Chuck Thomas Sportfishing

Fresh and Saltwater Fishing Options.

The Kenai River is known for its world-record salmon runs. Kings average 30 to 40 pounds, with numerous 60 to 70-pound kings landed each year. The Kenai has two king salmon runs. The first run lasts until the end of June, and the second usually ends around July 31st.

Silver Salmon:  Silver salmon start running in the Kenai River in mid-July and continue through the second week of August.

Sockeye Salmon  Kenai sockeye salmon typically weigh between 4 and 10 pounds. Some people consider sockeye to be the best-tasting salmon.

Kasilof River:  You can also arrange to fish the Kasilof River, a small drift boat-only river. The river is known for its abundant king salmon returning to spawn each year, and a good run of silvers starting in August.

Customize your package:  Each package includes at least one day of halibut fishing. You can book a day trip to Cook Inlet to go halibut fishing. You'll have the opportunity to fish for Pacific halibut, with average weights ranging from 18 to 22 pounds. The best eating halibut are chicken-sized, and you may also catch barndoor-sized halibut weighing up to 400 pounds.

The Fishing Program

Season:  The fishing season runs from May through September.
Group Size:   During July and August, which is the peak season, a minimum of four anglers are required per booking. Up to four anglers can go on a river boat, and up to six anglers can go on an ocean charter boat. In May, June, and September, a minimum of only one is required per booking.
Guided Hours:  Trips are from six to eight hours.
Salmon Fishing Days:  You'll meet your guide at the river at 6:00 a.m., a five to 10-minute drive from the cabin. You'll fish from 20-foot open jet sleds with 50 HP outboard motors. Up to four anglers per guide. Depending on the season, you’ll fish for kings, sockeye, or silvers. In even-numbered years, you can also fish for pink salmon beginning in late July.
Halibut Charters:  If desired, packages include one-day halibut fishing aboard a 30 to 32-foot saltwater cruiser with covered cabins. The boats can accommodate up to six anglers in addition to the Captain and deckhand. You will need to drive your rental car to Homer, which is a 70-mile, one-hour and 45-minute drive. The fishing trip will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You will return to the cabin around 4:15 p.m.
Guides:  The guides are career professionals, each averaging over twenty years of fishing experience in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Equipment:  Spin fishing gear, tackle, and all the bait needed for your trip are provided. Fly anglers need to bring their own equipment.
Fishing License:  Your Alaska fishing license and king stamp are not included in the package ($45.00 each in 2025).
Lunch:  You'll need to bring your own lunch, snacks, and beverages for the boat. An ice chest and cooler are provided on the boats.

Soldotna Lodging:

Your base is the small town of Soldotna, Alaska (population 4,163) on the Kenai Peninsula. You'll stay in a three-bedroom cabin just five minutes from town. The cabin has six twin beds and two-and-a-half baths. The cabin has a flat-screen TV with livestreaming. There are chest freezers in the garage to store your fish, and a washer and dryer are onsite. No groups are mixed at the Lodge.

Meals:  Meals are not included in the package, but the cabin has a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, gas range, and microwave. You can do your own cooking or dine in town. A wide choice of restaurants is available, plus a Safeway and a Walmart.

Communications:  The cabin has free Wi-Fi. Cell phones work well in this area and can be used as a hotspot to access the internet.

Getting to Soldotna, Alaska:

You'll fly to Anchorage, Alaska — the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. From Anchorage, there are two options for getting to the Lodge in Soldotna, Alaska.
1.) You can rent a vehicle in Anchorage and drive the scenic Seward Highway to Soldotna, a 2.5-hour drive.
2.) You can fly from Anchorage to the Kenai Municipal Airport (a 20-minute flight), rent a vehicle, and drive 10 minutes to Soldotna.

Ground Transportation:  A rental car is required. On river fishing days, you will have about a five to 10-minute drive to the river. On your halibut fishing day, you will need to drive from Soldotna to the marina in Cook Inlet, a 70-mile drive.
Due to high demand, it is important that you reserve a rental car as soon as you schedule your trip.

King Salmon Fishing

2025 Rates:

You can Customize your package.
A minimum of four is required in July and August (peak season). In May, June, and September, a minimum of only one angler is required per booking.
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing
$2,345.00 per person
(2-days salmon fishing and 1-day halibut fishing)

6-nights and 5-days guided fishing
$3,245.00 per person
(4-days salmon fishing and 1-day halibut fishing)

Halibut Combo Charter:
Fish for halibut, ling cod, and rockfish. Add $200.00 p.p. per day to your package.

Saltwater and Freshwater Options

The Packages Include:

• Lodging, two guests per room
• Wi-Fi
• Guided fishing
• Use of spin gear, tackle, and all bait
• Vacuum-packaged fish care, packed in airline-approved boxes

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Anchorage or Kenai, and return
• Car rental for the week from Anchorage or Kenai
• Ground transfers from cabin to fishing
• No meals are provided.
• Sack lunches for the boat
• Alcohol
• 3% Kenai Sales Tax on the total package
• Alaska fishing license, $45
• King Salmon Stamp, $45
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Global Rescue or similar medical/safety evacuation coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not covered under inclusions.