June & July Fishing in Alaska – Your Ultimate Kenai River Kickoff

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Welcome to the heart of Alaska’s fishing season! If you’re planning a trip to the Kenai Peninsula, June and July are the months where it all begins. From aggressive sockeye salmon to early silvers and harvestable kings on the Kasilof, this is the kickoff window for serious action.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we tailor every trip to match the run, the tides, and your goals—so whether you want a freezer full of reds or a quiet drift down the Kasilof, we’ve got the perfect day on the water waiting for you.


🐟 What’s Hot in June and July

🔴 Sockeye Salmon (Kenai & Kasilof Rivers)

📅 Mid-June to early August
The first big run of the summer, sockeye offer non-stop action and limit potential.
✅ Hard-fighting
✅ Delicious
✅ Perfect for all skill levels

🟠 Hatchery King Salmon (Kasilof River only)

📅 Early June through mid-July
One of the few remaining chances to legally harvest a king salmon in Alaska!
✅ Drift boat only = no motors
✅ Peaceful, scenic, and productive

🟣 Rainbow Trout (Kenai River – catch & release)

📅 June–July is pre-spawn feeding frenzy
Hungry, aggressive trout feeding on early salmon activity—perfect for fly and spin fishing fans.


🚤 Drift or Jet? We Fish Both

  • Jet Boat Trips (Kenai River)
    Access fast-moving sockeye and trout zones with ease
    Perfect for those chasing action-packed mornings

  • Drift Boat Trips (Kasilof River)
    Quiet, scenic floats with the chance to take home hatchery kings
    Great for relaxed fishing and first-time visitors


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for Families, First-Timers, & Meat Hunters

June and July trips are great for:

  • ✅ Filling the cooler with wild Alaska salmon

  • ✅ Teaching kids to cast and hook their first fish

  • ✅ Experiencing Alaska without big crowds (early June is golden!)

  • ✅ Building a multi-day fishing vacation


📅 Early Summer = Smart Booking

By late July, the prime launch times are gone, and we’re booking up fast.
Now’s the time to grab those early summer spots, especially if you’re bringing a group or planning a multi-day combo.


📞 Book Now for June or July Fishing on the Kenai

📞 Call Ian at (907) 301-6957
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 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