Gwin's Lodge

The beautiful thing about Cooper Landing is that you are fairly close to some of the most diverse fishing in Alaska. Homer is just a two and a half hour drive. Seward is an hour and a half drive, both are known as legendary places for Halibut fishing. However, this is the upper Kenai River and it is "the" river in Alaska for salmon fishing. In addition to the Kenai River, the Russian River is a ten-minute drive. You are also surrounded by lakes. Lake Kenai is right here, Skilak Lake is just five minutes down the road. The Kenai Wilderness Preserve is here. There is a ton of fishing opportunities right here.

This area of the Kenai River has a ton of guides available. However, not all guides are the same quality. There are a few little tricks that help you sort out the good guides from the great guides. A great guide will have three different permits. That is the first thing you want to ask them. They need a Forestry permit, a Kenai Wild Life Refuge Permit, and Fish and Game Permit. This will give you access to all of the best fishing spots along the Kenai River and the Russian River.

Because this is the Upper Kenai River, the fish run just a bit later here. If you want Kings check with your guide. If you want Silvers, Late August through September. If you want Sockeye, June, July, and August. You also want to take some time and fly fish for the trophy rainbow trout that are here. An outstanding guide knows where the King spawning beds are, and that is where the 30-inch trout and the Trophy Dolly Varden will be found.

Overall, you cannot miss with Gwin's Lodge and Cooper Landing.