Sockeye, kings, silvers and even-year pinks

Salmon on the Kenai and the Kasilof, guided since 1981.

We provide fabulous Alaska salmon fishing charters, and king, silver and sockeye salmon are all plentiful in our area. Below, each species gets its own panel: how it fights, when it runs and where we fish it. The week-by-week picture lives on the run chart.

Four anglers standing in the Kenai River holding a string of sockeye salmon — A string of sockeye, bright from the river, held by four anglers knee deep in the Kenai.

First run in June, second run mid July to the second week of August

Sockeye: amazing reel sizzling action

Sockeye, otherwise known as red salmon, are known for their awesome fights and excellent table fare. They are some of the best eating salmon in the world and, pound for pound, some of the best fighters. The first run diverts to the Kasilof River or shoots straight up to the Upper Kenai and Russian Rivers, a great time to drift the Kasilof for a daily limit.

Sockeye salmon fishing

Late May to July 1

15 to 30

pounds on the Kasilof

King salmon

Giants for a rod-ripping fight. The Kasilof is fished from 20’ Willie drift boats with four anglers, and saltwater kings are targeted if regulations allow. The Kenai River is closed to king fishing.

King salmon fishing

August and September

8 to 20

pounds on average

Silver salmon

Acrobatic jumps and hard fighting runs on the Kenai, the Kasilof and Seward’s Resurrection Bay. When the fishing is hot you can often limit out in hours.

Silver salmon fishing

Sockeye in June and July, silvers late July through August

Fly-out salmon with the bears

Many of our guests want the more remote parts of Alaska, nature at its purest. We fly with Talon Air across Cook Inlet to rivers where brown bears are after the same fish you are, and you are fully guided.

Bear viewing and fly-out fishing

Even years, August

Pink salmon

Remember pinks in even years: expect millions of them in the month of August.

Three boats, three ways to put a salmon on the line

How we fish each water

Kasilof drift boats: A shallow river means 20’ Willie drift boats for four anglers. Our guides teach back bouncing or back trolling, with lighter rods than the Kenai, and the thrill of a Kasilof king comes from that lighter gear.
Kenai anchored boats: For silvers we anchor the boat and either back bounce salmon egg clusters or fish plugs, and sometimes throw spinners in idle water. It is relaxing technique with fast catching, and the bite is the best part. Do not set the hook too early.
Seward saltwater: Our saltwater captains mooch cut plug herring over huge schools of silvers. Six anglers with fish on at the same time is a daily occurrence, and a 3 to 6 fish limit goes fast on fish of 10 to 20 pounds.

Seward, July and August

The Seward “Grand Slam”

Seward is a fishing paradise and fast becoming a favorite for our clients. In July and August you have the opportunity of a “Grand Slam”: silver salmon, ling cod, red snapper, rockfish and a few halibut, all in one all-day charter out of Resurrection Bay.

See the Seward trips 2027 packages

Tell us the fish, and we will pick the week.

Limits and closures can change at any time under Alaska Department of Fish and Game rules, so we confirm the current picture with you when you book. Call 1-800-625-2324 or 907-283-9489, or look over the trip planning notes.

Send your trip details