Jim Rusk Fishing – Kenai River Fishing Guide

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If you’re in need of a professional fishing guide here on the Kenai Peninsula, we’ve got you covered.

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Kenai River Fishing

Fishing on the Kenai Peninsula
Learn why everyone is coming to the Kenai Peninsula to fish for the famous Kenai River King, and find out about the area.
Kenai Fishing

Fishing Guides Report

Your inside look on the river
Find out whats happening on the Kenai River, Kasilof River and other fishing locations from a professional Kenai River fishing guide.
Fishing Report

Welcome from Kenai River Fishing Guide Jim Rusk. If you are looking for a first class Kasilof River or Kenai River fishing trip in Alaska this summer, you have come to the right spot. The Kenai River is located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in the south-central region of Alaska. We are located in Soldotna, an excellent town to use as a base for your fishing trip. We’ve been guiding anglers from all over the world since 1987 on the Kenai River and Kasilof River.  We specialize in fishing for King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout and Halibut.

Lake Trout
Arctic Char
Silver Salmon Kenai River
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Early June - King Salmon

A typical King in the first run, beginning in early-june, weighs 40 pounds. The “Lower Kenai” is well known for its run and sizes of its king salmon.

Late June - Red Salmon

The red salmon runs are towards the end of June and late-July. Red salmon are considered the premier salmon for eating, canning, and smoking

Mid July - King Salmon

A typical King in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 40 pounds. The “Lower Kenai” is well known for its run and sizes of its king salmon.

Early August - Silver Salmon

The silver salmon runs starts in early August and continues till sometime in october.

  • About Us
  • Equipment
  • Charters
  • Rivers
  • Fish
  • Extra Fun

About Jim Rusk Fishing Alaska

I am a Lifetime Alaskan, born in Soldotna Alaska. I have fished the Kenai River and other local Alaska waters my entire life.  We have top of the line boats and equipment, and First Class service.  Our rates are very competitive.  We offer Full Day and 1/2 Day Kenai River Fishing charters.

We offer fishing trips for a variety of salmon, trout on the Kenai River and the Kasilof River in Alaska.

Rainbow Trout is one of my favorite trips that I offer as a fishing guide. The Kenai River has world class trout fishing and each fall the fishing lives up to its reputation as one of the best Rainbow Trout fisheries in the world.

Kenai and Kasilof Rivers Fishing Equipment – Only the Best

  • At Jim Rusk Fishing we use top quality, proven fishing equipment.
  • Fishing the Kenai River and the Kasilof River demands the use of High Quality Boats.
  • Fishing the Kenai River and the Kasilof River demands the very best fishing equipment.  At Jim Rusk Fishing
  • We spare no expense to ensure you fish  and with the very best!  We use Willie Boats. They are hand crafted fishing machines.

Guiding Fishing Charters

We can customize a Guided Fishing Trip just for you. We can also help you get the lodging that best meets the needs of you and your party. Customer service is our number one priority when we guide anglers that visit the Kenai peninsula. We do whatever it takes to make sure you will have the best experience possible while fishing with us.

If you are not catching fish, not much else matters. With Jim Rusk Fishing Kenai Fishing Guide you are guaranteed fishing with only the best  guides that have years and years of experience.

 

I encourage anyone coming to Alaska Kenai Peninsula to please check references on whomever you choose to go with.  We have an extensive repeat clientele and can provide customer names and phone numbers from all over the country. 

Kenai River Fishing

The Kenai is a glacier fed river that has been undergoing a cycle of water level changes for millions of years. It’s a river that drains the glaciers of the central Kenai Peninsula region.

Kasilof River Fishing

Drift Boat fishing in a big Willie boat is a must-do on a fishing trip to Alaska. Anglers come to the Kenai Peninsula to catch big King Salmon and big Silver Salmon.

Alaska Fishing

The Kenai River is the most popular sport fishing destination in Alaska, particularly for King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon. Each year we have two runs each of King Salmon, Silver Salmon, red salmon, plus a run of pink salmon every second year. Occasionally there will be reports of catches of Steelhead Trout.

Alaska Wild Life

The Kenai peninsula, home to the famous Kenai River and Kasilof River, has as much Alaska wildlife as any region of Alaska. And Alaska is famous for its abundance of wild life . While fishing we have seen moose, bear,  eagles, beavers, cranes, ducks and every wild creature of Alaska.  The two rivers are most famous for salmon and trout fishing ,but you can encounter many types of wildlife while fishing and visiting this wonderful region of Alaska. 

