A creel survey to estimate angler effort, and catch and harvest of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha was conducted on the Kenai River between the Soldotna Bridge and Cook Inlet from 17 May through 3 August 1997. During the early run (May and June), estimated angler-effort was 102,243 (SE = 5,130) angler-hours and harvest was 4,942 (SE = 619) chinook salmon. During the late run (July and August), estimated angler-effort was 263,642 (SE = 10,153) angler-hours and harvest was 10,336 (SE = 710) chinook salmon. During the early run, the recreational fishery was restricted by emergency order on 17 June through 30 June to catch-and-release fishing for all chinook salmon less than 132 cm in total length. This management action was taken due to low numbers of returning chinook salmon, as determined by sonar, and relatively high harvest rates in the sport fishery. During the late run the fishery was extended until 3 August in response to a greater than average return. Unguided anglers accounted for 37% of the fishing effort and took 26% of the harvest during the early run, while guided anglers accounted for 63% of the effort and took 74% of the harvest. During the late run, unguided anglers had 52% of the effort and 43% of the harvest, and guided anglers had 48% of the effort and 57% of the harvest. The predominant age class in the recreational harvest as well as the inriver return during both runs was age-1.4 chinook salmon, followed by age-1.3 fish.