The turquoise Kenai River winding through a spruce canyon

Alaska trip planning · Kenai River

Alaska Salmon Run Timing: Your Kenai River Season, May to October

Wild salmon come home to the Kenai Peninsula in waves, and every wave has a schedule. Here is that schedule, built from 10 seasons of daily fish counts, and how we fish it, month by month.

See the seasonCheck dates

The short answer: come in the second half of July for sockeye by the boatload, in August and September for silver salmon and trophy rainbow trout, and any time from May 15 to September 30 for halibut. June brings the longest days of the year and the first bears, and there is always something to catch: our season runs from May 15 to October 1.

  • Jul 23–Jul 29Kenai sockeye peak week
  • Jul 16–Jul 22Kasilof sockeye peak week
  • Jun 20–Jun 26Russian River early run peak
  • Aug 21 · Sep 21Silver salmon: two runs, two peaks
  • Aug 8–Sep 30Best dates for trophy rainbows
  • 19h 04mDaylight on June 21
The whole season on one pageEvery counted salmon run near us, and every trip we book, from May through October. The thin lines mark our season: May 15 to October 1.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Peak (our guides)
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Kenai River sockeyePeak week Jul 23–Jul 29
  3. Kasilof River sockeyePeak week Jul 16–Jul 22
  4. Russian River sockeye, early runPeak week Jun 20–Jun 26
  5. Russian River sockeye, late runPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10
  6. Kenai kings, early runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  7. Kenai kings, late runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  8. Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Counted upstream at a tributary weir, so later than the fishing
  9. Our trips and dates
  10. Kenai River sockeye fishingAs early as July 1, usually from about July 8, sometimes to August 30: every year is different
  11. Kasilof River sockeye fishingJune 11 to as late as August 16
  12. Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15 to June 30; best May 15 to June 11
  13. Silver salmonAugust 1 to September 30: two runs, peaking around August 21 and September 21
  14. Trophy rainbow troutOpen from June 11; best August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release
  15. Kasilof steelheadFrom August 10, catch-and-release
  16. Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Late July to mid-September in 2028, 2030, 2032…
  17. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  18. Bears
  19. Bears: Big River LakesFly-out bear viewing and fishing, June 10 to August 31
  20. Bears: Crescent LakeFly-out bear viewing and fishing, July 15 to September 30
  21. Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiFly-out, June 1 to September 17; bears at the falls best in July
  22. Wildlife and tours
  23. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  24. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  25. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  26. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
The season at a glance
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Kenai River sockeyeJul 1–Aug 19Jul 23–Jul 29Jul 28ADF&G count
Kasilof River sockeyeJun 15–Aug 14Jul 16–Jul 22Jul 20ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, early runJun 7–Jul 14Jun 20–Jun 26Jun 25ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, late runJul 15–Sep 5Aug 4–Aug 10Aug 8ADF&G count
Kenai kings, early runMay 18–Jun 30Jun 9–Jun 15Jun 12Closed most recent years
Kenai kings, late runJul 1–Aug 20Jul 28–Aug 3Jul 27Closed most recent years
Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Jun 6–Aug 5Jul 4–Jul 10Jul 8ADF&G count
Kenai River sockeye fishingJul 1–Aug 30Jul 8–Aug 30—Our dates
Kasilof River sockeye fishingJun 11–Aug 16——Our dates
Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15–Jun 30May 15–Jun 11—Our dates
Silver salmonAug 1–Sep 30Aug 21, Sep 21—Our dates
Trophy rainbow troutJun 11–Sep 30Aug 8–Sep 30—Our dates
Kasilof steelheadAug 10–Sep 30——Our dates
Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Jul 25–Sep 15——Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Big River LakesJun 10–Aug 31——Our dates
Bears: Crescent LakeJul 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiJun 1–Sep 17Jul 1–Jul 31—Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years

Why the Kenai

How many fish are we talking about?

Fish and Game counts these runs one fish at a time, with sonar on the Kenai and the Kasilof and a weir on the Russian. Over the 2016–2025 seasons an average of 1,986,461 sockeye swam past the Kenai counter each summer, nearly 2 million fish in roughly seven weeks. On the run's busiest days the counter averages more than 68,000 sockeye a day. The record day in the last 15 seasons was July 27, 2025: 249,944 sockeye in 24 hours.

