Fish counts
Kenai River fish counts
Where to get today's numbers, what they actually measure, and how to read them for tomorrow's fishing rather than yesterday's.
We link to ADF&G rather than republishing their numbers. A stale count is worse than no count, and theirs is the source of record. We are building a daily mirror with trend context — if that would be useful to you, tell us.
How to read them
The number is behind you, not in front of you
Sonar counts fish that have already passed the counter heading upstream. A big number today means a lot of fish went past the sonar — it does not tell you how many are holding in the stretch you are about to fish.
What is useful is the shape. Three or four days of climbing counts means the run is on. A single low day in the middle of a strong week is usually tide or weather, not the end of the run. And a count that has been flat for a week after a strong push generally means the bulk of that run has gone through.
Then check whether anything has changed in the rules. Alaska manages these fisheries in-season by emergency order, and bag limits can move up or down within days of a count trend. Run timing gives you the baseline; the counts tell you where this year sits against it.
Straight answers
Fish count questions
Where do I find today's Kenai River fish count?
ADF&G publishes daily sonar counts through its Southcentral fish count pages during the counting season. You can also reach the Soldotna office on (907) 262-9368.
What is the ADF&G fish count phone number?
The ADF&G Soldotna sport fish office is (907) 262-9368. It is the fastest way to confirm anything time-sensitive, including in-season emergency orders.
What does the sonar actually count?
Sonar counts fish passing a fixed point on the river, so the number tells you what has already gone up past the counter. It is a measure of the run to date, not of how many fish are in front of you today.
Are kings still being counted in 2026 even though the fishery is closed?
Yes. Counting continues regardless of whether fishing is allowed — the counts are how ADF&G tracks escapement against the goal, which is exactly what the 2026 closure was based on.
How do I read a count for planning tomorrow's fishing?
Look at the trend rather than the single number. Several consecutive days of rising counts usually means fish are moving through in volume. A sharp drop often follows a tide or weather change rather than the run ending.
Who can take you
Guides fishing the Kenai right now
Every business in our directory is listed free and lists its own phone, email and website. We take no commission and no booking — you deal with the operator directly.