| Ninilchik River Niqnalchintnu | |
|---|---|
 Ninilchik River in Ninilchik, Alaska - June 3, 2011 | |
  Location of the mouth of the Ninilchik River in Alaska | |
| Native name | Niqnalchintnu (Tanaina) |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Kenai Peninsula |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Kenai Peninsula |
| • coordinates | 60°12′02″N151°18′34″W / 60.20056°N 151.30944°W [1] |
| • elevation | 275 ft (84 m) [2] |
| Mouth | Cook Inlet |
• location | Ninilchik, 38 miles (61 km) southwest of Kenai |
• coordinates | 60°03′27″N151°39′36″W / 60.05750°N 151.66000°W [1] |
• elevation | 23 ft (7.0 m) [1] |
| Length | 21 mi (34 km) [3] |
The Ninilchik River (Dena'ina: Niqnalchintnu) is a 21-mile-long (34-kilometer) stream on the Kenai Peninsula of the U.S. state of Alaska. [3] From headwaters near the west coast of the peninsula, the river flows south, parallel to the coast, then turns sharply west near Ninilchik. [4] Ninilchik Road runs parallel to the lower river along its left bank to near the road's intersection with the Sterling Highway. [4] At Ninilchik, the river passes under the highway, flows through Ninilchik State Recreation Area, and empties into Cook Inlet. [4]
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A small boat harbor, used mainly by fishing boats, is dredged out of the river mouth near the town. [5] The river is a popular fishing location for king salmon in May and June, silver salmon and Dolly Varden in late summer and early fall, and steelhead in late fall. [6] Digging for razor clams along the beaches near Ninilchik is also popular. [6]
