2026 Fishing Calendar
Timing is everything in Alaska. See what's running when.
Run Timing Chart
Visualize peak seasons to plan the perfect trip.
Species / River
May
June
July
August
September
October
Early Sockeye
Russian/Kenai Rivers
Late Sockeye
Kenai River Mainstem
Sockeye
Kasilof River
Coho (Silvers)
Kenai & Kasilof
Rainbow Trout
Kenai River (C&R)
King Salmon
Kasilof River
Sockeye
Coho
King
Trout
2026 King Salmon Regulations
Please note that Kenai River King (Chinook) Salmon fishing is closed for the 2026 season by emergency order. Kasilof River king salmon fishing is closed for the current July 2026 period. Kasilof trips are targeting sockeye and other legally open species.
May
Spring Kickoff
- • Kasilof River King Salmon Early hatchery run begins showing up late in the month. Great time for quiet floats before the crowds arrive.
- • Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden Hungry trout feeding heavily on smolt migrating out to the ocean.
June
The Sockeye Opener
- • Kenai River Sockeye (Early Run) The first push of Russian River bound Sockeye enters the Kenai. Action starts heating up mid-month.
- • Kasilof River King Salmon Prime time for the early hatchery run. Consistent action on the drift boats.
- • Trout Season Opens (June 11) The Kenai opens for trout fishing. Exceptional dry fly and streamer action.
Peak Season
July
The Red October
- • Kenai River Sockeye (Late Run) One of Alaska's major road-accessible sockeye runs (2026 forecast ~4.45 million fish). Excellent bank and boat fishing starting mid-July.
- • Kasilof Sockeye Excellent early-mid July action. Slightly less crowded than the Kenai.
August
Silver Season
- • Silver (Coho) Salmon Acrobatic, aggressive biters enter both the Kenai and Kasilof. Incredible action on hardware and flies.
- • Pink Salmon (Even-Year Dominant - 2026) 2026 is an even-numbered dominant run year! Heavy returns of Pink salmon enter the river in late August, offering non-stop action for families and beginners.
- • Trophy Trout Trout gorge on salmon eggs. The "bead bite" is in full swing for massive rainbows.
Sept & Oct
Fall Giants
- • Late Run Silvers The largest Coho of the year enter the Kenai through September and into October.
- • Trophy Rainbow & Dolly Varden As salmon spawn and die, trout gorge on eggs and flesh. This is when the legendary 30+ inch Kenai rainbows are caught.
- • Steelhead (Kasilof) Fall steelhead push into the Kasilof River.