The Kenai River, Alaska, in August 2003

The Kenai River, Alaska, in March 2007

The Kenai River is a river in the Kenai Peninsula of south central Alaska. It runs 132 km (82 miles) westward from Kenai Lake in the Kenai Mountains to its outlet into the Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean near Kenai, Alaska. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 427 pixelsFull resolution (1442 × 770 pixel, file size: 137 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture of Kenai Lake in Alaska. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 427 pixelsFull resolution (1442 × 770 pixel, file size: 137 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture of Kenai Lake in Alaska. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Kenai Peninsula in Alaska The Kenai Peninsula is a large peninsula jutting from the southern coast of Alaska in the United States. ... Official language(s) none Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area  Ranked 1st  - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 km²)  - Width 808 miles (1,300 km)  - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km)  - % water 13. ... The Kenai Mountains extends NE 192 km (120 mi) from the southern end of Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska. ... Cook Inlet, showing Knik and Turnagain Arms The Cook Inlet or Nuti Inlet is a large inlet of the Gulf of Alaska in south-central Alaska. ... Kenai is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. ...

The Kenai River is the most popular sport fishing destination in Alaska.^{[citation needed]} Each year there are two runs each of king salmon, silver salmon, red salmon, plus a run of pink salmon every other year. The world record king salmon, which weighed about 44 kg (97 lb), was caught in the Kenai River in 1985. The Kenai is also the home of trophy size rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Stretching to sizes over 76.2cm (30 inches). Fall fishing is very exceptional for fishing of Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. Occasionally there will be reports of catching of "Steelhead"(Sea-run Trout) . It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Angling. ... Binomial name Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum, 1792) The Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) - derived from the Greek words onkos (hook), rynchos (nose), is a species of Anadromous fish in the salmon family. ... Binomial name Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum, 1792) The Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch - from the Russian Kisutch - кижуч) is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. ... Binomial name Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum, 1792) Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), also called red salmon or blueback salmon, is an anadromous species of salmon found in the Pacific Ocean. ... Binomial name Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum, 1792) The pink salmon or humpback salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) (from the Russian gorbuscha--горбуша) is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. ... It has been suggested that Steelhead be merged into this article or section. ... Dolly Varden was a character in Charles Dickens novel Barnaby Rudge. ...

The king salmon fishery is not as prolific as in other Alaskan rivers, but the Kenai is known for its large fish. A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 40–50 pounds (18–23 kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. The "Lower Kenai" is notorious for its run and sizes of its king salmon.

The silver salmon runs occur in early August and late September. The September run is favored by local anglers due to the larger size of the silver salmon.

The red salmon runs are in mid-June (bluebacks) and mid-July. Reds are considered the premier salmon for eating, canning, and smoking.

The pink salmon run occurs in even numbered years only. These fish are considered pests by many anglers because they interfere with catching other species and because, by the time they reach inland freshwater, their meat may be soft and oily compared to other species. Nevertheless, using super-light tackle (e.g., 4-pound test), angling for pinks can be a real treat. On a heavy day, even a casual fisher might catch several dozen of the species.

Along with Kenai's fish, the Kenai River is home to some of the most beautiful wildlife. Which includes moose, bears, and multiple species of birds.