| You're about to have your dream come true. | | | | You'll find the first Red Salmon run starting |
| You're going fishing on the Kenai River - | | | | in late May as they swim through the lower |
| Alaska's salmon magnet. The great thing is | | | | and middle sections of the Kenai on their way |
| you actually have two windows of opportunity | | | | to the Russian River, a tributary of the |
| for each major species - Chinook (King) | | | | Kenai. The Reds become plentiful right around |
| Salmon, Sockeye (Red) Salmon, and Coho | | | | June tenth, peaking sometime between the |
| (Silver) Salmon. Having three run times for | | | | fifteenth and twentieth of the month. They |
| three types of salmon is unique, making the | | | | continue their commute, however in fewer |
| Kenai River one of the richest sport fishing | | | | numbers, until the end of the month. Sockeyes |
| waterways on the globe. | | | | are most plentiful in the upper regions of |
| | | | the Kenai. |
| Chinook (King) Salmon Run Times | | | | |
| | | | Beginning in mid-July, the second run of the |
| Run times tend to vary a bit from year to | | | | Reds entices fishermen to take to the banks, |
| year, but they do follow the same basic | | | | standing in crowds 15-20 thick. The Sockeye |
| pattern each year. The initial run of Kings | | | | reach their highest numbers by the third week |
| occurs from mid-May to early July and the | | | | and then start to dwindle until their |
| last starts in early July and ends on July | | | | migration is over by the end of the month. |
| 31. However, as early as April you'll find | | | | This atmosphere, when fishermen are virtually |
| King Salmon coming into the Kenai River. | | | | packed together angling from a pool of |
| Although not nearly as plentiful as they will | | | | thousands of Reds, is called "combat |
| be by the middle of May, Kings are often | | | | fishing." It can be a great time for trading |
| hooked as early as late April. | | | | fish stories, filling your stringer, and |
| | | | enjoying your sport with fellow enthusiasts. |
| This initial run is the smaller of the two, | | | | |
| but because the water levels are lower, some | | | | Coho (Silver) Salmon Run Times |
| people prefer this time of year. The world | | | | |
| record for Chinook Salmon was set on the | | | | In late July, the Coho Salmon are starting |
| Kenai River during the first run in May. That | | | | their journey up the Kenai to spawn. By early |
| could be reason enough to plan a trip for the | | | | August, the Silvers are abundant and fishing |
| initial migration of Kings. | | | | is fantastic. The run continues through the |
| | | | month with angling abating in the fourth week |
| The second run is focused on the lower part | | | | of August. Just a week or so later in early |
| of the river where the salmon have spawned. | | | | September, the second and final migration of |
| July first is the designated date for the | | | | Silver Salmon begins. Large numbers work |
| beginning of the final King run of the | | | | their way up the river until, at the end of |
| season, with large numbers of fish in the | | | | September, the salmon season is officially |
| river by the end of the first week. Mid-July | | | | over. |
| finds a huge quantity of salmon concentrated | | | | |
| in the lower part of the primary channel and | | | | It's a wild four-and-a-half months on the |
| attracting a maximum number of sportsmen. | | | | Kenai with fishermen from across the globe |
| Although the river can become crowded with | | | | enjoying some of the finest salmon runs |
| guide boats and fishermen, the Kenai tends to | | | | they'll ever find. Expert guides adept at |
| be a very civil place with a party-like | | | | helping sports fishermen get the most out of |
| atmosphere. It's actually a great time to be | | | | their time on the river help make each |
| on the river with a community of anglers | | | | visitor's experience something they'll |
| having the time of their lives. | | | | remember and relish for years to come. |
| | | | |
| Sockeye (Red) Salmon Run Times | | | | Going salmon fishing? You can't beat the |
| | | | Kenai River in Alaska. |