Planning a fishing trip to Alaska in 2025? Timing is everything — and when it comes to the Kenai River, knowing the peak weeks for each salmon species can make or break your adventure.
At Kenai Fly Fish, we live by the salmon calendar. We’ve crafted this week-by-week breakdown of the 2025 salmon season so you can plan your trip around the exact moment the runs are hot.
Whether you’re chasing limit-filling Sockeye, explosive Silver Salmon, or looking to combine your trip with trout and Dolly Varden, this is your ultimate run-timing guide for 2025.
🧭 Why Timing Matters
The Kenai River is home to some of the most impressive salmon runs in the world — but they don’t all arrive at once.
🎣 Matching your trip to the right week means:
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Higher hook-up rates
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Less downtime between bites
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Better harvest opportunities
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More time fishing, less time hoping
Let’s break it down ⬇️
Group of people fishing on the Kenai River with lots of fish #KenaiFlyFish #EpicDay
📆 Kenai River Salmon Run Calendar – Summer 2025
🟢 = Peak Week | 🔵 = Building/Ending | ❌ = Closed
| Week of | Sockeye Salmon | Silver Salmon | King Salmon (Closed) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17–23 | 🔵 Early trickle | ❌ | ❌ | Start of the 1st Sockeye pulse |
| June 24–30 | 🟢 Peak run | ❌ | ❌ | Fast, early-season action |
| July 1–7 | 🟢 Full swing | ❌ | ❌ | Big daily pulses, fast limits |
| July 8–14 | 🟢 Best week | ❌ | ❌ | Prime sockeye fishing |
| July 15–21 | 🟢 Still hot | 🔵 First arrivals | ❌ | Overlap possible |
| July 22–28 | 🔵 Tapering off | 🔵 Strong push | ❌ | Silver numbers rising |
| July 29–Aug 4 | ❌ | 🟢 Peak week | ❌ | Casting days begin |
| Aug 5–11 | ❌ | 🟢 Best numbers | ❌ | Great drift + cast fishing |
| Aug 12–18 | ❌ | 🟢 Still strong | ❌ | Active silvers in mid-river |
| Aug 19–25 | ❌ | 🟢 Excellent | ❌ | Great time for combo trips |
| Aug 26–Sep 1 | ❌ | 🔵 Tapering | ❌ | Fewer crowds, good weather |
| Sept 2–10 | ❌ | 🔵 Final push | ❌ | Late silvers & trout time |
🟥 Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon)
Best Weeks: June 24 – July 20
These salmon arrive in massive numbers, offering fast-paced fishing and full coolers. Great for all skill levels and group trips.
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🎣 Technique: Flossing, drifting rigs
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🐟 Avg. Size: 6–12 lbs
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🧊 Excellent eating – vacuum seal at trip end
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✅ Trips fill early – book now for July
🟦 Silver Salmon (Coho Salmon)
Best Weeks: August 1 – August 25
Known for their aggressive strikes and aerial battles, Silvers are perfect for casting trips. Great for beginners and seasoned casters alike.
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🎯 Technique: Casting spinners, jigs, or drifting
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🐟 Avg. Size: 8–15 lbs
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🛶 Available on both Kenai & Kasilof
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📸 Epic photos, lots of action
❌ King Salmon – Closed in 2025
There is no King Salmon fishing on the Kenai River in 2025. Conservation efforts are helping protect the long-term health of these iconic fish.
👉 Focus instead on sockeye and silvers — the action is just as exciting, and the fish are harvestable.
💡 Pro Tips for Booking Around the Salmon Run
✅ Early July = Fastest Sockeye Limits
✅ August = Epic Silver Salmon Strike Action
✅ Late August = Add trout to the mix for a combo trip
✅ Week overlap = Book a 2-day combo trip for both species
🧰 What’s Included on Every Trip with Kenai Fly Fish
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✅ Licensed, local guide
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✅ Drift or power boat access
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✅ All rods, reels, waders, and tackle
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✅ Fish filleting and cooler prep
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✅ Optional meals and flexible start times
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✅ All you bring: license, warm layers & sunglasses
🐾 Experience the Run — Not Just the Catch
A trip with Kenai Fly Fish is more than just fishing.
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🦅 Spot bald eagles along the trees
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🐻 Watch for bears chasing salmon
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🏔️ Drift past glaciers and forested mountains
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📸 Take home photos you’ll brag about for life
🎣 Book Your 2025 Kenai Salmon Trip Today
Spots for peak salmon weeks are already filling for July and August 2025. Let us help you choose the best dates and customize your perfect Alaskan fishing experience.
👉 Book now at Kenai Fly Fish – Let’s fish the run together.
