Last updated August 18, 2025
Kenai River Fishing Report
This Kenai River Fishing Report brings you the latest updates from one of Alaska’s most iconic rivers. A favorite among both local Alaskans and visiting anglers, the Kenai offers year-round opportunities and world-famous runs.
A beautiful view of the iconic river courtesy of Kenai River Sportfishing Association
Coho Action Heats Up on the Kenai!
Coho salmon fishing on the Kenai River has been active and exciting, marking the peak of the silver run that draws anglers each year. Reports from guides and visiting fishermen reflect strong numbers of fresh silvers entering the river, particularly hitting their stride around August 15. The silvers are aggressive, giving anglers explosive strikes and wild surface jumps, characteristics the Kenai is famous for this time of year. Most success has come early in the morning at river mouths or during incoming tides, using cured salmon roe clusters suspended under a bobber, twitching jigs, spinners, or weighted streamers.
The lower and middle Kenai are hotspots, with both bank and drift boat anglers reporting steady catches of silvers, especially in stretches just upstream from tidewater. Local reports confirm that the size and fight of the coho this season have been remarkable, contributing to a high-energy atmosphere on the river. While Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are also active, it’s the hard-hitting coho salmon that have taken center stage. Bag limits remain in effect, so anglers should keep up-to-date with the latest ADF&G regulations before heading out. Overall, August continues to deliver the prime Kenai River experience, with trophy-class coho encounters and memorable days on the water for both seasoned veterans and first-time visitors alike.
Sockeye Run Still Holding
August 12, 2025
Sockeye numbers on the Kenai River remain excellent as the late run winds down for 2025. Based on the latest counts, cumulative sockeye passage as of August 11 is 3.9 million, well ahead of the management goals. While the peak daily pushes have dropped off (after weeks where passage exceeded 100,000 fish per day), anglers are still catching fresh sockeye, especially in the lower river. Overall, the run is wrapping up on a high note with solid availability for those willing to put in some time along the banks or in a drift boat.
The Coho Watch
Coho salmon are just starting to show up in modest numbers in the Kenai, and fishing is only beginning to pick up for silvers. Small pushes of coho are arriving, especially in the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams near river mouths and tidewater stretches. Your best bet is fishing early in the morning or on an incoming tide to catch newly arriving coho. Bait is now allowed throughout August in the lower Kenai sections, which can help boost your catch rates. While numbers aren’t huge yet, expect steady improvement with each tide as more silvers build through the middle and end of August. Upper sections are now open for sport fishing, with slow but improving Dolly Varden action. Dead drifting beads is the go-to technique for trout and char fans.
If you’re headed out this week, bring spinners, cured roe, and some patience. The silver run is just lifting off, and fresh fish will keep arriving in the coming weeks!
Sockeye Action Still Hot as Coho Season Nears
August 8, 2025
The first week of August has delivered outstanding fishing conditions on the Kenai, with sockeye salmon maintaining the spotlight. Sockeye counts have surged well above escapement goals, with over 3.7 million fish counted by early August, far exceeding the river’s target range. As of August 7th the total sockeye count on the Kenai is 3,746,132. Anglers have been able to limit out quickly, and fresh, chrome-bright fish are still moving through, though some are starting to show blush as the run matures.
Sockeye fishing this week has thrived using both traditional bank flossing and boat-based trolling. Guides and resident anglers note that trolling plugs has been particularly effective for filling stringers, as fish hold in deeper channels and respond well to the moving bait. Bank anglers report consistent success in classic locations like the Soldotna and Sterling reaches, with peak action early in the morning and during tide pushes. The overall vibe is classic Kenai: high daily limits, fast-paced fishing, and plenty of fish for both rookies and veterans.
Allie Lee caught her first Kenai Sockeye on the fly.
Silver season officially opens August 1, but so far the run is off to a slow start. Boats and bank anglers are seeing only a few early-arriving coho, though action is expected to build rapidly after August 10th, which marks the historical peak for first-run Kenai silvers. Anglers hoping for trophy coho are encouraged to scout locations near tidewater and fish during incoming tides or at daybreak for the first push of fish.
Catch and release fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden remains open and productive. Trout action is steady, with both species following the salmon migration, feeding eagerly on eggs and flesh. Many guides note that as the sockeye run shifts from peak to tail, trout disperse and forage more actively, and the start of spawning pinks is fueling epic trout bites in some reaches. Pink salmon are also present in good numbers, offering bonus action and variety, especially for families or anglers using fly gear.
Middle Kenai River Sockeye Limits Increased
July 30, 2025
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has increased the sport fishing limits for sockeye salmon in the Middle Kenai River to six fish per day and twelve in possession. This change is effective from July 31 through August 20, 2025, and applies to the section from Skilak Lake upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge at the outlet of Kenai Lake. This liberalization is based on strong sockeye salmon counts and projections within the sustainable escapement goal, providing anglers more opportunity to harvest. The limits were also increased on the nearby Russian River, a tributary that drains into the Kenai River. See the Emergency Order here.
Kenai River Sockeye Run Surges Past 2.3 Million
July 29, 2025
The epic sockeye run on the Kenai River continues to deliver outstanding fishing action through the last three weeks of July. Daily sockeye counts have been exceptionally strong, with the cumulative total surpassing 2.37 million fish as of July 27. Both the North and South Banks have seen robust numbers, with the South Bank slightly ahead recently, recording 133,770 sockeye on July 27 compared to 113,480 on the North Bank.
