Kenai Fishing Report

July 25 Update:  Fish Counts Skyrocket!

Update: the wait is over. After a slow start to the second run, the Kenai turned on hard over the weekend — 171,844 sockeye counted July 24 and another 159,801 on July 25, by far the two strongest days of the season and a huge jump from the low-five-figure daily counts we were seeing just a week ago. That's on top of the 240,398 already counted through July 22, so the cumulative total has already climbed past 570,000 (and that's before Wednesday's count is even added in). Kasilof is still running a bit behind last year's pace but continues to fish well. Flossing is still the technique to use on the Kenai and Russian — we'll give you a lesson when you rent your gear.

The Late Runs that we have been hoping for have surely shown up! 

Bottom Line:  Richard says get to the Kenai Peninsula, pick your river.  Its happening now!!  The fish are in the rivers, and the best is yet to come!!

This Week's Highlights

Russian River: 

• The Russian River counts happen at the weir located at the outlet of Lower Russian Lake, about 78 miles from the mouth of the Kenai River.  
• It takes 7 to 10 days for sockeye salmon to travel from the lower Kenai to the weir.  
• As of July 22, 2026, 5,588 fish had passed the weir, compared to 6,528 and 6,349 in 2025 and 2024. So the run is coming into the river more slowly, more like the 2023 runs. That means longer time standing in the river to catch your limit.   
• The sockeye limits are 3 per day, 6 in possession (We will send you a copy of the regs when you make your fishing reservation.)  
• Combat fishing is the norm on the Russian.  The Ferry opens at 6:00 AM.  Our recommendation-- get to the river as early as you can to secure a parking space and a good spot on the confluence.  Bring a lot of tackle with you so you don't have to leave your spot and go back to a store for more Russian River Flies.  
• Bear activity remains frequent on the banks — this is still very much a bear-awareness fishery.
• Richard's tip. You fish the Russian with a technique called Flossing. Before you go, view some Youtube videos on Flossing. 

Kasilof River:  

• King salmon fishing is closed.
• The early Sockeye blew past the escapement goal: more than 433,000 fish have passed the counting site through July 14 — and one of the strongest runs in years.
• Kasilof turned on right alongside the Kenai — after running behind last year's pace (558,797 through July 22 versus 887,129 at the same point in 2025), daily counts jumped to 145,582 on July 24 and 95,427 on July 25. Cumulative counts are now past 795,000 and closing in on last year's numbers.
• The cumulative run is substantially behind 2025 and 2024 but ahead of 2023, so everyone is hopeful the fish will hit the river in huge numbers over the next few weeks.  
• Despite the slow run, the Kasilof's doubled bag limit currently stays in effect.
  • The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish per day and twelve fish in possession; however, no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon, in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. 
• Bank Fishing Stats: 7/25 Left bank: 77,489 fish Right bank: 83,808 fish 
• Bank Fishing Stats:  7/24 Left Bank: 71,733 Right Bank: 100,522

Kenai River:

• The Kenai River is the most fished river in Alaska with 275,000 person days of fishing occur each summer.  Most of us fish the banks, so don't fret if you see boats go by and you are on a bank.
• Best public access for bank anglers is the middle river stretch — Centennial Park, Soldotna River Walk, Swiftwater Park, and Bing's Landing all put you on productive sockeye water without a boat.
• Sockeye swim upstream tight to the bank with their mouths open and rarely strike a moving lure, so the "Kenai flip" (called "flossing") is what works — a sliding weight flipped upstream at a shallow angle, drifted along the bottom 6–10 feet off shore, with a hookset on any pause or change in direction. Ask us for a rundown when you rent your gear.  
• King salmon fishing remains closed — it was a disappointing season for Kings.
• The Kenai River sonar site is located at River Mile 19 a couple of miles downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna. 
• The second run has arrived in force: after sitting at just 240,398 through July 22 (16% of last year's pace), daily counts exploded to 171,844 on July 24 and 159,801 on July 25 — the two biggest days of the summer by a wide margin. Cumulative counts are now past 570,000 and climbing fast.
• Bank Fishing Stats:  7/25 Left Bank: 77,489 fish Right bank: 83,808 fish
• Bank Fishing Stats: 7/24 Left Bank: 71,733 Right Bank: 100,522

Local Stocked Lakes

If you're looking for an easier day of fishing or introducing someone new to the sport, local stocked lakes continue to fish well.

• Sport Lake (Soldotna)
• Johnson Lake (Kasilof)
• Summit Lake (Turnagain Pass)
• Crescent Lake for Arctic Grayling

⚠️ Closures & Emergency Orders

There are no new emergency orders issued this week but it's worth checking ADF&G's Northern Kenai report and the specific EO numbers before heading out, since bag limits and closures are shifting through the season.

We'll update this report every Friday throughout the fishing season with the latest conditions from the Kenai Peninsula.