That is the river at the bottom of our property, ten minutes from Soldotna: our cabins and suites sit right on the bank of the Kenai. The Kasilof, with a sockeye run of its own averaging 658,996, is the next river south.

Kenai Riverside cabins on the bank of the Kenai River, seen from the air
Our cabins on the Kenai: the run swims past the front yard.
Fish past the counter on the run's busiest dayThe average peak day of each run, 2016–2025: a 7-day average, so single record days run higher.
  1. Kenai sockeye68,433
  2. Kasilof sockeye20,869
  3. Russian sockeye, late run2,819
  4. Russian sockeye, early run2,189
  5. Kenai kings, late run376
  6. Kenai kings, early run137
  7. Kasilof kings (weir)40

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons.

Show the numbers
Average fish counted on the peak day
RunAverage peak dayBusiest single day on record
Kenai sockeye68,433249,944 (Jul 27, 2025)
Kasilof sockeye20,869145,582 (Jul 24, 2026)
Russian sockeye, late run2,81910,621 (Aug 5, 2023)
Russian sockeye, early run2,1898,209 (Jun 12, 2019)
Kenai kings, late run3761,026 (Jul 24, 2015)
Kenai kings, early run137374 (Jun 14, 2017)
Kasilof kings (weir)40301 (Jul 7, 2016)
Sockeye counted per day, on an average summerEvery day from June 1 to September 10, averaged over the 2016–2025 seasons. Same scale for all three rivers.
  • Kenai sockeye
  • Kasilof sockeye
  • Russian sockeye (early + late run)
020k40k60k80kJun 1Jun 15Jul 1Jul 15Aug 1Aug 15Sep 1Russian late run counted from Jul 15Kenai sockeyeKasilof sockeyeRussian sockeye (early + late run)
020k40k60k80kJun 1Jul 1Aug 1Sep 1

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Average fish counted per day (7-day average).

Show the numbers
Sockeye counted per day, on an average summer
Week ofKenai sockeyeKasilof sockeyeRussian sockeye (early + late run)
Jun 1———
Jun 8——288
Jun 15—2,7781,515
Jun 22—6,4262,180
Jun 29—8,6771,708
Jul 613,49011,7991,167
Jul 1321,88711,757568
Jul 2060,11720,120971
Jul 2767,51515,5801,444
Aug 350,8069,2132,458
Aug 1033,4925,1172,544
Aug 1725,9842,0361,947
Aug 248,4226401,378
Aug 31——856
Sep 7——235

The honest part

Wild fish don't send RSVPs

These are wild animals. No hatchery sets their schedule and no one sets their numbers. Some years the Kenai's run is enormous: in 2025 it was 4,286,091 sockeye, the most in the last 15 seasons. Some years it is lighter. 2026 was one of the lighter years: 1,111,781 sockeye, 44% below the 2016–2025 average and the second-lowest of the last 15.

Here is what a "light" year on the Kenai looks like: 41 days of counting averaging about 27,000 sockeye a day, a total that landed inside Fish and Game's goal range of 750,000–1,300,000, and July 24 alone brought 171,844 fish past the counter. The same day the Kasilof counted another 145,582: 317,426 sockeye into two rivers in one day.

And the Kasilof had one of its best seasons ever: 1,055,565 sockeye, 60% above its average. That is why we fish more than one river. When one run is late or light, another is usually right on time, and our guides go where the fish are.

