PEAK FISHING SEASONS IN ALASKA: THE BEST TIME TO GO FISHING
Peak fishing season in Alaska is May - September most years. The weather in Alaska is usually the best during these months making the fishing conditions more predictable. This is also the time of year when salmon are running the strongest and rainbow trout/Dolly Varden fishing can be the most productive it will be all year.
During the fringe parts of the season in the early spring and late fall, the fishing can still be very good, but the weather does not tend to cooperate like the summer months. We still fish in April, October and many of the winter months, but it takes thick skin and some hefty layers to brave these fishing conditions.
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WATCH FOR THE BEST TIMES TO GO FISHING IN ALASKA!
BEST FISHING SEASONS IN ALASKA BY MONTH
MAY
May can be one of the best months to take a fishing trip in Alaska as it usually marks the start of the run of King Salmon into the Kenai River and Kasilof River. The weather in May is also starting to improve and eager fishing guides are hitting the river to break off some of that winter rust.
Though this is considered “early season,” mid-to-late May can start to produce some good numbers of King Salmon, especially in the Kasilof River.
JUNE
Arguably the second or third best time of year to go fishing in Alaska is the month of June if you’re looking to catch salmon. More and more King Salmon are making their way up the rivers and the first run of Sockeye Salmon will be available on the Kenai River on June 11th.
Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden fishing also opens on June 11th on the Kenai River. Though these species are catch and release by local custom and law, the chance of catching the trout of a lifetime draws anglers from all across the globe to the Kenai River.
The weather in June is also improving dramatically as summer is in full swing. The sun is also up for most of the day and night in June. This is the time of year for long days on the water doing some fly fishing for trout.
JULY
July is probably THE best overall month to go fishing in Alaska if you’re looking for sheer numbers of salmon to take home. This is the time of year when families, avid anglers, and first time anglers flock to the Kenai Peninsula for some of the best salmon fishing all year.
Sockeye Salmon fishing usually hits its peak in late-July and the action can be incredible. Many anglers have a great shot at a limit of Sockeye or Red Salmon this time of year on both the Kenai River and Kasilof River.
AUGUST
Early August is a great time to still have a shot at some good Sockeye Salmon fishing. The trout fishing will only get better into mid to late August. Silver Salmon fishing can also pick up during this time as well.
This can be a great time for “combo” fishing packages where anglers can target both salmon and trout in the same day. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to fly fish, the “bead bite” that happens once some of the Sockeye Salmon begin to spawn is a great time to learn the technique.
SEPTEMBER
September is our “best” time of the year to go fishing in Alaska as guides and avid anglers. July is great for peak Sockeye Salmon, but September is the absolute peak of the trout fishing as well as Silver or Coho Salmon fishing. The action in September is unmatched. If you can get here during this hot month, you won’t be disappointed!
This is the time of year where you can have a legitimate shot at a 30” rainbow trout and perhaps a limit of silver salmon, all in the same day! This is when the fish make us look good as fishing guides!
OCTOBER
Even though the weather is starting to turn, October offers some outstanding trout fishing as well as some unbelievable Silver Salmon fishing.
Less and less people will be fishing on the river, so often you feel like you have the entire place to yourself. Fly fishing still dominates this season, but it is a great time for some spin fishing/conventional fishing as well.
BEST FISHING SEASONS IN ALASKA BY FISH SPECIES
RAINBOW TROUT & DOLLY VARDEN FISHING SEASON
For the most part, you can target Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden year-round on the Kenai River. Though the winter and fringe months of November, December, January, February, March, April & May can provide excellent trout fishing opportunities, the summer and fall months of June, July, August, September and even into October are arguably the peak of the fishing season for Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden.
The absolute peak for trout fishing tends to be mid-August through mid-September. Many species of salmon are spawning which gathers the trout by the tens of thousands to the spawning grounds. Anglers can take advantage of this time of year by fishing with artificial eggs or “beads.”
This is the time of year you can feasibly catch the biggest trout you’ve ever caught. Looking for your personal best? This is the time to go for it!
SALMON FISHING SEASONS
Each species of salmon has a specific time of year when they start to make their return to the river, when they are at their peak and when their run starts to slow down.
Since pacific salmon are migratory species and are not usually eating as they enter the river, they can be unpredictable from day to day. Fishing with an experienced guide who knows where to have the best chance for success will go a long way towards a rewarding day on the water.
The Kenai River is home to the world record king salmon. Despite the reputation for the world’s biggest kings, the Kenai River has not seen the historical runs of kings of the past.
Fear not! The Kasilof River has a healthy run of King Salmon from mid-May through the end of June, providing anglers a shot at this “king of fish.”
Kings are big, powerful salmon and usually weigh anywhere from 10-30lbs during this early run on the Kasilof River.
The favorite salmon of Alaskans is hands-down the Sockeye or “Red” Salmon.
The early run of Sockeye hits the Kenai River (in Cooper Landing) from June 11th when the river opens through the end of June. Later in July (around the 15th) the massive 2nd run of Sockeye hits the lower Kenai River. Upwards of 2 million Sockeye can flood the Kenai this time of year
The best time to go fishing for Sockeye on the Kenai is usually July 15th - August 10th or so.
On the Kasilof River, starting around June 18th or so, a very good run (up to 1 million Sockeye) start to make their way up the river.
The best time to fish for Sockeye Salmon on the Kasilof is usually late June through the first week or so of August.
Definitely one of our favorite salmon to fish for. They are super aggressive and fight very hard! Silver Salmon can be caught on lures, bait (where allowed) and are super fun on flies with fly rods!
Both the Kenai River and Kasilof River get sizable runs of Silver or “Coho” Salmon. The run of silvers usually starts around the first week of August and can extend all the way to the close of the season on October 31st.
The peak for Silver Salmon fishing and the best time to go fishing for them is mid-September through the end of October. this is the time of year when silvers pile into slack water, slow moving pools and back waters. They can usually be sight fished and quick limits can happen. They can also be picky at times, so be sure to bring along a little patience as well.
Let Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC help you find the best time to go fishing in Alaska!