Alaska Fishing Calendar - Kenai Fishing Seasons
Wondering when the best time to fish for silver and sockeye salmon on the Kenai in Alaska?
Silver or coho salmon fishing heats up in late July and August on the Kenai. Red, or sockeye, salmon fishing starts in June and can run through August. Many other species, like rainbow trout and dolly varden, can be targeted throughout the fall and summer, so contact us about planning your Kenai River Fishing Adventure!
Kasilof River Guided Fishing & Kenai River Guided Fishing
MAY
- King Salmon - King Salmon start entering the rivers in mid-May and are readily available in the saltwater.
- Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden – Kenai River below Dot’s Landing (By Request Only).
- Halibut – Homer, Seward, and Cook Inlet Ocean Fishing.
- Halibut Combo in Cook Inlet for King Salmon and Halibut is at its peak! The best fishing is in May and early June, hands down.
JUNE
- King Salmon – Kasilof and Kenai both fish very well for King Salmon.
- Trout/Dolly Varden – Upper and Middle Kenai River (Starting June 11th), Below Dot’s Landing (Prior to June 11th).
- Sockeye Salmon – Upper Kenai River at Russian River Confluence, Kasilof fishing well towards the end of the month.
- Halibut – Homer, Seward, and Cook Inlet Ocean Fishing.
JULY
- King Salmon – Peak run timing for Kenai and Kasilof's second run, King Salmon.
- Rainbow Trout and Dolly Vardon start fishing very well towards the end of the month when the bulk of the sockeye move upriver.
- Sockeye Salmon – Kenai River, Kasilof River, and Russian River, peak run timing for the major rivers is mid-month through the end of the month.
- Halibut Fishing Cook Inlet - Produces very well.
- Ling Cod season opens on July 1st, fishing out Homer, Seward, and Whittier.
- Rock Fish Yellow Eye, and Sea Bass – Homer, Seward, and Whittier.
AUGUST
- Rainbow Trout/ Dolly Varden – Upper, Middle, and Lower Kenai River peak timing.
- Silver Salmon – Kenai River or Kasilof River.
- Sockeye Salmon – Upper and Middle Kenai River.
- Halibut, Ling Cod, Yellow Eye, and Sea Bass – Homer, Seward, or Cook Inlet Ocean Fishing.
SEPTEMBER
- Rainbow Trout/ Dolly Varden – Upper and Middle Kenai River at its best.
- Silver Salmon – Kenai River or Kasilof River.
- Halibut, Ling Cod, Yellow Eye, and Sea Bass – Soldotna, Homer, Seward, or Cook Inlet Ocean Fishing.
- Steelhead starts peaking towards the end of the month in the Anchor, Deep Creek, Ninilchik, and Kasilof.
OCTOBER
- Rainbow Trout/ Dolly Varden – Upper and Middle Kenai River.
- Silver Salmon – Kenai River.
- Steelhead peak in the rivers to the south of us, Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik, and Kasilof.