4,286,091Kenai sockeye in 2025, the most in 15 seasons

1,986,461Kenai average, 2016–2025: what normal looks like

1,111,781Kenai in 2026, a light year, inside the goal range

1,055,565Kasilof in 2026, 60% above its average

Kenai River sockeye, every season since 2012Fish counted each season. The line is the 2016–2025 average; the band is Fish and Game's goal range.
01M2M3M4M5MADF&G goal10-season average 2.0M’13’15’17’19’21’23’254.3M’261.1M
Show the numbers
Kenai River sockeye, every season since 2012
SeasonFish countedAgainst the ADF&G goal
20121,581,555Above
20131,359,893Above
20141,523,155Above
20151,709,053Above
20161,383,692Above
20171,308,498Above
20181,035,761Within
20191,849,054Above
20201,714,565Above
20212,441,825Above
20221,567,750Above
20232,351,020Above
20241,926,350Above
20254,286,091Above
20261,111,781Within
Kasilof River sockeye, every season since 2012The Kasilof's runs have grown: the last five seasons were its five biggest of these 15.
0250k500k750k1M1.3MADF&G goal10-season average 659k’13’15’17’19’21’23’251.2M’261.1M
Show the numbers
Kasilof River sockeye, every season since 2012
SeasonFish countedAgainst the ADF&G goal
2012374,523Above
2013489,654Above
2014439,977Above
2015470,679Above
2016239,981Within
2017358,724Above
2018394,309Above
2019378,416Above
2020545,654Above
2021521,859Above
2022971,604Above
2023932,896Above
20241,048,092Above
20251,198,423Above
20261,055,565Above

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Daily counts for every run · Kenai sockeye counts · Kasilof sockeye counts

Snow-covered Mount Redoubt across Cook Inlet

01 · May

May: the river wakes up

Our season opens May 15. The ice is long gone, the cottonwoods are leafing out, the volcanoes across Cook Inlet still wear their snow, and you will have the river nearly to yourself.

  • May 15our season opens: river trips and Homer halibut
  • 17h 11mof daylight on the 15th (sunrise 5:25 am, sunset 10:36 pm)
  • Quietthe least crowded weeks of the summer
  • May 18Kenai early-run kings usually first counted

What's running

  • Kings, when they're open. King salmon are in trouble across Alaska, and the Kenai has been closed to kings most recent years. When Fish and Game opens a king season, we fish it. Kenai early-run kings are usually counted from May 18, with a peak week of Jun 9–Jun 15. On the Kasilof our best king dates are May 15 to June 11. More on Kenai kings · Kasilof kings
  • Halibut. Homer halibut charters run from May 15. Halibut trips
  • Wildlife and scenery. May is a fine month for the trips that don't depend on a fish count: fjord and glacier tours, hiking, and moose in camp. Wildlife and scenery
May, day by dayEverything in season in May, day by day.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Kenai kings, early runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  3. Our trips and dates
  4. Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15 to June 30; best May 15 to June 11
  5. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  6. Wildlife and tours
  7. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  8. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  9. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  10. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
In season in May
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Kenai kings, early runMay 18–Jun 30Jun 9–Jun 15Jun 12Closed most recent years
Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15–Jun 30May 15–Jun 11—Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years
When the early-run kings come inKenai early-run kings counted per day, averaged over 2016–2025. Closed most recent years; we fish them when Fish and Game opens them.
  • Kenai kings, early run
050100150May 15Jun 1Jun 15Jul 1Kenai kings, early run
050100150Jun 1Jul 1

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Average fish counted per day (7-day average).

Show the numbers
When the early-run kings come in
Week ofKenai kings, early run
May 15—
May 2215
May 2956
Jun 5116
Jun 12137
Jun 1990
Jun 2678
Jul 3—
A guest holding a big Kenai River king salmon in the boat
An angler holding up a halibut nearly as tall as he is
Two halibut held up on the dock after a charter

May is for you if you want quiet water, halibut, and a first look at Alaska before the summer crowds arrive.

A couple watching a late-evening sunset over the Kenai River

02 · June

June: midnight sun and the first sockeye

The longest days of the year: 19h 04m of sunlight on June 21, and the twilight in between never gets truly dark. Fish after dinner, then fish some more.

  • Jun 20–Jun 26Russian River early-run peak week (30% of the run)
  • Jun 11Kasilof sockeye trips start; Kenai trout season opens
  • Jun 10Big River Lakes bear fly-outs begin
  • 18h 59mof daylight on the 15th (sunrise 4:35 am, sunset 11:34 pm)

