Sockeye Salmon Fishing - Red Salmon
Join Kenai Drift Anglers for an unforgettable Sockeye Salmon fishing charter in Alaska, targeting the highly sought-after Sockeye Salmon, also known as red salmon. These prized fish are known for their delicious taste and their strong fighting spirit, making them a favorite among sport fishermen here in Alaska. Fishing for Sockeye Salmon is an activity the entire family will enjoy, especially kids. Book your trip with Kenai Drift Anglers and take home the best-tasting wild Sockeye Salmon in the world. Let Kenai Drift Anglers show you why the Kenai River is a top destination for families and sport fishing enthusiasts alike.
Sockeye Salmon World Record 16 Lbs.
Believe it or not out of all the rivers in Alaska and around the globe, the largest Sockeye Salmon was caught, from our very own Kenai River.
"Suk-kegh" or Sockeye or Red Fish?
This goes back generations to a British Columbia native Coast Salish Language. The meaning "Suk-kegh" is "red fish" by the British Columbia natives. This however was poorly translated to the word "Sockeye." Up here, Alaskans call them Reds or Sockeye Salmon.
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Trip
$295 Per Fisherman
Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fishing
Kasilof River Sockeye Drift Boat Trip
$295 Per Fisherman
Sockeye Salmon Fishing
The Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Forecast for the 2022 Sockeye Salmon run was 4.97 million. Our Actual Sockeye Salmon run in 2022 was a total of 5.2 million in the Upper Cook Inlet! You can say our Sockeye Salmon fishing has been pretty awesome!
Kenai Drift Anglers likes to set the alarm clock early to get the first crack at the sockeye salmon run. The Kenai river is the largest road-accessible sockeye salmon run in the world. From Anchorage day trips to multi-day Sockeye Salmon fishing charters, The Kenai river couldn’t be any easier to get fishing, quickly. Two runs, Early Run (Russian River) May through June, and the Sockeye Salmon Late Run, July through August. The Kasilof River Sockeye run time starts around June 15th and ends the last week of July.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Alaska’s Kenai River and book your seat on our sockeye salmon fishing charter today! Enjoy being out on the water catching vibrant red salmon whilst surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Sockeye Salmon Fishing Fun for the entire family
How to catch a Kenai River Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon have some very unique characteristics developing the way we target reds. First, they migrate very close to the bank, providing easy access for all ages and abilities of fisherman. Sockeye Salmon usual diet is primarily shrimp, krill, and crab. This diet develops their lack of aggression towards biting all fishing lures and flies. Furthermore, Alaskans have developed methods overtime to catch sockeye salmon that are uninterested in your offering. In fact, we call it the “Kenai Flip” Kenai Drift Anglers demonstrates the technique and teaches our clients how to be successful catching Sockeye Salmon.
Surprisingly it’s an easy technique that can be picked up in a matter of minutes. The real adrenaline rush is hooking into one of many red salmon. They go from lousy biters to extreme wild fighters. You’ll learn quickly Alaska Sockeye Salmon fishing is no easy task when landing these pound-for-pound, best fighting Salmon in Alaska.
Sockeye Salmon Fishing Charters
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Charter
$295 pp
Our full 8 hour Sockeye Salmon Charter or to Limit on the Kenai River. Includes Hip waders and all gear needed. Per Person Price
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Charter (Private)
$875
Our Full 8 hour or to Limit Sockeye Salmon Charter 2-Person Private Boat. Entire Boat Price for 2.
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Charter (Private)
$1175
Our Full 8 hour or to Limit Sockeye Salmon Charter 3-Person Private Boat.
Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Charter
$295 pp
Our full 8 hour Sockeye Salmon Charter or to Limit on the Kasilof River. Includes Hip waders and all gear needed. Per Person Price
Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Charter (Private)
$875
Our Full 8 hour or to Limit Sockeye Salmon Charter 2-Person Private Boat. Entire Boat Price for 2.
Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Charter (Private)
$1175
Our Full 8 hour or to Limit Sockeye Salmon Charter 3-Person Private Boat.
The Ultimate Guide to Sockeye Salmon Fishing on the Kenai River
Get Hooked on Sockeye Salmon Fishing in Alaska's Kenai River
The first Sockeye Salmon enters the Kenai River in late May and June, with the majority headed towards the Russian River, a tributary of the upper Kenai near Cooper Landing. The late run begins in early July and extends well into August, offering anglers the opportunity to bring home one of Alaska’s most prized delicacies. The Kenai River sockeye salmon sport fishery is the largest in Alaska, with an in-river return of between 750,000 to 1.5 million fish, typically peaking between July 10th to the end of July.
Why Sockeye Salmon Fishing on the Kasilof River is a Must-Do Adventure
Step into the World of Alaska's Most Delicious Red Salmon
In addition to the Kenai River, Sockeye Salmon can be found in several other locations throughout Alaska, including the nearby Kasilof River and fly-out locations on the West Side of Cook Inlet. The Kasilof River has an average return of 300,000 to 400,000 fish, with the run beginning in early June and peaking in the first two weeks of July. This river is popular for bank fishing and requires a drift boat for access. Get ready for a thrilling fishing experience as you embark on a Kasilof River drift boat trip in search of the sought-after sockeye salmon. The Kasilof River Drift boat Sockeye Salmon run only last between mid-June and mid-July, it’s that Alaska trip worth experiencing.
Kenai River Guided Sockeye Salmon trips & Kasilof River Guided Sockeye Salmon trips.
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Power Boat Charter
Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Drift Boat Charter
Kenai River Power Boat
Kenai River Sockeye Salmon travel on average of 15 miles per day. In fact, Sockeye Salmon routinely travel in large “schools” up-streem the Kenai River banks, 80-plus miles en route to their spawning beds. The Kenai Drift Anglers power boat provides us the maneuverability to make sure that school is always in “session.” When the Sockeye Salmon run peaks in the Kenai River, typically the middle of July into August. The power boat also helps us lock down a spot in permitted only areas for our guest. These areas are less crowded, more scenic and provide ample fishing opportunities for our guest. The only way to access these areas of the Kenai River is with a Kenai River guide on our Power Boat.
Alaska Sockeye Salmon fishing has become, the most popular guided fishing trips we offer. First, it’s due to the high nutrition and extreme quality taste of our wild Kenai River Sockeye Salmon. Secondly, the limit usually starts the season at 3 Sockeye Per day Per person, our guests have made Sockeye Salmon fishing their way to fill the freezer for the winter!
Kasilof River Drift Boat
The mouth of the Kasilof River sit’s just 11 miles south of the Kenai River. Often the Kasilof river is referred to as the “little brother” of the Kenai River, the Kasilof river often doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Moreover, it’s likely due to the amount of pure work form your river guide to be successful on the Kasilof river. Not only is the Kasilof river restricted to non-motorized boats, meaning your boat is “human-propelled.”, but also is a fast, thrilling, drift boat river experience. It’s a Sockeye fishing trip that Kenai Drift Anglers highly recommends, for all of our guest!
The Kasilof river is still one of the Kenai Peninsulas best kept fishing secrets, in fact one of Alaska’s best kept secret. We as guides love the amount of work it takes to be successful on the Kasilof River, in return the amount of satisfaction you get from a successful fishing charter. Not only do Sockeye salmon come early on the Kasilof river, but the Kasilof River Sockeye run timing can be as early as June 10th through the end of July. A float down this beautiful glacially fed Kasilof River is one Alaska fishing trip, you don’t want to miss.