Ask the Pros - Kenai Peninsula Family Fishing Trip in June

Brett,

Congratulations on your trip to Alaska!

My apologies for being the bearer of not the best news... early June is not the ideal time of year to be fishing for salmon in rivers. King season has been closed the last 3 years and will probably be closed again this year across the majority of south-central Alaska. Sockeye AKA Red salmon typically don't arrive till later in June/early July. The Kasilof River which is a little south of the Kenai/Soldotna area has a hatchery run of Kings which is about the only show in town for salmon fishing now sadly in early June. This river does have bank access at the Crooked Creek state park area as well as a number of guides that run float trips. Other fishing options would be a saltwater charter which there are plenty in that part of our state. Or, trout and arctic grayling fishing north of Anchorage on the Parks Highway river systems, these species are catch and release. Safe travels!

Cheers - Adam

Hi Andy,

The first week of June is definitely early in our fishing season but there are some good fishing options to consider. The majority of the effort will be taking place on the Kasilof River which is 11 miles south of Soldotna and the Kenai River. Early June is considered peak timing for the hatchery return of Crooked Creek king salmon to the Kasilof and that is really the only open king salmon fishery we still have. King numbers statewide are at an all time low so most river systems are seeing extreme restrictions and closures. The Kasilof hatchery return is a decent option but the window is relatively short. The best fishing typically occurs from the last few days in May into the first couple weeks of June. They recently announced a no bait restriction for this fishery which will reduce overall success but it will also result in fewer boats on the river so for someone that can row a drift boat well and has some experience with no bait techniques the fewer boats can be seen as an advantage. Keep in mind king fishing is king salmon fishing and is not a one after another fishery even with bait and optimal conditions. The first week of June is a tad early for good numbers of sockeye but there will be some entering the rivers starting in late May and numbers will increase every day throughout June and into July. The early run fish heading to the Russian on the Kenai normally show in good numbers in the second week of June and on the Kasilof we do see decent numbers starting in the first week of June but they can be hard to touch from shore as the water is low and they tend to run farther out in the main current than they normally do. All that said, getting in a boat and going with a good guide will definitely increase your odds in early June for both kings and sockeye on the Kasilof.

Other options to consider in early June are halibut fishing in nearby Cook Inlet as well as fly out fishing to the west side of Cook Inlet for sockeye and also bear viewing. Just let me know if I can help with any of these trips and good luck on your trip!

Best Regards - Mark

Great question, Andy!

Soldotna is an excellent base for your trip. It’s the headquarters of the Kenai River, and most visitors choose to stay here because of its proximity to both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, plus the convenience of lodging, dining, fish processing, and grocery stores. It’s also a central spot if you’re interested in visiting other parts of Alaska like Homer or Seward. And of course, Kenai Drift Anglers is right here in Soldotna!

For bank fishing, there are several spots around Soldotna that you can explore on your own. That said, mid-June fishing typically centers on the sockeye run on the Kasilof River, which usually kicks off around June 15th. In contrast, the Kenai River sockeye run generally doesn’t pick up until the second week of July. So, if you’re planning to fish on your own, the Kasilof River will offer the best opportunities during your visit.

We do recommend booking a guided trip on your first day. This way, you can learn the techniques and key access points for sockeye salmon fishing right from the experts. We float by the public access point and show you the prime spots, so you’ll feel confident continuing on your own later.

June is one of our favorite times of year here—productive fishing, fewer crowds, and the chance to experience Alaska just as you imagine it. We look forward to helping you and your family have an unforgettable fishing adventure before your son heads off to college!

Tight lines - Scotty Daletas

Hi Andy,

The first week of June is King Salmon season. Last year, the only river open to King’s was the Kasilof River which is about 30 min south of Soldotna. Our King returns are very poor and I suspect that we will see similar closures as we did last year. You can fish from shore at the Crooked Creek campground on the Kasilof.

We will be finding out in the coming months if ADF&G has plans to close king fisheries or not.

Anything we can do to help or answer any questions, please let us know.

- Mike

Have a question of your own?

Ask The Pros