First Time Fishing Alaska? June Is the Best Month to Start!

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If you’ve always dreamed of fishing in Alaska but aren’t sure when to go, here’s our honest advice: June is the sweet spot—especially for first-time anglers, families, and travelers looking for the full Alaskan experience without the peak-season crowds.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we’ve guided thousands of first-time anglers through their first sockeye salmon fight or rainbow trout hookup, and there’s no better month to break into Alaska fishing than June.


🌿 Why June Is Perfect for New Anglers

Let’s break it down—June offers the best mix of fish, comfort, and flexibility:

  • Sockeye salmon begin their run around June 11—they’re strong, plentiful, and great for the grill

  • Rainbow trout & Dolly Varden season opens the same week—ideal for fly or light spinning gear

  • Cooler mornings, warmer days—less rain, fewer bugs

  • Less fishing pressure than July—more space and solitude on the water

  • Wildlife viewing is peaking—moose, bears, bald eagles, oh my!

For folks who’ve never cast a line in Alaska before, June provides a more relaxed, scenic, and successful introduction to these legendary waters.


🧭 What Kind of Trip Should You Choose?

At Kenai Fly Fish, we make your trip simple, smooth, and personalized—no experience needed. We’ll help you choose the right river, right trip length, and right gear for your first time on the water.

🛶 Drift Boat Trip on the Kasilof

  • Quiet, motor-free float

  • Great for sockeye fishing and soaking in nature

  • Perfect for first-timers and families with kids

⚡ Power Boat Trip on the Kenai

  • More ground covered—great for chasing trout or sockeye

  • Action-packed and high energy

  • Good for folks wanting maximum fish time

⏱️ Choose Your Duration

  • Half-day (4-5 hrs): Just enough time to get hooked

  • 3/4-day or Full-day (6–8 hrs): Go all-in with salmon and trout targets

  • Custom group trips: We’ll make it fit your crew’s vibe


🎒 What’s Included? Everything.

We take care of the gear so you can just show up and fish.

✅ All rods, reels, tackle, and bait
✅ Waders and boots
✅ Safety equipment and instruction
✅ Expert, friendly guide (Ian’s been at it 19 years!)
✅ Fish filleting included (for sockeye harvest)
✅ Launch site coordination based on conditions

You don’t need to bring anything except a good attitude—and maybe a camera.


🐟 June Fishing FAQ for First-Time Visitors

Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, but we’ll help you get it online before your trip.

Can I bring kids?
Absolutely—June is a great time for kids to catch their first fish!

Will I catch fish?
We can’t guarantee it—but June offers some of the most consistent sockeye action of the season, and trout fishing is prime.

What if I’ve never fished before?
No problem. We’ll walk you through every cast, net every fish, and cheer louder than anyone when you land your first sockeye.


Kenai, Alaska

🏞️ More Than Just Fishing

Your trip with Kenai Fly Fish isn’t just about fish—it’s about the full Alaska experience.

  • Bald eagles overhead

  • Moose along the shoreline

  • Glacial rivers flowing beneath snow-covered peaks

  • Clean air, big sky, and peaceful moments

It’s a chance to disconnect and truly be present—something every first-timer remembers forever.


📅 Ready to Book Your First Trip?

Spots are going fast for June 2025, and we’d love to be part of your first Alaska fishing story.

📞 Call or text Ian at (907) 301-6957
🌐 Book online at kenaiflyfish.com
📩 Email: [email protected]
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @kenaiflyfish


🐟 Make 2025 the Year You Finally Fish Alaska

You don’t need experience. You don’t need a fancy cast. You just need the desire to explore, fish, and take the leap.

And June is the time to do it.
Let Kenai Fly Fish show you 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