What's running

  • Russian River sockeye, early run. The first big sockeye of the year, bound for the Russian River and the upper Kenai. The early run is usually counted from Jun 7; its peak week is Jun 20–Jun 26. Fishing the Russian is a great unscheduled day, and you can do it without a guide. Russian River counts
  • Kasilof sockeye. Our Kasilof sockeye trips start June 11 and the run builds all month (counts usually start around Jun 15).
  • Rainbow trout. The Kenai's trout season opens June 11.
  • Bears. Fly-out bear viewing and fishing at Big River Lakes runs from June 10 to August 31. Big River Lakes
  • Halibut is in full swing in Homer.
How much fishing light you getSunrise to sunset in Soldotna, every day from May through October (Alaska Daylight Time). Gold is daylight.
6 amnoon6 pmmidnightMayJunJulAugSepOctJune 21: 19h 04m
6 amnoon6 pmmidnightMayJunJulAugSepOctJune 21: 19h 04m

Computed for Soldotna (60.49° N) with NOAA's solar equations; twilight adds usable light at both ends.

Show the numbers
Daylight in Soldotna on the 15th of each month
DateSunriseSunsetDaylight
May 155:25 am10:36 pm17h 11m
June 154:35 am11:34 pm18h 59m
July 155:01 am11:19 pm18h 17m
August 156:14 am10:04 pm15h 50m
September 157:29 am8:30 pm13h 01m
October 158:42 am6:58 pm10h 16m
June, day by dayEverything in season in June, day by day.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Kasilof River sockeyePeak week Jul 16–Jul 22
  3. Russian River sockeye, early runPeak week Jun 20–Jun 26
  4. Kenai kings, early runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  5. Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Counted upstream at a tributary weir, so later than the fishing
  6. Our trips and dates
  7. Kasilof River sockeye fishingJune 11 to as late as August 16
  8. Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15 to June 30; best May 15 to June 11
  9. Trophy rainbow troutOpen from June 11; best August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release
  10. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  11. Bears
  12. Bears: Big River LakesFly-out bear viewing and fishing, June 10 to August 31
  13. Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiFly-out, June 1 to September 17; bears at the falls best in July
  14. Wildlife and tours
  15. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  16. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  17. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  18. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
In season in June
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Kasilof River sockeyeJun 15–Aug 14Jul 16–Jul 22Jul 20ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, early runJun 7–Jul 14Jun 20–Jun 26Jun 25ADF&G count
Kenai kings, early runMay 18–Jun 30Jun 9–Jun 15Jun 12Closed most recent years
Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Jun 6–Aug 5Jul 4–Jul 10Jul 8ADF&G count
Kasilof River sockeye fishingJun 11–Aug 16——Our dates
Kasilof kings (when ADF&G opens them)May 15–Jun 30May 15–Jun 11—Our dates
Trophy rainbow troutJun 11–Sep 30Aug 8–Sep 30—Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Big River LakesJun 10–Aug 31——Our dates
Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiJun 1–Sep 17Jul 1–Jul 31—Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years
The first sockeye of the yearRussian River early-run sockeye counted per day at the weir, averaged over 2016–2025. These fish swim up the Kenai to get there.
  • Russian sockeye, early run
05001k1.5k2k2.5kJun 1Jun 15Jul 1Jul 15Russian sockeye, early run
05001k1.5k2k2.5kJun 1Jul 1

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Average fish counted per day (7-day average).

Show the numbers
The first sockeye of the year
Week ofRussian sockeye, early run
Jun 1—
Jun 8288
Jun 151,515
Jun 222,180
Jun 291,708
Jul 61,167
Jul 13568
Three anglers in waders kneeling behind a line of Russian River sockeye
A brown bear sow with cubs on a rock at Big River Lakes
A family in waders with their sockeye in the Russian River

June is for you if you want long days, a mix of salmon, halibut and bears, and room on the river before the July rush. It is a wonderful month for families.

Guests sitting on the bank behind a pile of fresh sockeye

03 · July

July: the main event

This is the month the Kenai is famous for. The Kenai's sockeye run is usually counted from Jul 1, and in most years half of it has passed between Jul 23 and Aug 3. The Kasilof peaks a week earlier, so the second half of July has two big runs at once.

