While it’s not exactly a freeway, the road noise can certainly take away from the fact that your fishing at one of the best spots in the world for salmon.
Check Out These Other Fishing Holes On The Kenai River
Fishing The Kenai River Flats
Have you fished the Kenai River Flats?
Everybody loves a good fishing story. If you've fished the Kenai River Flats, or have some other experience there, let us know!
(Up to four photos can be included. Each thumbnail is clickable, to show it as a larger image.)
Click Here For Airpark Real Estate!
Fishing Stories Told Here!
Do you have a fishing story from the Kenai River Flats? Well come on, let the lies begin!