Kasilof River Fishing

Kasilof River Fishing Guides

The Kasilof River is located 12 miles south of the Kenai River and the town of Soldotna. It originates from Tustamena Lake, the largest Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, and flows 17 miles before emptying into Cook Inlet. The Kasilof is much more glacially turbid than the Kenai River.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time angler, we are the Kasilof River Alaska Fishing Guides for you. We provide all the fishing equipment you will need for the perfect day on the water. Unlike our other Alaska Fishing Trips, all of our Kasilof River Fishing is conducted exclusively with drift boats.

Offering fun Half Day and Full Day Guided Fishing Trips on the Kasilof River for families, friends, couples, business travelers and more. Come enjoy Kasilof salmon fishing during the prime fishing seasons!

Kasilof River Runs & Peaks

Lower Kasilof River Alaska Fishing is the most heavily booked trip of the river with two primary returns of king salmon. The first run is largely hatchery in origin with most of the fish returning to a tributary just above tidewater named Crooked Creek. This fishery begins in mid-May and extends through the month of June. The late run of Kasilof Kings arrived in early July and peaks in the third and fourth week of the same month before closing on August 1. This return is entirely wild fish that are primarily headed upriver below Tustamena Lake to spawn.

The late run Kasilof kings, known as “Tusties,” rival the large Kenai King salmon in size with fish over 50 lbs. not uncommon. The Kasilof also sees a very large return of sockeye salmon that begins in late May and peaks in early July. In August and September, the Kasilof sees a good return of silver salmon as well as a steelhead run in late September, October, and November.

The section from Tustamena Lake to the Sterling Highway bridge is known as the “Upper Kasilof” and partially flows through the very scenic Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This section can be very productive for sockeye salmon as they migrate from saltwater upriver to tributaries of Tustamena Lake. Upper Kasilof River fishing is also an excellent trip to target silver salmon in late August and September as well as steelhead in October and November.