King and Silver Salmon Fishing Trips and Cook Inlet Halibut
Chuck Thomas Sportfishing has been guiding on the Kenai River for over two decades. The Kenai Peninsula is home to the Kenai River and the scenic town of Homer. You can customize your fishing package to include as many king salmon and halibut fishing days as you like or add a fly-out day to the mix.
If you want a guide service's expertise during the day and no set agenda in the evening, consider a trip with Chuck Thomas.
After a day of guided fishing, if you still want to continue fishing, you can head over to the Soldotna River Walk for some sockeye fishing. The evening is yours to enjoy as you please. Several package options are available, and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Each booking has exclusive use of the cabin. 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.
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, which return to spawn each year, and a notable run of silvers in August.
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 is 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. Customize your package: If desired, you can book a day trip to Cook Inlet for halibut fishing. Each package usually includes at least one day of halibut fishing. Guided Hours: Trips are from six to eight hours each day. Guides: The guides are career professionals, each averaging over 20 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 each (2025). Lunch: Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and beverages for the boat. An ice chest and cooler are provided on the boats.
Salmon Fishing
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 Fishing Days
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. Halibut fishing will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You'll 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. You will return to the cabin around 4:15 p.m.
Chinook (King) Salmon Fishing
August Silver Salmon Fishing
Three-Bedroom Cabin
Your home base is Soldotna, Alaska (pop. 4,163). You’ll stay in a private three-bedroom cabin just five minutes from town, featuring six twin beds and 2.5 bathrooms. Amenities include a flat-screen TV with livestreaming, an on-site washer and dryer, and chest freezers in the garage for storing your catch. No groups are mixed at the Lodge.
Meals:Meals are not included in the package, however, the cabin features a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, gas range, and microwave. You can do cook your own meals or dine in town. A wide variety of restaurants is available, along with a Safeway and a Walmart. Communications: The cabin offers complimentary Wi-Fi access, and cell phones work well in this area, allowing them to be used as a hotspot to access the internet.
Living Room
Bedroom at the Cabin
Getting to Soldotna, Alaska:
You'll fly to Anchorage, Alaska — 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 essential that you reserve a rental car as soon as you schedule your trip.
2025 USD 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 / 3 days guided fishing $2,345 per person
(2 days salmon fishing & 1 day halibut fishing)
6 nights / 5 days guided fishing $3,245 per person
(4 days salmon fishing & 1 day halibut fishing)
Halibut Combo Charter: Fish for halibut, ling cod, and rockfish. Add $200 p.p. per day to your package.
• Lodging, two guests per room • Wi-Fi access in the cabin • 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 and from Anchorage or Kenai • Car rental for the week from Anchorage or Kenai • Ground transfers from the 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 coverage • Travel insurance • Anything not listed under inclusions.
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Fishing with Larry Payment Options: 1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies) 2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Chuck Thomas Sportfishing Policies:
Deposit Policy:
50% of the total is due upon reservation. The final payment is due 90-days prior to arrival. Reservations made less than 90-days prior to arrival must be paid in full.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made 90-days prior to arrival receive a full refund less 10% service fee. Cancellations made 60-days prior to arrival receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made 30-days prior to arrival receive a 25% refund, and any cancellation made less than 30-days prior to arrival is non-refundable.
