July is the busiest, fishiest month of the year on the Kenai Peninsula—and for good reason. This is the heart of Alaska’s salmon season. The Kenai River explodes with sockeye, the Kasilof offers your last shot at harvestable kings, and rainbow trout are feasting in every seam.
Whether you’re chasing your first salmon or building your freezer stash, July in Alaska delivers the high-octane action you came for.
🔴 Sockeye Salmon – The Meat Run Is On
📅 Season: June 11 – August 15
📈 Peak: July 15 – 31
The second run of sockeye surges through the Kenai River in July, bringing 50,000–100,000 fish per day during peak weeks. It’s fast, fun, and built for full coolers.
📍 Where We Fish:
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Lower and Middle Kenai River
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Jet boat access to the best travel lanes and gravel bars
🎣 Techniques:
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Flossing and drift casting from boat or shore
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High repetition = high success
✅ Perfect for meat hunters, fast-paced groups, and anyone who wants to fish hard and go home happy.
🟠 Kasilof Kings – Final Days for Hatchery Harvest
📅 Season Ends: July 15
The Kasilof River offers one of Alaska’s last legal opportunities to harvest hatchery king salmon. These fish can reach 25–35 pounds and fight like freight trains.
📍 Where We Fish:
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Drift-boat-only water = quiet, scenic, and motor-free
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Early morning floats through deep holding water
🎣 Techniques:
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Back-bouncing, plug pulling, and bait drifting
✅ Book early July if you want one last shot at a Kenai Peninsula king.
⚠️ Note: King salmon fishing on the Kenai River is closed in 2025, but Kasilof hatchery kings are still in play through mid-July.
🟡 Pink Salmon – Even Years Only (Next Run: 2026)
📅 Late July – August (Even Years Only)
Not for 2025, but if you’re planning ahead for 2026, know this:
Pink salmon come in by the millions and are perfect for kids, new anglers, and light-tackle fun.
🟢 Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden – Steady Summer Bite
📅 Season: June 11 – November 30
📈 Strong All Month
With salmon starting to spawn, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden feed on eggs, insects, and early-season flesh, providing consistent catch-and-release action all July long.
📍 Where We Fish:
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Middle and Upper Kenai
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Float trips for fly or spin anglers
🎣 Techniques:
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Beads, flesh flies, and small jigs
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Indicator nymphing and light spinning gear
✅ A relaxing counterbalance to sockeye chaos—great as a standalone or combo float.
🧊 July = Peak Alaska Fishing Energy
🧺 Freezer-filling sockeye runs
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly fishing for all skill levels
🎣 Fly fishing for trout and late-run kings
📷 Stunning wildlife and fireweed in bloom
☀️ Up to 20 hours of daylight for max flexibility
Whether you’re after adrenaline, scenery, or solitude, July has it all.
📞 Lock In Your July Fishing Trip Now
Half-day, full-day, and multi-day packages available. Our July dates fill fast with returning guests—don’t miss your window.
📞 Call Ian: (907) 301-6957
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: kenaiflyfish.com
📲 Instagram & Facebook: @kenaiflyfish
