46th season in 2027, same family, same bend
Forty-six seasons of one family on one bend of the Kenai
At Kenai Riverbend Resort, our family has created one of the premier Alaska fishing destinations. In business since 1981, we have watched the river change, the runs shift and the boats get better, and we have kept the same promise to every guest: the highest level of service, comfortable lodging and the best salmon and halibut fishing we can put you on.
Our tagline has not changed: The Ultimate Alaska Fishing Adventure. Not sure which trip suits you? Call us and we will help you plan one, or look at the season run chart and the riverfront cabins first.
Guiding the Kenai River, Cook Inlet and Seward since the first season
The bank, the boats, the catch and the cabins
One property, seen frame by frame
Willie drift boat at the bank, lower Kenai 
Sockeye on a stringer, lower Kenai 
33’ cruiser deck, Cook Inlet halibut 
Rockfish and salmon on deck, mountains behind 
Log cabins, green roofs, spruce boardwalk 
Log tables and benches in the dining hall 
One cabin, red deck, boardwalk to the bank
Four reasons, in our own words
Why anglers keep coming back to the lower Kenai
Experience
Since 1981 we have guided anglers on the Kenai River, Cook Inlet and Seward. By our own count we have served over 50,000 guests, and we say we are #1 on Trip Advisor. Those are our claims; the Google reviews below are the guests’ own.
Wide variety of fishing
Our spot on the lower Kenai is the best part of the river. A short drive puts you on Cook Inlet for halibut or out of Seward for silvers and rockfish. We hold limited entry permits for those fisheries, and we run fly-outs and bear viewing as well. See halibut, multi-species and the fly-out.
Great staff
Fishing guides, office personnel, room attendants: we use only the best. Our guides are Kenai Riverbend Resort employees, and we own all our own boats.
The best boats and gear
Our river and ocean boats are specifically designed for Alaskan waters, with state of the art electronics and tournament grade rods and reels. Details are in the fleet ledger just below.
Fleet ledger: 1999 Hatcos to 2017 Deltas
Every boat we put you on, and where it came from
- Saltwater, 1999Six 33’ Hatco offshore cruisers
- We commissioned Kevin Hatten at HATCO MARINE to build six boats designed for Alaskan waters. Yamaha 4-stroke outboards through River and Sea Marine, a cruise of 30 mph and a top speed up to 45 mph, heated enclosed cabins, a huge fishing deck and marine bathrooms. We launch them off Ninilchik Beach with log skidders.
- Saltwater, 6-packA custom 30’ Madeira and a 30’ Koffler
- Two more offshore boats, each on clean and quiet 4-stroke Yamaha outboards. We call these six-pack boats the finest on Cook Inlet.
- Saltwater, 2017Two 43’ Delta Marine boats
- The classic Alaskan big boat, with dual diesel inboards and a soft pillow ride to the grounds. US Coast Guard inspected for up to 16 passengers; we fish only 10 to 12 anglers for comfort. Based out of Homer.
- Freshwater, Early 90sWillie Predators, Classics and Drift Boats
- We use only Willie Boats, made in Medford, Oregon, and we were among the first to bring the Willie Predator to Alaska. Comfortable, safe, stable, and they dominate the landscape of the Kenai River.
Willie, the Cadillac of the Kenai
Willie Boats are the “Cadillac’s of the Kenai.” Willie Illingsworth became a close friend, family and client. He spent the summer with us on the river in his “Kenai River Condo,” entertaining clients who wanted to order his boats, making his classic Elk Spaghetti and just being crazy Willie.
Jim Biddle is the new owner of Willie Boats after Willie’s passing, and we are still ordering boats. We miss you, Willie.
Ten makers we are sponsored by and represent
Pro staff for Shimano, G-Loomis, Willie Boats, Yamaha and Simms
- Yamaha
- Willie Boats
- Tuf Line
- Shimano
- Simms
- Mountain Hardware
- Lamiglas
- Luhr Jensen
- Furuno
- G-Loomis
We use only the finest G-Loomis and Lamiglas rods and Shimano reels, on top of the line boats and motors fitted to Alaskan water.
Two guests on the family part
Like going home to visit family
Each time I’ve been to Kenai Riverbend has been more like going home to visit family than being on a fishing vacation.
The owners are present and available with great support staff as a bonus.
Book the 2027 season: 46th year in business
Thank you and we hope to see you in Alaska.
Book your trip today and experience The Ultimate Alaska Fishing Adventure. Prefer to read first? Start with the 2027 packages or trip planning.
Or 907-283-9489 locally, or email kenairiverbend@gmail.com.