  • Jul 23–Jul 29Kenai sockeye peak week: 23% of the run on average
  • Jul 16–Jul 22Kasilof sockeye peak week (20%)
  • 68,000+Kenai sockeye a day at the average peak
  • Busiestthe busiest month on the river: book early

What's running

  • Kenai River sockeye. The heart of the season. Sockeye travel close to the bank in a steady line, so the work is finding the right lane and keeping your line in it, and your guide does the hard parts. First-timers and kids do well on a sockeye day. Sockeye fishing
  • Kasilof River sockeye. Peak week Jul 16–Jul 22, and in most years half the run has passed between Jul 17 and Jul 20.
  • Russian River, late run. Counted from July 15, peaking Aug 4–Aug 10.
  • Kenai late-run kings follow the sockeye, peaking Jul 28–Aug 3. Closed most recent years; we fish them when open.
  • Pink salmon start showing in late July in even-numbered years (2028, 2030, 2032…), by the millions. Pink salmon
  • Bears. Big River Lakes is in its best stretch, and Crescent Lake fly-outs start July 15. Crescent Lake
Two runs, one monthSockeye counted per day on the Kenai and the Kasilof, averaged over 2016–2025. July is shaded.
  • Kenai sockeye
  • Kasilof sockeye
020k40k60k80kJul 1Jul 15Aug 1Aug 15Kenai sockeyeKasilof sockeye
020k40k60k80kJul 1Aug 1

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Average fish counted per day (7-day average).

Show the numbers
Two runs, one month
Week ofKenai sockeyeKasilof sockeye
Jun 20—5,912
Jun 27—7,945
Jul 49,71410,448
Jul 1119,21011,359
Jul 1853,00720,767
Jul 2567,16516,364
Aug 153,40810,026
Aug 838,0286,355
Aug 1529,4032,576
Aug 2212,333947
July, day by dayEverything in season in July, day by day.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Kenai River sockeyePeak week Jul 23–Jul 29
  3. Kasilof River sockeyePeak week Jul 16–Jul 22
  4. Russian River sockeye, early runPeak week Jun 20–Jun 26
  5. Russian River sockeye, late runPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10
  6. Kenai kings, late runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  7. Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Counted upstream at a tributary weir, so later than the fishing
  8. Our trips and dates
  9. Kenai River sockeye fishingAs early as July 1, usually from about July 8, sometimes to August 30: every year is different
  10. Kasilof River sockeye fishingJune 11 to as late as August 16
  11. Trophy rainbow troutOpen from June 11; best August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release
  12. Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Late July to mid-September in 2028, 2030, 2032…
  13. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  14. Bears
  15. Bears: Big River LakesFly-out bear viewing and fishing, June 10 to August 31
  16. Bears: Crescent LakeFly-out bear viewing and fishing, July 15 to September 30
  17. Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiFly-out, June 1 to September 17; bears at the falls best in July
  18. Wildlife and tours
  19. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  20. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  21. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  22. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
In season in July
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Kenai River sockeyeJul 1–Aug 19Jul 23–Jul 29Jul 28ADF&G count
Kasilof River sockeyeJun 15–Aug 14Jul 16–Jul 22Jul 20ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, early runJun 7–Jul 14Jun 20–Jun 26Jun 25ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, late runJul 15–Sep 5Aug 4–Aug 10Aug 8ADF&G count
Kenai kings, late runJul 1–Aug 20Jul 28–Aug 3Jul 27Closed most recent years
Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Jun 6–Aug 5Jul 4–Jul 10Jul 8ADF&G count
Kenai River sockeye fishingJul 1–Aug 30Jul 8–Aug 30—Our dates
Kasilof River sockeye fishingJun 11–Aug 16——Our dates
Trophy rainbow troutJun 11–Sep 30Aug 8–Sep 30—Our dates
Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Jul 25–Sep 15——Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Big River LakesJun 10–Aug 31——Our dates
Bears: Crescent LakeJul 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiJun 1–Sep 17Jul 1–Jul 31—Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years
July 24, 2026

171,844 sockeye past the Kenai counter and 145,582 past the Kasilof's: 317,426 fish in one day, in a year the Kenai ran light.

Kenai Riverside guests with a fan of sockeye salmon on the gravel
A guide holding up a big bright Kenai River sockeye
Magenta fireweed in bloom in front of snowy peaks

July is for you if you want to take home fish, see the Kenai at its most alive, and don't mind company on the river. Plan early: the second half of July is the busiest stretch of the whole summer.

