Why You Should Book Your Alaska Fishing Trip in May (Even if You’re Fishing in July or August)

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You might not be fishing until July or August, but if you’re planning to fish the Kenai River this summer…
May is when you book it.

Why? Because peak salmon weeks fill up fast — and every season, we have to turn people away who wait too long.

If you’re dreaming about fishing sockeye, silvers, or trophy trout in Alaska, here’s why May is your golden window to lock in your best dates for 2025.


📅 July & August = Prime Fishing Season

Let’s start with a reminder of what’s coming:

🟥 Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon)

  • Peak Dates: July 10 – August 10

  • Known For: Daily limits, aggressive runs, and the best-eating salmon in Alaska

  • Trip Style: Power boat trips for fast action and full coolers

🟦 Silver Salmon (Coho)

  • Peak Dates: August 15 – September 10

  • Known For: Acrobatic fights, great fly fishing, combo potential with trout

  • Trip Style: Drift or power boat options with casting gear or flies

🌈 Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden

  • Peak Dates: August – October

  • Known For: Trophy-sized rainbows behind spawning sockeye

  • Trip Style: Scenic drift trips through the Middle Kenai

The season is short. The demand is high. Booking early = better choices.


🕰️ Why Book in May?

1. Best Date Selection
Want to fish the second week of July (when sockeye are pouring in)?
Or the last week of August for silvers and rainbows?
You need to book now — before those dates are gone.

2. Ideal Flight + Lodging Options
Planning in May gives you:

  • ✈️ Better airfare to Anchorage

  • 🛏️ More lodging choices near Soldotna, Sterling, or Cooper Landing

  • 🚗 Easier time booking rental cars or RVs

3. Time to Prep
When you book in May, we help you:

  • 🧳 Know what to pack

  • 🎣 Choose your target fish

  • 🛶 Pick the best river (Kenai or Kasilof)

  • 📦 Decide if you want to ship fish home


🧭 May Booking = Full Customization

At Kenai Fly Fish, we build every trip around your needs:

  • Half-day, three-quarter, or full-day trips

  • Drift or power boat

  • Target species + experience level

  • Add-ons like shore lunch, fish processing, or extra gear

🎯 The earlier we hear from you, the more we can tailor your experience.


🧰 What’s Included When You Book Early

✔️ Flexible date options
✔️ Preferred boat or guide selection
✔️ All gear: rods, reels, tackle, waders, boots
✔️ Full trip planning support from a local expert
✔️ Email/text reminders as your trip approaches
✔️ Access to lodging recommendations, FAQs, and checklist guides


💬 Real Talk: Don’t Wait Until June or July

By then, it’s often:

  • ❌ Too late for the best days

  • ❌ Limited gear or boat availability

  • ❌ Harder to group your party together

  • ❌ Higher airfare and fewer lodging options

🔐 Booking in May = less stress, more fishing.


🎣 Book Your Alaska Fishing Trip Today

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

👉 Let’s lock in your 2025 salmon trip now — before the best dates are gone.

 
 

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