Alaska
Kenai River at Cooper Landing
Location Snapshot
Kenai River at Cooper Landing covers the upper Kenai reach flowing from Kenai Lake toward Skilak Lake through the Cooper Landing corridor. Wild rainbow trout are the resident core of the fishery, while sockeye and Chinook salmon add the anadromous character that distinguishes this reach from the lower Kenai at Soldotna.
Current River Rating
Fair · 50
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Why
- Overcast or filtered daylight is favorable.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 2150 CFS
- Gage Height
- 7.96 ft
- Water Temperature
- 45.7 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 15258000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Snow
Temperature
37°F
Feels like
32°F
Wind
3 mph W
Wind gust
14 mph
Current precipitation
0.01 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 1:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.16 in
Last 24 hours
0.66 in
Last 48 hours
0.67 in
Moderate rainfall may cause rising or changing flows.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 2 AM
Snow
Temp 36°F
Chance 95%
Precip 0.03 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 6 AM
Snow
Temp 35°F
Chance 95%
Precip 0.01 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 10 AM
Snow
Temp 37°F
Chance 65%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 2 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 39°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 6 PM
Snow
Temp 36°F
Chance 40%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 10 PM
Snow
Temp 33°F
Chance 49%
Precip 0.01 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Snow
High 39°F / Low 32°F
Chance 97%
Precip 0.26 in
Max gust 25 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Snow
High 33°F / Low 26°F
Chance 43%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 30°F / Low 19°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 35°F / Low 19°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The Kenai River at Cooper Landing begins at the outlet of Kenai Lake and carries Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, and rainbow trout toward Cook Inlet.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Kenai River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Kenai Peninsula
Management Category
Anadromous and resident salmonid river
Regulation Scope
Kenai River at Cooper Landing.
Regulation Summary
Kenai at Cooper Landing: ADF&G Kenai Peninsula / Kenai River sport-fishing regulations. Confirm current official notices.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, sockeye-salmon, chinook-salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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