Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Fishing

Sockeye Salmon is one of the best fish that comes out of the Kenai River for food wise. It’s very firm and not too much oil in the meat.

There are two runs of sockeye salmon during the summer. The first run usually starts at the end of May, while the second run starts coming into the Kenai River at the beginning of July.

Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Run

First run - The first run of sockeye (limit of 3) gets into the Kenai in the middle of May, we’re intercepting a few sockeye on the lower river as they are on a non stop trip to escape up river to the Russian River. Once they make it to the Russian River they stage themselves at the mouth of the Kenai and then work their way up to the Russian River falls. Guests’ are allowed to fish for them up there around June 11th. (You could go on a hiking trip to the Russian River falls.) When the sanctuary gets their escapement numbers then Fish and Game will open it to fishing around the 18th of June. If they are worried too many are escaping then they will up the limit to 6 sockeye

Second run - The second run starts coming into the Kenai around July 10th, the limit starts at 3 sockeye. If we have an abundance of sockeye then the limit could increase to 6 around the 18th of July. They’ll hold up more than the first run and in slower water. The second run of sockeye are usually bigger as well, averaging 8-12 lbs. Between filling the freezer and having some great action on the water, you won’t be disappointed in sockeye salmon fishing!