Pink Salmon Fishing Information

Pink salmon (often called “humpies”) in Alaska explode onto the scene in late July and early August of even-numbered years, creating some of the most abundant and fun-filled salmon fishing opportunities on the Kenai River and nearby systems. On even years, millions of pinks return to the lower and middle Kenai, where aggressive schooling fish hit everything from spinners to bait, making them great for family outings and anglers seeking nonstop action.

In Southcentral Alaska, pink salmon runs also appear in the Kasilof River and can influence conditions throughout Cook Inlet fisheries. While most sport reports focus on the Kenai, pink salmon may show up in other waters during strong return years, adding excitement to summer fishing outside traditional sockeye and silver windows.

Though most guides concentrate pink salmon coverage on the Kenai’s abundant returns, anglers exploring remote fly-out waters like Big River Lakes, Wolverine Creek, Crescent Lake, or Kustatan River often pair pink salmon fishing with silvers and trout during prime August timing. Trips launched from Soldotna, Kenai, Homer, AK, and Seward, AK reflect how pink salmon fits into the broader Alaska salmon season, offering explosive numbers, simple tactics, and a memorable Alaska fishing experience.

two gentlemen smiling big with their pink salmon

Not as many Pinks in 2016, but they were BIG!!!

March 27, 2017

Oddly enough, Pink salmon on the Kenai River return only on even years. The smallest and most abundant of the Pacific Salmon, Pinks or Humpback Salmon have a strict two-year life cycle. From the moment they emerge from the gravel in early spring, juvenile pinks head for the salt where they mature for a full …