Planning a guided salmon fishing trip in Alaska this summer? Before you hit the water, it’s crucial to understand the current fishing regulations—especially for rivers like the Kenai and Kasilof, where conservation efforts and rule changes can affect your trip.
At Kenai Fly Fish, we stay on top of every update so our clients fish with confidence, compliance, and maximum success. Here’s your no-fluff guide to the 2025 Alaska salmon fishing rules that every angler needs to know before they cast.
🗓️ What’s New in 2025?
There are a few important rule changes for 2025 you should be aware of:
🔴 No King Salmon Fishing on the Kenai River in 2025
Due to ongoing conservation efforts, all Kenai River King Salmon fishing is closed—including both early and late runs. This applies to both catch-and-release and harvest.
🔶 Single-Hook, No-Bait Rule on the Kasilof River (June–July)
To protect migrating salmon, a no-bait, single-hook restriction is in place during key weeks. We adjust gear and techniques to stay compliant and still catch fish.
🟢 Sockeye and Silver Salmon Harvests Remain Open
The sockeye and silver runs are healthy, and harvest is allowed with standard limits. This is where we focus our guided trips in summer 2025.
🎣 Statewide Fishing License Requirements
Before fishing, make sure you’ve got the right paperwork:
✅ Alaska Sport Fishing License (required for all anglers 16+)
✅ King Salmon Stamp (not needed for 2025 Kenai trips, but required in other locations if kings are open)
🎫 Buy online at adfg.alaska.gov
We’ll walk you through what you need and help ensure you’re covered.
🧾 Daily Bag Limits for Salmon – Kenai & Kasilof (2025 Forecast)
Final limits are confirmed by ADFG each June. These are the most likely limits for the season based on historical data and forecasts:
🟥 Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon)
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🐟 Daily Limit: 3–6 fish (varies by run strength)
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🎯 Possession Limit: 2x daily limit
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⚖️ Harvest allowed – filleted, cleaned, and packed by our team
🟦 Silver Salmon (Coho Salmon)
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🐟 Daily Limit: 2 fish
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⚖️ Harvest allowed – great for casting trips and kids
🐟 King Salmon (Chinook)
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❌ Closed on the Kenai and Kasilof in 2025
⚠️ Hook & Gear Restrictions (2025 Overview)
🎣 Single Hook Only
Double or treble hooks are not allowed when fishing for salmon in freshwater.
🪝 No Treble Hooks
Only one point of contact allowed when fishing for salmon.
🧈 No Bait During Certain Periods
Bait is prohibited on the Kasilof and Kenai Rivers during key salmon migration periods. We switch to jigs, spinners, or drifting rigs.
📍 Area-Specific Rules: Kenai vs Kasilof
🛶 Kenai River
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Power boat access allowed (except Upper Kenai Drift Only section)
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Closed for all King Salmon fishing
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Sockeye and Silver fishing open and productive
🛶 Kasilof River
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Drift boat only
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No-bait periods apply early in season
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Sockeye and hatchery Silvers available for harvest
🧰 Kenai Fly Fish Handles the Rules for You
Worried about the fine print? Don’t be. When you fish with us, we handle all compliance details:
✅ All gear is rule-compliant
✅ Daily updates on emergency orders
✅ Your guide will keep you legal and safe
✅ We clean and pack your catch according to ADFG rules
You focus on fishing—we’ll handle the rest.
🐻 Reminder: Respect Wildlife & Ethical Harvest
Alaska is wild, beautiful, and home to more than just fish. Please help us preserve this incredible place by:
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Disposing of fish waste properly
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Giving wildlife space on shorelines
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Following your guide’s instructions
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Only keeping what you plan to eat
🎣 Book Your 2025 Guided Salmon Trip with Confidence
Our team monitors ADFG updates daily to keep you informed, compliant, and catching fish. With changing salmon regulations, fishing with a local guide has never been more valuable.
📍 Book your Alaska salmon adventure today: Kenai Fly Fish
✅ We’ll take care of the gear, the rules, and the fish!
