A Look at the Kenai River Runs for 2025
by Dallas Voss, Explore Kenai
For those who dream of fishing Alaska’s world-famous Kenai River or who are poised to access this resource from around the state, 2025 still promises some of the best fishing around. We are facing the third-straight year of being closed for Chinooks, but thankfully predictions point to 2025 boasting one of the highest sockeye runs in years. For those willing to adapt, there is good salmon fishing to be had in summer and an abundance of trout and Dolly Varden through fall.
King Salmon Forecasts
Fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River, like many rivers, will once again be put on hold. For the third year in a row, the state has closed Kenai River king salmon fishing, citing one of the weakest forecasts on record. Only 1,531 large fish are expected in the early run—well below the 3,900 needed to maintain a healthy population. It would rank as the second lowest run in 38 years if the forecasts are accurate. The late-run numbers are not much better, with an estimated 8,742 fish, which is nearly 60% below what is considered sustainable. The forecast is 27% less than the 5-year average, and again, would be the second lowest run in 38 years.
Shannon Martin, the director of the Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA), shared her thoughts that it is certainly not an ideal situation but that the fish must come first. “Since 1984, KRSA has advocated for the conservation of the Kenai’s king salmon,” she said, “They need our help to protect and rebuild this stock. We all need to forego opportunity to ensure as many fish make it to their spawning beds as possible.”
What That Means for the Kenai
While this decline has had a major economic hit on many businesses and lodges that once relied on Kenai kings, locals of the Kenai Peninsula have adapted to make the most of it. To make up for some of the loss, guides and anglers flock to the Kenai River’s sister river, the Kasilof River. Just 30-minutes away, the Kasilof River is hatchery-enhanced with Chinook and anglers are allowed to keep two hatchery fish from May 1-June 30 and one hatchery fish from July 1-July 31.
The Bright Side
The silver lining to 2025 Kenai River fishing is the sockeye salmon run. This year’s sockeye return to the Kenai River is projected to be 26% higher than the last 10-year average. Of the total Upper Cook Inlet run of 6.9 million fish, the Kenai River’s share is expected to top 4.19 million.
This is great news for both sport- and commercial fishermen. “I think the excellent sockeye run forecast means good things for all user groups,” says Abe Porter, a commercial gillnetter and co-owner of Snug Harbor Outpost, “If the prediction comes to fruition, it will be the largest run the Inlet has seen in the last decade or more. It will be a hot year for sockeye salmon in the Upper Cook Inlet.”
For those visiting the 49th State and hoping to catch a salmon, the thrill of hooking and fighting a seven-pound sockeye is a great option. Alaskan families rely on these resources heavily to feed their families. It is often an annual production to set aside days to harvest with rod and reel or even by dip netting. With large numbers of sockeye entering the Kenai daily, an angler’s limit can be met quickly with the right gear and ‘flossing’ technique. With many ways to prepare the red’s fillet, this versatile fish rivals any salmon species at the table. Most folks are extremely thankful for this bounty. If you are new to it or are visiting, hiring a fishing guide provides your best outcome and will get you away from the walk-in crowd.
The Fourth Quarter
A favorited time of the year for many locals, fall provides a ‘two-for-one’ package that cannot be overlooked on the Kenai River—silver salmon and rainbow trout. You could even call it a “three-for-one” considering the Kenai River’s healthy abundance of Dolly Varden. August through September brings silver salmon returning to the rivers, all while rainbow trout and dollies have been gorging themselves on salmon eggs for about a month, and are starting to pack on the pounds.
Known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, silver salmon can be targeted multiple ways to mix up the fishing – casting spinners, twitching jigs, back-trolling plugs or eggs and even throwing flies for them – to name a few. Whichever way you prefer, the excitement is the same. The daily limit changes throughout the year, with anglers typically getting to harvest two in August and three in September.
Currently, there is a lot of unknowns regarding Kenai coho, but Alaska Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently wrapped up Phase One of a project that will provide more insight in the future. The groups worked together to tag silvers and follow their movement through the Kenai River and tributaries. If Phase Two is approved for funding, they are hopeful their data will provide a better understanding of the population in the system, among many other aspects of the fishery.
Widely considered a catch-and-release fishery, the Kenai River provides fly fishermen a challenging opportunity to track down trophy-sized trout, with the 30-inch rainbow being on everyone’s wish list. Patient anglers who love to hunt will greatly enjoy the challenge later in the season, when the crowds start to clear out and the bite turns on. Additionally, dollies, a member of the char family, are beautiful fish that are really stunning in their spawning colors. They can get big on the Kenai with all the food that runs through the system.
“Fall on the Kenai is one of our favorite times of the year,” exclaimed Desi Wheeler, a local angler and owner of WheelHouse Designs in Soldotna, “we have a fish camp just down the road from our home, where we spend the summer and fall fishing. Mornings are for running plugs for silvers, and afternoons are spent drifting for rainbows. There is never a dull day on the Kenai.”
As local fishing guides we have seen that shift happening over several years with more of our guests fishing sockeye, coho and trout. We tend to be very busy during those peak times so we always advise folks to book with their guides early. The fishing is good through most of the summer when you employ a variety of options. The whole Peninsula offers exciting opportunities and spending time on the Kenai River is one of the most sought-after experiences for a reason.
Dallas Voss is owner and guide of Explore Kenai along with her husband Dustin Voss. Local Alaskans with tons of five-star reviews for their business as guides on the Kenai, if you’re looking to hire a Kenai guide to salmon or trout fish, definitely give these guys a ring.
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or visiting for the first time, Kenai Fishing 2025 will offer unforgettable experiences on one of Alaska’s most famous rivers. Planning a trip to Kenai? Check out more features on the iconic Kenai River.