Save the Kenai King

Home
United States
Soldotna, AK
Save the Kenai King

Uniting our community to protect Kenai Kings 🐟 | Awareness ➡ Action ➡ Recovery | Join the conversation, shape the plan.

12/18/2025

Our Save the King .loft collab can be found at and today they’re having a 20% off tea sale! ☕️ Be sure to grab a box before the holidays. A portion of sales for all boxes come back to KWF 💧

11/14/2025

Thank you to everyone who showed up for the Kenai King Initiative Community Forum—participants, facilitators, sponsors, volunteers, and every single person who added their voice, stories, and their dedication to this movement.

This event was an incredible reminder of the passion this community has for the river and for the future of our King Salmon. From breakout sessions to hallway conversations, your ideas, experience, and shared commitment are shaping the path forward.

We’ll be emailing all participants with a summary of themes and clear next-step opportunities, including how to join the emerging work groups (data, habitat, policy, education, and more).

This is only the beginning! Thank you for standing with us to Save the King.

📸:

10/24/2025

Tomorrow, our community comes together for the Kenai King Community Forum—a day dedicated to collaboration, connection, and action for the future of the Kenai Kings. From local leaders to lifelong anglers, every voice matters in this conversation.

10/17/2025

“Like so many other summer nights on the Kenai, I couldn’t wait to get off work and get to the river. This Saturday evening, however, would be a little different. My brother-in-law, Dave Dykstra, had called and asked if I wanted to go out with him after work and see if we could stir up a King or two. I couldn’t get off work soon enough. Dave and I had been fishing together since we were teens growing up in Oregon, and he was one of the best around at finding big fish.
At the time, there was a Kenai King Derby, and a $10.00 ticket got you a chance at up to $50,000.00. I had a few bucks in my pocket, chose beverages over a ticket, and off to the boat I went.
We started the evening off hitting some of our favorite holes with not much going on, but we knew the tide was pushing and were hopeful that we would put a big Kwikfish in front of some Kings. As the evening wore on, we decided to hit our last and favorite hole. It’s a long, deep slot with a big boulder about halfway down. I always joked with Dave that he had better run my set right by that boulder because I knew a big one would be laying in the slack right behind it.
Well, that night I was right, and just as we moved down on the spot, there was an explosion that you only know if you’ve ever hooked big fish. If you’re not paying attention, the takedown of a Kenai King will rip the rod right out of your hands. The fish made several runs, spooling out line and making my reel scream. We knew we had a big one, but until she broke the surface, we didn’t have any idea how big. The first time she surfaced, there was a collective “oh my, that’s a big fish.”
We brought her to the boat at least three times before we finally tired her out enough to attempt netting her. Dave was running the boat, barking directions, and preparing to net as well. It was quite a circus to watch, I’m sure, but we’d done it before many times and were confident in our approach. After about 45 minutes, we had her in the boat, and we all just stared in awe…”

(continued in comments)

10/08/2025

Salmon sustain so much: our rivers, our wildlife, our way of life. On , we share this story as a reminder of what’s at stake. Let’s protect the Kenai Kings—for them, for us, for tomorrow.

With heavy hearts, Terri and Nova are holding a picture from July 25, 2017, the day they caught their last King Salmon. The joy captured in the photograph is a treasured memory, the tragedy is that it will probably never happen again. Since 1960, this family has lived along the banks of the Kenai River. For them, like so many, catching King Salmon was the highlight of the year, a treasured source of food, and a celebration binding our generations together. But the Kenai River is changing. The Kings are fewer now, smaller in size, their strength diminished. Debate continues about the causes, but the truth is undeniable: the need for action is urgent.

Join us and the Kenai River Watershed Forum at the Kenai King Community Forum on October 25th. All are invited to participate, share their concerns and identify next steps in a community action plan. Working together we may make it possible that one day, Nova and Terri will fish kings together and assure that her children will one day have the privilege as well.

📷:

10/04/2025

🍒NEW WINE RELEASE — Black Cherry Wine 🍒

We’re thrilled to introduce our newest collaboration with Kenai Watershed Forum

|Kenai Watershed Forum — "Save the King" Black Cherry Wine|

Crafted with rich ripe black cherry and grape wines and a touch of tannin flavor, this special release celebrates the beauty of Alaska while supporting the “Save the King” campaign, dedicated to protecting the legendary King Salmon and preserving the health of the Kenai River. 🐟💧

Every bottle purchased helps fund conservation efforts to keep Alaska’s waters clean and thriving for generations to come.

✨ Locally made in Homer, Alaska
🌿 Supporting sustainable, community-driven impact
🍷Found only at Bear Creek Winery's Tasting room

10/02/2025

“For many years, my dad would gift my sisters and I a King fishing trip on the Kenai. As we were all adults and living busy lives, it was the one time we could all slow down and be together. Creating memories with my sisters while fishing are some of the best memories I have. Over the years, we had to change to Silver fishing trips. And although we still have great moments, we always talk about when we could fish for the Kings. This photo is the last time my dad went fishing with us. He has since passed and I will dearly treasure those times.” - Jayme H.

Our community can—and must—come together as king numbers fall. Join at the Kenai King Community Forum on October 25. Everyone’s welcome to speak up, share concerns, and help shape a community action plan.

09/25/2025

Five-year-old Axys holds a picture of his dad, Rob Paulk, holding the 75-pound king he caught when he himself weighed 74 pounds. Rob learned to fish from his dad, Jake Paulk, one of the pioneering king fishermen of the Kenai River. Rob grew to be well known for his knowledge of the river and his skill in catching King Salmon. These fish served as valuable food, but also a family legacy and source of pure joy. He shared his ability and taught a lot of people how to catch kings.

Axys though has never caught a king and the legacy of 65 years of catching king salmon may end with him.

The loss of this iconic fish hits us all hard, culturally, economically, and personally.

It’s time for our community to rise in response to this ongoing tragic decline. Join the at the Kenai King Community Forum on October 25th. All are invited to participate, share their concerns and identify next steps in a community action plan.

Working together, we may make it possible that one day Axys will catch king salmon and assure that his children will one day have the privilege as well.

📷:

08/10/2025

Today is Alaska Wild Salmon Day—a day to celebrate and protect all five Pacific salmon species that call our waters home, including the mighty Kenai River King. 🐟

But our kings need more than a celebration…they need a comeback. That’s why we’re launching the Kenai King Community Forum on October 25 at Soldotna Prep School. It’s a chance for our community to come together, share knowledge, and take action for the future of this iconic fish.

📅 Save the date.
🌊 Save the Kings.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15teFxRPcb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/03/2025

Last day at before we wrap up this incredible weekend! 🫧🐟🎶 Come find us hanging out with our other nonprofit friends in the Salmon Causeway!

Address

44129 Sterling Highway
Soldotna, AK
99669

Website

https://www.kenaiwatershed.org/kenai-king-initiative/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Save the Kenai King posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Soldotna?