Customer Fishing Testimonials

“Good fortune to be introduced to a young Kenai River fishing guide in Soldotna by the name of Jim Rusk. On that summer afternoon he put us onto a large number of fish. He had been fishing the river since he was a young child and knew of areas where fish were holding that other boats"
Don JorgensenNH
I searched and interviewed several Kenai River fishing guides. Then I met Jim Rusk, Kenai fishing guide and hired him. Fishing with him every day he showed me that my confidence was not misplaced. Our boat consistently caught more King Salmon than other boats on the river. We caught several King Salmon that were 50 pounds or more, including mine that was 62 pounds
David AltrowitzMN
Before September of 2012, fishing in Alaska had been a dream of mine. I finally scheduled a trip to Alaska, found Jim on the internet, and we scheduled a week in September to fish for silvers. Jim was the first guide to return my call and I’m glad he was! I fished with Jim for a week on both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers and Jim always worked hard to put us on the fish. He was a great guide with an intimate knowledge of both the kenai and the kasilof rivers and had great relationships with the other local guides which was very helpful. Despite unusually slow fishing conditions – and this was the general consensus among the guides and locals – we caught our limit every day but one and did so when other guides could not. Jim was friendly, courteous, very professional and respectful, and best of all he clearly took his guiding work very seriously. When many others were not catching fish, we were! I highly recommend Jim Rusk for your Alaskan fishing adventure!!
Brian WorkmanUTAH
I STARTED FISHING IN ALASKA IN 1990. I’D FISHED WITH SEVERAL KENAI RIVER FISHING GUIDES AND WE CAUGHT A FEW FISH. I THEN GOT TO FISH WITH JIM RUSK. WE ALL CAUGHT FISH (OUR LIMITS) HE IS GREAT
David Brown
I’ve fished with Jim for 16 years and he has consistently been a top guide and catches fish even with little action around. He was born and raised on the Kenai and knows every hole and trick of the trade. The 19.75 lb Silver in the pictures below is just one of many trophy size Salmon and Trout from over the years. Besides the fishing, Jim is friendly, works hard to make you happy and really wants everyone to be part of his fishing family. I have brought tons of guests over the years and everyone goes home happy after fishing for a week on the Kenai and Kasilof with Jim.
Michael Gorjanc
Before September of 2012, fishing in Alaska had been a dream of mine. I finally scheduled a trip to Alaska, found Jim on the internet, and we scheduled a week in September to fish for silvers. Jim was the first guide to return my call and I’m glad he was! I fished with Jim for a week on both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers and Jim always worked hard to put us on the fish. He was a great guide with an intimate knowledge of the rivers and had great relationships with the other local guides which was very helpful. Despite unusually slow fishing conditions – and this was the general consensus among the guides and locals – we caught our limit every day but one and did so when other guides could not. Jim was friendly, courteous, very professional and respectful, and best of all he clearly took his guiding work very seriously. When many others were not catching fish, we were! I highly recommend Jim Rusk for your Alaskan fishing adventure!!
Bob Venturin
I have had the opportunity to fish with Jim on two different 5 days trips. Jim has lived in the area his entire life and it definitely shows! At the end of the day, our boat was always one of the top boats if not the top boat of the day in regards to numbers. Jim doesn’t just take you fishing, he makes certain that he puts you on fish which I truly appreciate! I highly recommend setting up your next fishing trip with this highly competent guide!!!! I can’t wait to be back on the water with Jim!!!!
Nevill Deegan
I met Jim through a family member that referred him. I must say that I have not been disappointed. He is a focused on fulfilling your desire to catch whatever species you happen to be targetting. I have booked with him for one species or another each year since our first charter, and will continue to do so. There is not a more passionate guide I know. You always get his best effort and as you can see by my pict, It pays to use Jim. Big Kings and Rainbows are a specialty of his and full limits of Reds and Silvers are the norm for Jim. Thanx Jim for the professional service you provide. Paul Marrott- Utah
Paul MarrottUTAH
Quality Excellent Facilities Very good Service Excellent We caught lots of big silver salmon and Lake trout. We had a wonderful time cruising the Kenai Reiver with this Alaskan born Kenai fishing guide. Jim did all the hard work and we just had to cast. He KNOWS where the fish are pasing.
Workman Brian
Jim is a great fisherman, he loves to fish and get you fish, a lot of people don’t care they just take you fishing and jim takes you to catch fish. I fished with jim since 1990 i would not go with any one else, he has caught us so many kings and silvers and everyone caught nothing, thanks Jim Brian Workman
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Kenai River Fishing Report