Explore Kenai fishes Alaska's Kenai and Kasilof Rivers for salmon and trout. Guide Dallas Voss shares the season calendar, realistic sizes and the flies she trusts.
When is each species at its best?
- Late May to June: king (Chinook) salmon season begins.
- Mid-June to mid-August: peak sockeye (red) salmon season, including the Kasilof sockeye run.
- August to September: silver (coho) salmon.
- Rainbow trout: resident fish all season after the June 11 opener (the river is closed to trout May 1 to June 10 for the spawn). Late August through September is the time to target trophy fish.
What sizes are realistic?
Sockeye 6-7 lb, silvers 8-10 lb and kings 10-20 lb. Trout run 6-20 inches, with 30 inches the stretch goal.
What kind of water is it?
The Kenai and Kasilof are glacial, meltwater rivers that transition into a tidal estuary near the mouth. Everything in the Kenai is native; the Kasilof has native and hatchery kings, plus a steelhead run.
What drives feeding?
Resident rainbows and Dolly Varden key on salmon-related forage. Before the salmon arrive to spawn, they rely heavily on small fish and leeches.
Which flies work?
Dallas's favorites before the salmon arrive are the Dolly Llama streamer and the black Zuddler. A flesh fly also works in spring and fall. Nymphs have a short productive window, and she likes a green or orange perdigon then.
How has fishing been lately?
Per Dallas, 2026 brought excellent fall trout fishing and silver salmon fishing.
Book a trip
See the full Explore Kenai partner page to send an inquiry, or visit the Explore Kenai website. For more fundamentals, browse the Fly Fishing Tips Library.
