Alaska Salmon Season 2025: What’s Running, When to Go, and How to Book

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Thinking about fishing in Alaska this summer?
2025 is shaping up to be one of the strongest salmon seasons in years — especially on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, two of the most iconic and productive fisheries in the world.

Whether you’re chasing limit-breaking sockeye, battling explosive silver salmon, or pairing it with trophy rainbow trout, this guide breaks down exactly what to expect and when to book.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we live and breathe these rivers — and 2025 is a season you won’t want to miss.


🧭 What’s Running in 2025?

🟥 Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon)

📍 Kenai & Kasilof Rivers
📆 Peak Run: July 10 – August 10
🎯 Fast-paced limits, aggressive runs, and unbeatable meat quality


🟦 Silver Salmon (Coho)

📍 Kenai & Kasilof Rivers
📆 Peak Run: August 15 – October 1
🎣 Acrobatic fighters that crush spinners, plugs, and flies


🌈 Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden

📍 Kenai River
📆 Best Time: June 11 – November 30
💥 Catch-and-release trophy fishing at its peak, especially August–October


King Salmon (Kenai River)

🚫 Closed for 2025
➡️ But don’t worry — sockeye and silver salmon runs are stronger and more exciting than ever


📆 Month-by-Month Breakdown

Month Best Species Notes
June Sockeye (early), Trout Light crowds, scenic floats, hungry trout
July Sockeye (peak), Trout Freezer-filling trips, long days, hot sockeye bite
August Silver Salmon, Trout Combo heaven, fewer crowds, best light for photos
September Silvers (late), Trout Trophy rainbow fishing + fall foliage

💡 Pro Tip:

  • Book early July for prime sockeye fishing

  • Book mid-to-late August for silvers + rainbow trout combos


🚤 Where We Fish

🛥️ Kenai River

  • Alaska’s most iconic salmon river

  • Power and drift boat access

  • Prime water for sockeye, silver salmon, and rainbow trout


🛶 Kasilof River

  • Drift-boat-only = quiet, motor-free floats

  • Strong early sockeye action

  • Great for peaceful scenery and slower-paced trips


🧰 What’s Included with Your Trip

✔️ Licensed expert guide with 20+ years of experience
✔️ Power or drift boat access (your choice)
✔️ Rods, reels, waders, boots, and tackle
✔️ Fish cleaning + filleting services
✔️ Flexible start times based on conditions
✔️ Optional meals and add-ons available
✔️ Wildlife-filled float through pristine Alaskan wilderness

🎒 You bring: fishing license, warm layers, and a sense of adventure — we’ll handle the rest.


🐾 More Than Fishing – It’s the Full Alaska Experience

Your trip includes more than just the catch:

🦅 Bald eagles soaring overhead
🐻 Bears roaming the banks
🦌 Moose grazing in the shallows
🏔️ Glacial water, rugged peaks, and endless photo ops

🎣 This isn’t just a fishing trip — it’s a story you’ll tell for life.


🎣 How to Book Your 2025 Alaska Salmon Trip

Here’s how easy it is:

  1. Pick your target species — sockeye, silver, trout (or all three!)

  2. 📅 Choose your ideal week using our seasonal run guide

  3. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tell us your group size and goals — we’ll tailor your trip

  4. ✈️ Fly into Anchorage (ANC) — we’ll guide you from there

  5. 🎣 Arrive ready to fish — we’ll take care of the rest


📍 Book Your Spot Before It’s Gone

🎯 July and August dates book out early — often months in advance.
Secure your 2025 trip now for the best chance at peak salmon fishing weeks.

📞 Call Ian: (907) 301-6957
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: kenaiflyfish.com
📲 Follow: @kenaiflyfish on Instagram & Facebook

 
 

Kenai River Fish Species

Rainbow Trout

Kenai River rainbows can be well over 30 inches and up to 20lbs!

Dolly Varden Char

Dollies range of all sizes and can reach up to about 12 lbs.

Steelhead

Steelhead are very uniform in shape and average around 28 inches. These amazing, acrobatic fish are often a fly fisherman’s favorite to target.

King Salmon

The Kenai River is open to motorized boats, allowing us chase the bite, and stay on the fish!

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon (also called red salmon) are the most popular salmon to catch on the Kenai Peninsula.

Coho Salmon

Ranging anywhere from 5-20lbs, coho are acrobatic and are probably the most aggressive salmon out there.

Pink Salmon

Pinks are completely underrated, they are extremely aggressive to catch and come in by the millions!

Halibut

Guided ocean fishing on the world-famous Kenai Peninsula