Although best known for the excellent halibut fishing and clam digging nearby, the Ninilchik River supports a very popular king salmon fishery in May and June, as well as a silver fishery in August.

Smallest of the three southern streams, due to the river's size and the large number of anglers who participate in this fishery, the king season here is limited to Memorial Day weekend and the succeeding two weekends (weekends are defined as Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).

A blast from the past! Bob and one of his first Alaskan salmon from the boat basin on the Ninilchik River.

Fishing is limited to the lower two miles of river although most anglers fish well below this deadline ... in fact, the favorite spot is perhaps in the boat basin right at the river's mouth.

Hosting an enhanced, or stocked, king fishery, the regulations may be relaxed on this river if the stocked run encounters a large return.

Many anglers prefer a medium-heavy or heavy action rod ... some anglers use flies, others choose to use spin-'n-glo's or salmon eggs. Spoons and spinners are also popular. In the boat basin just above the river's mouth, eggs under a float are very popular.

August sees a fair return of silver salmon into the Ninilchik ... spinners are most popular for the returning coho, but eggs under a bobber is also a popular offering.

Fishing is generally best here just prior to and after high tide as new, more aggressive fish enter the lowermost stretch of the river.

With a very short season, and no boat necessary, the Ninilchik River king salmon fishery is very popular!