Two anglers holding bright silver salmon in a drift boat

04 · August

August: the changing of the guard

The sockeye wind down, the silvers arrive, and the rainbows that have spent all summer feeding on salmon start to get big. August gives you the most variety of any month.

  • Aug 1silver salmon trips start on the Kenai and Kasilof
  • Aug 8best trophy trout dates begin
  • ~Aug 21first silver run peaks
  • Aug 10Kasilof steelhead and our Fall Salmon & Trout package start

What's running

  • Silver salmon (coho). The first run shows in early August and peaks around August 21. Silvers are acrobats: they jump, run and fight like fish twice their size. Silver salmon fishing
  • Trophy rainbow trout. From August 8 the Kenai's rainbows are fat on salmon eggs and flesh. Catch-and-release. Trout fishing
  • The last sockeye. The Kenai count usually runs to about Aug 19, and the Russian's late run peaks Aug 4–Aug 10.
  • Kasilof steelhead from August 10, catch-and-release.
  • Pinks fill the river in even-numbered years (2028, 2030, 2032…). Great fun for kids.
  • Bears at both Big River Lakes (to August 31) and Crescent Lake.
The sockeye wind downSockeye counted per day, averaged over 2016–2025. Silvers and trout aren't counted on the Kenai; their dates are in the calendar below.
  • Kenai sockeye
  • Russian sockeye, late run
020k40k60k80kJul 15Aug 1Aug 15Sep 1Kenai sockeyeRussian sockeye, late run
020k40k60k80kAug 1Sep 1

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Average fish counted per day (7-day average).

Show the numbers
The sockeye wind down
Week ofKenai sockeyeRussian sockeye, late run
Jul 1532,458479
Jul 2263,161954
Jul 2963,6661,696
Aug 547,8382,775
Aug 1229,8792,336
Aug 1921,2211,767
Aug 265,0621,243
Sep 2—687
Sep 9—104
August, day by dayEverything in season in August, day by day.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Peak (our guides)
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Kenai River sockeyePeak week Jul 23–Jul 29
  3. Kasilof River sockeyePeak week Jul 16–Jul 22
  4. Russian River sockeye, late runPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10
  5. Kenai kings, late runClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
  6. Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Counted upstream at a tributary weir, so later than the fishing
  7. Our trips and dates
  8. Kenai River sockeye fishingAs early as July 1, usually from about July 8, sometimes to August 30: every year is different
  9. Kasilof River sockeye fishingJune 11 to as late as August 16
  10. Silver salmonAugust 1 to September 30: two runs, peaking around August 21 and September 21
  11. Trophy rainbow troutOpen from June 11; best August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release
  12. Kasilof steelheadFrom August 10, catch-and-release
  13. Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Late July to mid-September in 2028, 2030, 2032…
  14. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  15. Bears
  16. Bears: Big River LakesFly-out bear viewing and fishing, June 10 to August 31
  17. Bears: Crescent LakeFly-out bear viewing and fishing, July 15 to September 30
  18. Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiFly-out, June 1 to September 17; bears at the falls best in July
  19. Wildlife and tours
  20. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  21. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  22. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  23. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
In season in August
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Kenai River sockeyeJul 1–Aug 19Jul 23–Jul 29Jul 28ADF&G count
Kasilof River sockeyeJun 15–Aug 14Jul 16–Jul 22Jul 20ADF&G count
Russian River sockeye, late runJul 15–Sep 5Aug 4–Aug 10Aug 8ADF&G count
Kenai kings, late runJul 1–Aug 20Jul 28–Aug 3Jul 27Closed most recent years
Kasilof king count (Crooked Creek weir)Jun 6–Aug 5Jul 4–Jul 10Jul 8ADF&G count
Kenai River sockeye fishingJul 1–Aug 30Jul 8–Aug 30—Our dates
Kasilof River sockeye fishingJun 11–Aug 16——Our dates
Silver salmonAug 1–Sep 30Aug 21, Sep 21—Our dates
Trophy rainbow troutJun 11–Sep 30Aug 8–Sep 30—Our dates
Kasilof steelheadAug 10–Sep 30——Our dates
Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Jul 25–Sep 15——Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Big River LakesJun 10–Aug 31——Our dates
Bears: Crescent LakeJul 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiJun 1–Sep 17Jul 1–Jul 31—Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years
Two anglers with a silver salmon on the Kenai River
An angler holding a heavily spotted Kenai River rainbow trout
Two anglers with a humpbacked pink salmon

August is for you if you want a bit of everything: the end of the sockeye, the start of the silvers, big trout, bears and halibut, with the July crowds thinning out.

