Kasilof River
Sockeye Fishing Trips
We offer both half day and full day sockeye salmon fishing trips on the Kasilof River. Most of our guests prefer the half-day sockeye salmon trip as this provides the ideal amount of time to enjoy the float and fish one full tide. With good fish numbers, five hours allows plenty of time to achieve a daily limit. For those wanting a little extra time on the water to ensure they have the best overall chance at limit catches, the full day trip is a good choice.
The Kasilof River, often regarded as the “baby brother” to the renowned Kenai River, is a prime destination for sockeye salmon fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. Situated approximately 10 miles south of Soldotna and the Kenai River, the Kasilof offers anglers an earlier opportunity to target sockeye salmon. The sockeye salmon run in the Kasilof River typically begins around June 15, with numbers increasing steadily through June and July. The peak of the run usually occurs between July 10 and July 25.
This trip is fully guided with a drift boat and all gear including waders provided. All you need is a fishing license, warm clothes, rain gear and food and drink.
Sockeye Runs On The Kasilof River:
The Kasilof River is the second largest producer of sockeye in Upper Cook Inlet. Over the past 10 years the annual average of Kasilof River Sockeye has been well over 600,000 fish with the past three years seeing above average returns. In 2025, the cumulative return was 1,197,471 fish through August 8. In 2024 the run saw 1,048,092 fish, in 2023 it was 932,896 and in 2022 it was 971,604. There is no question the Kasilof is a sockeye salmon factory that provides a very dependable fishing option during the peak of our Kenai Peninsula summer.
Where Do We Do Our Kasilof River Sockeye Fishing Trips?:
The Kasilof River, designated as a drift-boat-only fishery, offers a peaceful and scenic fishing experience. There are two primary float trips: one from the outlet of Tustumena Lake to the Sterling Highway Bridge and another from the bridge to the takeouts near Cook Inlet. Both drifts provide stunning scenery, with strategic gravel bars where anglers can step out and fish for sockeye as they migrate through shallow waters along the river’s edge. The float from Tustumena Lake, winding through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, is especially picturesque, though both routes offer an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Kasilof Sockeye Fishing Rates
June / July / August
Kasilof Half Day – $295pp
Up to 5 hours
Kasilof Full Day – $350pp
Up to 8 hours
How we fish the Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon:
Sockeye salmon spend 1-3 years in the ocean and feed primarily on plankton, insects and small crustaceans. Their passive diet makes them one of the least aggressive salmon in terms of striking lures and thus the techniques we use to catch them are unique. The most common and effective method for catching sockeye is known as flossing or lining and this involves a long leader with a bare hook fished from shore. When done properly this method is extremely efficient at catching the passing sockeye in the mouth. On the Kasilof River, we prefer using fly rods to fish for sockeye. The combination of light tackle and fresh fish straight from the ocean creates an unforgettable fishing experience.
Things To Know About Sockeye Salmon
*Sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River rear in Lake Tustumena, spending one to two years in freshwater as juveniles and two to three years in the ocean before returning to spawn. While there are some variations between rivers, Upper Cook Inlet sockeye salmon that spend two years in the ocean typically grow to about 18 to 21.6 inches, while those that spend three years in the ocean reach lengths of 20 to 23.6 inches.
*The Kasilof River sockeye salmon runs average around 958,000 fish, with numbers ranging from 500,000 to 1.7 million salmon.
*The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) operates a sonar site on the Kasilof River to monitor sockeye salmon runs. Located about 8 river miles upstream from the river mouth, just above the Sterling Highway bridge, this sonar project tracks the salmon’s movement. The travel time for sockeye salmon to reach this site from Cook Inlet ranges from approximately 12 to 36 hours.
Kasilof River Sockeye Limits:
The limit for Kasilof River Sockeye fishing trips on the Kasilof river is three fish per person, per day. The limit can increase to six fish per person, per day in-season when the escapement of sockeye salmon into the Kasilof River is proceeding at a rate that is projected to exceed the biological escapement goal. In 2024 the limit was raised from three to six fish on June 24 and in 2023, the limit was increased to six fish on June 28.
FAQ’s About Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips
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Can you keep king salmon in Kasilof River?
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More Information on Kasilof River Salmon Fishing
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, …
The summer of 2025 produced the largest return of sockeye salmon to the Kenai River since modern sonar counting began in 1987. By August 19, a staggering 4,252,497 sockeye had passed the Alaska Department of Fish & Game sonar station at river mile 19. The surge began on July 16 with a daily count of …
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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 …
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