Kasilof River · Kenai River bank
Sockeye salmon on the Kasilof and the Kenai
Two runs, June and then mid July to the second week of August, drifted on the Kasilof, fished from the bank in waders, or flown out to the bears.
Chapter 01
Two runs: all of June, then mid July to the second week of August
The seasonal migration starts in June with the first run, which either diverts to the Kasilof River or shoots straight up to the Upper Kenai and Russian Rivers. This is a great time to catch your daily limit drifting the Kasilof for sockeye, and if regulations allow, to target Kasilof kings on the same trip.
The second run starts in mid July and goes into the second week of August. Between the two runs you have roughly eight weeks of sockeye fishing, with the first half of July between them.
Sockeye, also 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.
Four anglers standing in the river holding a string of sockeye salmon
Drifting the Kasilof, fishing the bank in Simms waders
Nearly all of our fishing is from a boat, and the first run is a drift: your guide slides the boat down the Kasilof while you work the line. On parts of the river sockeye are fished from the bank, and we provide Simms waders for every guided bank fishing trip.
If you plan to fish on your own in the evening, here is what to pack: needle-nose pliers, split shot, 2/0 salmon hooks, line cutters, ball bearing swivels and a knife for bleeding your fish. You can also buy Kenai River sockeye setups locally, and Trustworthy Hardware and Sportsmen’s Warehouse are both close to the lodge.
Then there is the other way to do it. In June and July we fly out by floatplane across Cook Inlet to fish untouched rivers for sockeye, with brown bears working the nearby rocks after the same fish you are, and you are fully guided the whole time. The trip is on its own page, Bear Viewing Fly-Out, linked below.
Chapter 03
After the fish: limits, the fish house and a day on the water
Historical daily limits have been three to six sockeye, and they are not set in stone. Rulings from NOAA and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game can change salmon limits at any time, so we confirm them when you arrive. You can only leave Alaska with your allotted legal daily limits.
Guided charters run up to 6 to 8 hours, weather permitting, and all fishing gear is provided. Every group gets a tote to carry the catch. Back at the resort the fish house vacuum seals and freezes it, with 50 to 100 pounds of processing and one or two airline approved boxes included, depending on the package.
All vessels and guides are insured and licensed. Call 1-800-625-2324.
Sockeye: June, then mid July to the second week of August
Two bars on the run chart, with a breather between them
The first run is June on the Kasilof and the upper rivers. The second run starts in mid July and goes into the second week of August. Fly-out sockeye with the brown bears are fished in June and July.
- All the salmonSalmon fishingKings, sockeye and silvers laid out together.
- Late May to July 1King salmonKasilof drift boats and Cook Inlet trolling, if regulations allow.
- August and SeptemberSilver salmonTwo silver runs on the Kenai, Kasilof and in Seward.
- June and JulyBear viewing fly-outFloatplane to Wolverine Creek and Big River Lakes, sockeye beside the brown bears.
- 2027 packagesRatesLodging and guided days on the June to September axis.
- Before you flyTrip planningThe sockeye gear list, limits and the drive to the Kasilof.