This Kasilof River Fishing Report delivers the latest updates, counts, and photos from this sometimes overshadowed Kenai Peninsula river. Close to the Kenai but quieter, the Kasilof offers plenty of fishing action often with fewer crowds. Check back regularly for current conditions and fresh reports from the river.

From a banner sockeye run to building silver action on the Kasilof

Silver salmon fishing on the Kasilof River is starting to pick up in mid-August, with anglers seeing increasing numbers of coho moving into the river. The prime silver run typically lasts from mid-August through early September, and this year is shaping up to be a solid season for targeting these hard-fighting fish. Successful anglers are using a mix of plugs, spinners, and flies, taking advantage of the growing silver salmon presence.

Sockeye fishing remained strong well into August, with continued good action through the first half of the month. Sonar counts on August 9th show that the 2025 sockeye run on the Kasilof River is robust, with a total of nearly 1.2 million fish counted. This solid sockeye abundance has provided anglers with excellent opportunities, making 2025 another banner year on the Kasilof River.

Sockeye Action Continues

August 9, 2025

Sockeye fishing remains strong on the Kasilof River this August, with daily counts averaging around 17,000 over the past ten days. While numbers are beginning to taper off, the run has been solid overall, with a cumulative total of 1,161,399 sockeye counted as of August 5. There is still plenty of action to be had.

Silver salmon will begin to appear later in the month, adding excitement for anglers targeting these hard-fighting fish.

Over a Million Sockeye and Counting: Kasilof Action Holds Steady

July 28, 2025

Daily sockeye counts have remained robust on the Kasilof, with numbers fluctuating between around 19,000 and nearly 38,000 fish per day. The count has reached a cumulative total surpassing 1 million sockeye as of July 27. This steady passage shows the run maintaining good energy well into late July, providing ample opportunity for dipnetters and anglers alike. The strong numbers also align with projections that the Kasilof sockeye run could reach around 1.24 million this season.

Fishing pressure remains concentrated on the North Shore, where the majority of sockeye are counted, with anglers experiencing consistent success as the run progresses. This sustained high escapement ensures solid fishing opportunities continue even as the season moves past its peak dipnet dates.

Dipnet Season in Full Swing

July 19th, 2025

Dipnetting on the Kasilof River has been outstanding, right in the heart of peak sockeye season. Reports from the river mouth and along the expanded dipnetting zone show that most residents are going home with ice chests full of fresh sockeye, with back-to-back pulses of fish entering the river every day. Action has been consistent both for shore and boat dipnetters, with many reaching their household limits in just a few hours of effort. While crowds have shown up for the best tides, access is still reasonable, and the fish are there, perfect for stocking up before the season wraps up.

The bag and possession limits for sport fishing sockeye are six per day and twelve in possession, and the dipnetting area was expanded this season, running from the mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge for shore anglers, and to about river mile 4 for boat-based dipnetting. Remember: dipnetting is open 24/7 through August 7, for Alaska residents only, and all king salmon must immediately be released. There is little accidental catch of kings to deal with at this point due to the current closure on all king salmon fishing and strong sockeye numbers.

If you’re planning to dipnet before the run tapers off, now is the time!

Kasilof Kings were closed entirely by emergency order on July 8th.

July 7, 2025

Sockeye fishing on the Kasilof River is still going strong. According to the latest numbers from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the run is holding steady, with over 35,000 fish counted on both July 3rd and July 5th, and the total so far topping 420,000. Most of the action has been on the North bank, but both sides of the river are seeing solid numbers.

Over the weekend, anglers reported steady sockeye action, with some down time between pushes up river. Many experienced folks were able to hit their limits in just one to two hours. The best bite has definitely been early in the morning, especially before 7 a.m. Once the commercial nets go in, things slow down a bit, but there are still plenty of fish making their way upriver. The daily bag limit for sockeye is six per angler, and with a little patience, most people are still filling their limits in 3-4 hours.

If you’re looking for a quieter spot, Monday morning has been much less crowded than the weekend. Weekdays are a great option if you want a little more elbow room, but the fishing on the weekend is still a great time.

This year’s sockeye run on the Kasilof River is outpacing the last several seasons and is shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory. The run has been so robust that the bag limit was increased, and anglers are enjoying some consistent and productive fishing.

All in all, the Kasilof is offering some of the best sockeye fishing of the season right now, so it’s a great time to get out there and enjoy it.

A stringer of bright Kasilof River sockeye, June 23, with Alaska Drift Away Fishing.

July 3, 2025

Sockeye fishing on the Kasilof River has been steady, with daily counts rising over the past week. On July 1 alone, 34,788 sockeye passed through. 22,614 on the North Bank and 12,174 on the South Bank. This brings the cumulative total to 290,672 as of July 1. Counts have climbed each day since June 26, when 15,900 fish entered the river. With the bag and possession limits increased on June 25, now’s a great time to get in on the action if you haven’t already.

Dipnetting Opens

Personal use dipnetting on the Kasilof River opened on Wednesday, June 25 this year, beginning at 12:01 a.m. and running 24 hours a day for Alaska residents through August 7. Anglers arrived early, with dozens of nets already in the water as the first high tide of the fishery rolled in just before sunrise. The opening morning saw “decent” but not fast fishing; fewer than a dozen sockeye were caught on the north shore between 4 and 5 a.m. Many early arrivals reported moderate success but anticipated action would improve as the run develops.

Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Limits Increased as of June 24th.

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