Daily sockeye returns have been consistently high, with several days surpassing 170,000 fish and a peak day of 247,250 on July 27, a testament to the vitality and size of this year’s run. This massive influx makes the Kenai River one of the most productive sockeye fisheries globally this summer, offering anglers numerous opportunities for fast, spectacular fishing.
Anglers targeting sockeye report excellent fishing using traditional methods such as roe, shrimp, and spinners along the main river and especially along the popular North and South Bank sections. The high run strength is also easing pressure somewhat, allowing good encounters for both guided and independent anglers.
Overall, the Kenai River sockeye fishery remains in an extraordinary state, with heavy escapements and a full-bodied run expected to continue through August. This season is shaping up as a prime example of effective fishery management combined with excellent natural productivity.
Updated Daily Sockeye Counts from ADF&G:
- July 22: 183,534
- July 23: 193,575
- July 24: 158,094
- July 25: 125,946
- July 26: 173,900
- July 27: 247,250
- July 28: 185,762
The Kenai River is absolutely on fire this week!
July 22, 2025
It’s official: the Kenai River sockeye run has exploded into one of the biggest in recent memory. Between July 16 and July 21, a total of 924,530 sockeye surged into the system:
- July 16: 107,787
- July 17: 121,741
- July 18: 116,610
- July 19: 150,351
- July 20: 180,948
- July 21: 247,093
To keep an eye on the daily count check ADF&G fish counts regularly!
The cumulative total soared past 1.28 million sockeye by July 21st, far outpacing previous record years. For comparison, by July 21st, 2024, the total was just over a million fish, and only 860,000 by the same date in 2023. This year’s run is not just good, it is historic!
What does this mean for anglers? Absolutely epic fishing, with limits easily reached and nonstop sockeye action from the lower river all the way upstream. So many fish are moving through the system that most familiar techniques are working, but early morning flossing with yarn or bare hooks remains the top producer. Coolers are filling up in record time.
Conditions are perfect and with the strongest sockeye surge in recent years, expect the streak to continue into early August. If there’s ever been a time to experience the Kenai at its wildest and most productive, this is it. This run is one for the books. Don’t miss out!
The Kenai is Running Red
July 18, 2025
Sockeye fishing on the Kenai River has absolutely taken off over the past two days, with a huge surge of fish entering the river and driving catch rates through the roof. After a couple weeks of steady but moderate numbers, daily counts exploded to over 100,000 sockeye on both July 16 and 17, with the single-day peak hitting nearly 122,000 fish. This brings the cumulative count to just under 600,000 sockeye, far ahead of recent years by this date. Anglers on the river have felt the change immediately.
Limits are coming quickly, and the banks are buzzing with excitement. This dramatic jump is exactly what locals and visiting fishermen hope for in mid-July, turning what was already a strong run into one of the best in recent memory. Water conditions remain good, making it easy to capitalize on this peak, and the river’s reputation as a world-class sockeye destination remains well-earned this week.
As of mid-July, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game sonar at river mile 19 has counted just under 600,000 sockeye moving past the counter, compared to around 470,000 at this time last year and closer to 360,000 in 2023. The momentum has energized both local and visiting anglers, filling coolers and creating a busy, lively environment on the gravel bars and popular fishing stretches. Water conditions have generally been good, with moderate flows and clear enough visibility for effective fishing using the classic Kenai “flossing” method.
This family limited out on sockeye with the amazing guides at Explore Kenai!
Looking at the numbers, this year is a clear standout compared to recent seasons, making it an excellent time to get out and experience the legendary Kenai sockeye run!
In addition, the Kenai River Personal Use Dip Net Fishery is open 24 hours per day from 11:00 p.m. on July 18 through 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2025, providing ample opportunity for dip netters to harvest sockeye during this peak period.
Early Season
Sockeye salmon are starting to trickle in. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reporting a count of 7,311 sockeye passing the sonar on July 1. This is a typical early showing for the Kenai. Anglers are just beginning to see fish in the lower river. The first run of sockeye was modest but steady, and anticipation is building for the larger second run, which usually peaks in mid to late July. As the numbers increase, expect fishing to improve, especially as more fish move upstream.
King salmon counts remain low this year, with 120 kings counted on July 1 and 126 on July 2. The early run was sparse, and the late run is not showing much strength yet. Because of these low returns, all sport fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River is currently closed. Anglers may not target, catch, or harvest king salmon at this time, and any king salmon caught incidentally must be released immediately without removing the fish from the water.
Trout fishing on the Kenai has been fair to good, especially for those drifting beads or flies in the middle and upper river. Resident rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are active, and catch-and-release fishing is providing steady action for those focusing on these species. Remember that trout regulations require the use of single-hook, artificial lures only, and daily bag limits are in place to protect these important resident fish.
For sockeye, anglers are allowed to fish and harvest within the current limits set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, but it is always wise to check for updates before heading out, as emergency orders can change regulations quickly. As the season progresses, keep an eye on fish counts and be ready for the peak of the sockeye run. Fish responsibly and enjoy your time on the Kenai.
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Read about this trophy trout here.