2025 was a Banner Year for Kasilof Sockeye

In a year that saw record sockeye returns to the Kenai River, the Kasilof River delivered an equally impressive showing. By August 9, a total of 1,197,471 sockeye had passed the sonar at river mile 8, surpassing the previous record of 971,604 set in 2022. Peak run timing occurred between June 30 and July 26, …

Why the Kasilof? Why Not

There is certainly no doubt the Kenai is the world’s most famous salmon river, home to the largest kings on earth and the place of piscatorial dreams. Yet just 20 minutes down the Sterling highway is the Kasilof, a river slightly smaller than the Kenai, but equally rich in historic angling lore and yes, huge …

Alaska Fishing Report: June 6, 2018

The 2018 season is well underway and just like every season it has exhibited its own unique personality.  Perhaps the most noteworthy characteristic to the season has been the lack of warm weather, especially in mid to late May with temps still dipping into the thirties overnight and struggling to break into the sixties during the …

Early Run Kasilof Kings

Early Run Kasilof Kings! Low water and fresh fish makes for some great action.  If you are looking for that first fresh salmon of the season, look no further than the Kasilof in late May and early June.  After a long winter in Alaska, there is just something special about the first salmon returning to …

Kasilof Sockeye: Drift below Tustumena

Kasilof Sockeye: Drift below Tustumena Lake offers solitude and good numbers of sockeye salmon. Changes in our king salmon fisheries have led us to further diversify and look for additional and exciting new fishing trips. One of these is the float from Tustumena Lake on the Kasilof River down to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Sockeye salmon migration …

Kasilof River King Salmon Fishing Guides

Are you interested in booking a drift boat fishing trip on the Kasilof River?  Click here or call 1-800-622-1177!   In the Shadow of Giants (This article was written by Kenai/Kasilof River guide Mark Glassmaker and was originally published in Fish Alaska magazine in July 2006.) The Kenai’s lesser known neighbor has a king-sized reputation …