Countdown to Alaska’s 2025 Salmon Season – What to Expect This Year

Posted April 1, 2025 · Add Comment

Sockeye Salmon fishing on the Kenai River

The wait is almost over — and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting salmon seasons in recent memory on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. With strong sockeye forecasts, reliable silver salmon runs, and trophy trout waiting in the wings, now’s the time to plan your trip.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we’ve spent decades guiding anglers on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, and we’re more excited than ever for what this summer has in store.

🐟 What’s Running in 2025?

🟥 Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon)

📆 Season Window: June 11 – August 15
📍 Best Action: Kenai River (July 10 – August 10), Kasilof River (June 24 – early July)
💥 Why It’s Hot: Massive returns, fast-paced fishing, and unbeatable table fare

🟦 Silver Salmon (Coho)

📆 Season Window: August 1 – October 30
📍 Best Action: August 15 – September 10 on the Kenai & Kasilof
🎣 Why It’s Special: Surface hits, aerial jumps, and aggressive takes on gear or fly

🌈 Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden

📆 Season Window: June 11 – November 30
📍 Best Action: August 15 – October 10, especially after the sockeye spawn
🏆 Why It’s Legendary: 30-inch trophies, catch-and-release magic, and fall colors

❌ King Salmon (Kenai River)

🚫 Closed for 2025
➡️ Focus on sockeye and silvers — both open for harvest and red-hot all season long

✅ What’s Special About 2025?

📈 Sockeye forecast is strong — especially for Kenai’s late July surge
💧 Ideal water flow predictions = great for both bank and boat access
📅 Early Kasilof sockeye = awesome drift trips from late June
🔁 July–August combo windows = perfect for targeting sockeye, silvers & trout
📷 Wildlife, scenery & solitude — the full Alaska experience

🛶 Where We Fish

🚤 Kenai River

Power & drift boat access
Massive sockeye runs (July 10 – Aug 10)
Silver salmon action mid-Aug through September
Trophy trout all fall long

🛶 Kasilof River

Drift-boat only (no motors allowed)
Early sockeye run peaks late June – early July
Late-season silver salmon available for harvest
Quiet, scenic, and off the beaten path

📆 Prime Booking Windows by Species

🎯 Trip Goal	📆 Best Time to Book
🟥 Sockeye Salmon	July 10 – August 10
🟦 Silver Salmon	August 15 – September 10
🐟 Trophy Rainbow Trout	August 20 – October 10
🔁 Combo (Coho + Trout)	August 20 – September 5
🛶 Drift Float (Quiet Water)	June 24 – July 7 (Kasilof)

📣 April = Prime Booking Season

By mid-April, our most popular July and August trip dates start to fill up — and for good reason.
Whether you’re booking a solo adventure, a couple’s getaway, or a family-friendly guided trip, Kenai Fly Fish offers flexible, all-inclusive trips to match your style and skill level.