Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska I'm going to Kenai, Alaska....

I'm a safety manager for a turnaround group and we have a work project that will run all of April and half of May this year, so I volunteered to go. I am blessed to have traveled a good chunk of the planet but I have never been to Alaska. I know there's a lot of experience here so I'm seeking advise on how to make the most of my time there. While the project is running, I'll put in 13 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there will be no playtime to speak of. Once the job ends however, my time is mine to do as I wish for pretty much as long as I want.

For starters, I am thinking that my best bet is to fly into Anchorage and rent my vehicle that I will use for the duration of my time there and then drive into Kenai. I will need lodging for 2 in Kenai for a month and a half, as my fiancé will accompany me on the trip. Any suggestions in this area are welcome.

I am told that the fishing and sightseeing on the Kenai peninsula are outstanding. I'm looking forward to this trip, which I feel will likely lead to another. I'd love to make a hunt there.

Thanks in advance for your input.
Jeff

Your timing is perfect for a spring black bear hunt. Get with Ironbender as soon as possible... he always has beer...

eulachon (hooligan) will be running. Always good for a laugh and one meal a year. Kenai is far less muddy than dipping them in 20 Mile.

Reliably, on May 10 the birches will have leaf buds. Some years they have them a week earlier. Makes a difference because leaves will make it a lot harder to spot bears. All tags are OTC at the last minute.

I was there a couple years ago, you'll enjoy the drive from Anchorage, good hiking near Skilak lake. I think there's only black bears on the peninsula but the locals can confirm that, still, I always carried a sidearm when hiking.

Pizza & Beer at St. Elias (Soldotna) is always a must IMO. Lots of neat places over in Kenai to see-----Like the old Russian Orthodox church & having lunch up on the bluff over looking the Kenai River. Not to mention watching all the dip netters in July for the "reds"

Only little, tiny Black Bears (they crave being petted) No Alaska Coastal Brown Bears. Those things that resemble Grizzly Bears are actually Ground Hogs, and they are cute, and like to be petted also.




Just KIDDING.

I've only been to Alaska 3 times, and the last time was over about 15 years ago, so my experience is limited and somewhat dated but I can tell you there are Grizzly or coastal or whatever you want to call them bears on the peninsula. I saw a kill site near Clam Gulch just off the Sterling Highway that looked like the moose was blown up with a grenade. I also was warned by a local another time about one in the area when I was hiking in the pre dawn darkness to a fishing hole to catch the rising tide for Kings. The locals will call each other when one is spotted in the area to give warnings. Met a guy that scared one off that was going for one of his pigs, so yeah they are there. You also have to respect the cow moose that are about to drop calves too. They can be mean biatches if you corner one and don't give them a respectful amount of room.

I spent most of my time between Soldatna and Homer with side trips to Seward up around Turnagain Arm and one time all the way north past Anchorage up to Denali. I've never gone that early in the season so I can't comment on first hand fishing opportunities but I would guess that Halibut fishing would be good just about anytime. Kings come in a little later if I remember correctly.

I'm sure others can give you better information, especially someone local. If you can bring a firearm, you should.

Must be The old Tesoro refinery as “Colliers” (lol) is no longer operating.

Send a PM.

Sonuva…

Negative, Bob. We have both.

St. Elias always seems to be busy in the summer. I don’t understand it. Their pizza isn’t too bad, but the rest of the food left me unimpressed. Their beer is second tier, IMO.

FAR BETTER, is Kenai River Brewing (KRB) just a quarter mile from there. Very good beer and food.

ironbender, good to know, thanks!

I remember a bakery on the main highway near Soldotna, old school, like homemade, cant' remember the name but it was outstanding.

Moose is loose. Unfortunately the original owners sold out and it's nowhere near the same quality. I'm not even sure it's still open.

The bakery is gone and the building has recently been taken over by what looks to be a construction company.

Second what Ironbender said. And if you get to wanting a good burger or fish sandwich in Kenai you got to try the Burger Bus. Just be prepared to wait in line as they are busy in the summer.

I remember a place called Jersey Subs, both the shops and the bus out on the turnoff on Sterling. Was excellent hoagies and cheesesteaks run by a guy named Chris. He was pretty cool, his girlfriend was a bug eyed banshee though.

Had my halibut processed at Tanners, Salmon smoked at Tustumena Smoke House and used Irish Lord Charters owned by a guy named "Big Bill" I think. That's all I can remember.

Anybody know if any of these are still around?

Jersey subs is still around and making good food. I think Tustumena Smoke House is still going but I am not sure about the others.

You wont be alone on the Kenai P in the summer!

Not much chance for salmon in April and May in the Kenai. You could run into some decent rainbow fishing and some Dolly Vardens. A early charter off Deep Creek is possible for halibut.

Not a problem as he is working April and May. Then doing his thing as long as he wants after that. Won't have any spare time in April and at least half of May.