The upper Kenai River in fall color near Cooper Landing

05 · September

September: silver, gold and big trout

Our guides' favorite month. The birches and cottonwoods turn gold, the fireweed goes red, the second run of silvers comes in strong, and the river is quiet again.

  • ~Sep 21second silver run peaks
  • Sep 30last day for trout, silvers, halibut and Crescent Lake bears
  • 13h 01mof daylight on the 15th: still a long fishing day
  • Quietfewer boats than any time since May

What's running

  • Silver salmon, second run. It enters the river in late August and builds through September, peaking around September 21. These are some of the strongest silvers of the year. Silver salmon fishing
  • Trophy rainbow trout. The Kenai's trout are at their heaviest. Few rivers anywhere grow native rainbows this big. Trout fishing
  • Kasilof steelhead, catch-and-release, through September 30.
  • Halibut through September 30, and the Russian River silvers peak Aug 27–Sep 2.
  • Bears at Crescent Lake through September 30.
September, day by dayEverything in season in September, day by day.
  • Usual counting season
  • Middle half of the run
  • Peak week
  • Halfway day
  • Our dates (not counted)
  • Our season: May 15–Oct 1
  • Best dates
  • Peak (our guides)
  • Closed most recent years
  • Kenai Kasilof Russian
  1. Salmon runs (counted)
  2. Russian River sockeye, late runPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10
  3. Our trips and dates
  4. Silver salmonAugust 1 to September 30: two runs, peaking around August 21 and September 21
  5. Trophy rainbow troutOpen from June 11; best August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release
  6. Kasilof steelheadFrom August 10, catch-and-release
  7. Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Late July to mid-September in 2028, 2030, 2032…
  8. Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30
  9. Bears
  10. Bears: Crescent LakeFly-out bear viewing and fishing, July 15 to September 30
  11. Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiFly-out, June 1 to September 17; bears at the falls best in July
  12. Wildlife and tours
  13. Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseGlaciers, whales and sea life out of Seward, mid-May to about September 20
  14. Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierGuided ice hiking near Seward, May 21 to September 15
  15. Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundOut of Whittier, May to September, weather permitting
  16. Clam diggingClosed most years; when open, any -3 ft tide through September 30, by chartered boat across the bay

Counts: ADF&G preliminary daily counts as published by Alaska FishTopia; timing from the 2016–2025 seasons. Our dates: the seasons we book.

Show the numbers
In season in September
Run or tripSeasonPeak / bestHalfwaySource
Russian River sockeye, late runJul 15–Sep 5Aug 4–Aug 10Aug 8ADF&G count
Silver salmonAug 1–Sep 30Aug 21, Sep 21—Our dates
Trophy rainbow troutJun 11–Sep 30Aug 8–Sep 30—Our dates
Kasilof steelheadAug 10–Sep 30——Our dates
Pink salmon (even-numbered years)Jul 25–Sep 15——Our dates
Homer halibutMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Crescent LakeJul 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Bears: Brooks Falls, KatmaiJun 1–Sep 17Jul 1–Jul 31—Our dates
Kenai Fjords National Park cruiseMay 15–Sep 20——Our dates
Glacier hiking, Exit GlacierMay 21–Sep 15——Our dates
Glacier jet ski, Prince William SoundMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates
Clam diggingMay 15–Sep 30——Our dates; closed most years
A big Kenai rainbow trout held in the water before release
A September rainbow, back in the river a moment later.
A guide kneeling in the river with a Kasilof steelhead
Kasilof steelhead: the overlooked fall fishery.

September is for you if you want hard-fighting silvers, the biggest trout of the year, fall color and a quiet river.

Whitewater in the Kenai River canyon

06 · October

October: last casts, first plans

Our guided season closes October 1. The last silvers are still in the river, the first snow is on the mountains, and it is the best time to start planning next summer.

