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The Chena is a popular catch & release grayling stream that runs through the second largest city in Alaska, Fairbanks. It's also the site of the Troutnut's Ph.D. research on juvenile Chinook salmon. There's easy access to good grayling water all along Chena Hot Springs Road for 15-20 miles in the river's upper reach.

Arctic grayling in the 16-inch range are easy to come by, and grayling above 18 are possible in a good day. The better-than-average size and numbers here can be attributed to the catch-and-release-only regulations that have been in place since the 90s. Grayling are very slow-growing fish that can live for decades, and in a river so close to town and with such easy access the population of big fish dwindles quickly if people are allowed to keep them. The maximum size here does not match the monster grayling of Alaska's west coast, but this is as good a grayling fishery as any on the Alaskan road system.

Although the Chena holds both Chinook and Chum salmon, the fishery for them does not match what outsiders picture when they think of Alaska salmon fishing. The river is only open to salmon fishing in its deep, slow, meandering lower miles, where fly fishing, sight fishing, and wading are all difficult. It's mostly the domain of bait and lure fishermen in boats, and the good fishing for them only lasts a week or two as the main pulse of salmon blows through to their spawning grounds in the upper river, which is closed for salmon.

Landscape & scenery photos from the Chena River

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From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 2, 2013
Date AddedJul 13, 2013
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon PowerShot D10
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This is a small, photogenic tributary of the main river I was photographing in Alaska. From the Chena River tributary in Alaska.
This is a small, photogenic tributary of the main river I was photographing in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River tributary
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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My wife plays her first grayling. From the Chena River in Alaska.
My wife plays her first grayling.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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My wife's first Arctic grayling... beautiful! And so is the fish. From the Chena River in Alaska.
My wife's first Arctic grayling... beautiful! And so is the fish.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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High hills in central Alaska overlook a mostly frozen river. From the Chena River in Alaska.
High hills in central Alaska overlook a mostly frozen river.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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Some pretty winter scenery in Alaska. From the Chena River in Alaska.
Some pretty winter scenery in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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This pretty little grayling fell for a well-placed beetle imitation. From the Chena River in Alaska.
This pretty little grayling fell for a well-placed beetle imitation.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
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From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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One of the most common sights on Chena Hot Springs Road is a moose crossing the road. The next most common sight is somebody taking a picture of the moose crossing the road. From the Chena River in Alaska.
One of the most common sights on Chena Hot Springs Road is a moose crossing the road. The next most common sight is somebody taking a picture of the moose crossing the road.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJul 25, 2007
Date AddedMay 9, 2011
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Page:1...3456

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