First Time Fishing Alaska? Here Are the Top 5 Questions Anglers Ask (And the Real Answers)

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If you’re planning your first fishing trip to Alaska, chances are you’ve got a ton of questions.
When should I come? What kind of fish can I catch? Do I need a guide? What gear do I need?

At Kenai Fly Fish, we’ve heard it all—and we’re here to help.
Here are the top 5 questions new anglers ask, with real answers from the river so you can plan your 2025 trip with confidence.


Sockeye Salmon fishing on the Kenai River

Group of people fishing on the Kenai River with lots of fish #KenaiFlyFish #EpicDay

🎣 1. What’s the Best Time to Fish the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers?

That depends on what you’re after!

  • Sockeye Salmon (Reds): July 10 – August 10

  • Silver Salmon (Cohos): August 15 – September 30

  • Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden: June 11 – November 30

  • Hatchery King Salmon: May 20 – June 30 (Kasilof River only)

  • Pink Salmon: August 1 – September 1 (only in even-numbered years like 2025)

✅ Pro tip: If you want salmon action AND fewer crowds, mid to late August is the sweet spot.


🧭 2. Do I Really Need a Guide to Fish Alaska?

Technically—no.
But if you want to maximize your success, stay safe, and avoid regs violations, a guide is the way to go.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we provide:

✅ Licensed, experienced guidance
✅ Local knowledge of the best spots & techniques
✅ All gear, waders, and fish cleaning included
✅ Flexible half-, ¾-, or full-day trips

We take the stress out of it so you can focus on the fun.


🐟 3. What Kind of Fish Can I Catch?

The Kenai Peninsula offers some of the most diverse freshwater fishing in North America.

On your trip, you could catch:

  • 🎯 Sockeye salmon (limit-style action mid-July)

  • 🔥 Silver salmon (hard-hitting surface strikes)

  • 🌈 Rainbow trout (wild, trophy-class fish)

  • 👑 Hatchery king salmon (Kasilof River only)

  • 🟣 Pink salmon (fun and fast for families)

There’s always something running between June and October.


🎒 4. What Should I Bring for My Guided Trip?

We provide all the gear. But here’s what you should bring:

  • 🧥 Layered clothing & rain jacket

  • 🧤 Warm socks and gloves (especially for morning trips)

  • 📸 Camera or phone for photos

  • 🥤 Snacks & drinks (we offer meals upon request)

  • 🎣 A valid Alaska sport fishing licenseBuy online here


📍 5. Where Will We Fish?

Most of our trips launch from:

  • Soldotna

  • Sterling

  • Kasilof

  • Occasionally Cooper Landing (for trout-focused trips)

We fish the Kenai River (power boat) and Kasilof River (drift boat), adjusting based on what’s fishing best that week.

We customize every trip to match your group size, skill level, and goals.


🐟 Ready for Your First Alaska Fishing Trip?

Kenai Fly Fish specializes in welcoming new anglers, families, and first-time visitors.
We keep it fun, flexible, and fully guided—so you can focus on making memories, not figuring out what flies to throw.

📞 Call or Text: (907) 301-6957
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Book Now: kenaiflyfish.com


✨ Don’t Just Visit Alaska—Fish It Right.

If you’re coming to Alaska, don’t leave without fishing the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers.
Your first time doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

 
 

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