  • Oct 1our guided season closes
  • 10h 16mof daylight on the 15th (sunrise 8:42 am, sunset 6:58 pm)
  • Julythe busiest weeks: the first dates to plan around
  • Sepquiet water, silvers and big trout

Planning your trip

  • Pick your goal first. Sockeye for the freezer? Plan for the second half of July. Silvers and trout? Late August and September. A first trip with the family? June through August gives you everything at once. The grid below lays it out.
  • Book July early. It is the busiest month on the river and the second half of July is the most asked-for stretch of the summer.
  • Leave a day open. Wild runs move a few days either way. An unscheduled day lets us put you on whatever is hot that week.
  • Watch the counts as your trip gets close. Our fish count pages and the Alaska FishTopia app show every run day by day, all season.
Pick your month by what you want mostOur guides' read of each month for each goal, May 15 to the close of our season on October 1.
If you want…MayJunJulAugSep
Fill the freezer with sockeyeKenai and Kasilof peaks in the second half of July—GoodBestGood—
Silver salmonTwo runs, peaking around August 21 and September 21——PossibleBestBest
Trophy rainbow troutOpen June 11; best August 8 to September 30—PossiblePossibleBestBest
Homer halibutMay 15 to September 30GoodBestBestBestGood
Bears on a fly-outBig River Lakes from June 10; Crescent Lake from July 15—GoodBestBestGood
A first Alaska trip with the familyLong days, many species, everything openPossibleBestBestBestGood
Fewer people on the riverBefore the July rush and after itBestGoodPossibleGoodBest
  • Best
  • Good
  • Possible
  • Not in season
Kenai Riverside cabins above the riverbank, seen from the water
The Kenai River seen from a cabin porch at Kenai Riverside
The fish cleaning station and fishing dock on our riverbank

Questions

Alaska salmon run timing questions

When is the best time to fish for salmon on the Kenai River?

It depends on the fish. For sockeye, the second half of July: the Kenai's peak week is Jul 23–Jul 29 on average. For silver salmon, August and September, with peaks around August 21 and September 21. For trophy rainbow trout, August 8 to September 30. Our season runs May 15 to October 1.

When do sockeye run on the Kenai River?

The Kenai's main sockeye run is usually counted from Jul 1 to Aug 19. In most years half of it has passed between Jul 23 and Aug 3, and the peak week carries about 23% of the run. The Russian River's early run comes first, peaking Jun 20–Jun 26, and the Kasilof peaks Jul 16–Jul 22.

How many sockeye come up the Kenai River?

An average of 1,986,461 a season over 2016–2025, counted by sonar. The most in the last 15 seasons was 4,286,091 in 2025, and the busiest single day was July 27, 2025, with 249,944 fish.

Can I fish for king salmon on the Kenai?

King salmon are in trouble across Alaska, and the Kenai has been closed to kings most recent years. When Fish and Game opens a king season, we fish it; when it doesn't, we fish sockeye, silvers, trout and halibut.

What happens if the run is late or small?

Wild runs vary, so we fish more than one river. In 2026 the Kenai's sockeye run was light at 1,111,781, while the Kasilof's was 60% above its average at 1,055,565. Leaving a day open in your trip lets us follow the fish.

When are pink salmon in the Kenai River?

Pink salmon run in the Kenai in even-numbered years (2028, 2030, 2032…), from late July into September, and they come by the millions.

Where do these numbers come from?

From Alaska Department of Fish and Game's preliminary daily counts (sonar on the Kenai and Kasilof, weirs on the Russian River and Crooked Creek), as published by Alaska FishTopia. The timing is the average of the 2016–2025 seasons. Silvers, trout, halibut and bears aren't counted, so for those we show the dates we fish them.

More planning: our guides · what to bring · fishing licenses · Fish and Game regulations · Kenai River fish counts · king counts · silver salmon counts

Run timing is an average: any one year can come a week or so early or late, and Fish and Game can change seasons and limits by emergency order. Check the current regulations before you fish.

The upper Kenai River in fall color near Cooper Landing

The fish keep their schedule. Let us keep yours.

Tell us when you can come and what you'd love to catch. We'll match your dates to the runs, the guides and a cabin on the river.

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