KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA
ALASKA SALMON
RUN TIMING
KENAI • KASILOF • RUSSIAN RIVER • BY SPECIES AND MONTH
THE QUICK ANSWER
WHEN DO SALMON RUN ON THE KENAI PENINSULA?
Kenai Peninsula salmon run from mid-May to mid-October: kings first (mid-May through July), then sockeye (from June on the Kasilof, mid-June for the Russian River early run, mid-July to mid-August on the Kenai), pinks from mid-July, and silvers from late July into October, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). In 2026 the Kenai River below Skilak Lake was closed to king fishing from May 1 to August 15, and the Kasilof allowed hatchery kings only.
Source: ADF&G Kenai Peninsula run timing (all ADF&G run-timing charts). ADF&G notes these windows show fish availability only; waters may be closed. Page last updated October 23, 2026.
THE CHART
WHAT DOES THE KENAI PENINSULA SALMON RUN TIMING CHART LOOK LIKE?
| RIVER / SPECIES | ADF&G WINDOW | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENAI RIVER | |||||||||||||
| King (Chinook), early run Closed in 2026 | Mid-May to late June | ||||||||||||
| King (Chinook), late run Closed in 2026 | Early July to end of July | ||||||||||||
| Sockeye (red), late run | Mid-July to mid-August | ||||||||||||
| Pink (humpy) | Mid-July through August | ||||||||||||
| Coho (silver) | Late July to mid-October | ||||||||||||
| KASILOF RIVER | |||||||||||||
| King (Chinook) 2026: hatchery kings only | Late May to closure, late July | ||||||||||||
| Sockeye (red) | June through August | ||||||||||||
| Pink (humpy) | Mid-July through August | ||||||||||||
| Coho (silver) | Late July through September | ||||||||||||
| RUSSIAN RIVER | |||||||||||||
| Sockeye, early run | Mid-June to mid-July | ||||||||||||
| Sockeye, late run | Mid-July to closure, mid-August | ||||||||||||
| Coho (silver) | Early August to end of September | ||||||||||||
Shaded cells are half-months when ADF&G lists the run as available; grey bars were closed in 2026. A dot marks the single biggest 2026 count day at the ADF&G sonar or weir. Windows from ADF&G; peaks from the ADF&G Fish Counts database.
SOCKEYE
WHEN DID THE 2026 SOCKEYE RUNS ACTUALLY PEAK?
The Kenai and Kasilof sockeye runs both peaked on July 24 in 2026, while the Russian River's two runs peaked on July 3 (early) and August 3 (late).
| RUN | COUNTED | FIRST / LAST COUNT | PEAK DAY | SEASON TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenai River late-run sockeye | Sonar, river mile 19 | 07/01 – 08/10 | 07/24 (171,844) | 1,111,781 |
| Kasilof River sockeye | Sonar, river mile 8 | 06/15 – 08/07 | 07/24 (145,582) | 1,055,565 |
| Russian River early-run sockeye | Weir, Lower Russian Lake | 06/03 – 07/14 | 07/03 (3,275) | 47,093 |
| Russian River late-run sockeye | Weir, Lower Russian Lake | 07/15 – 09/02 | 08/03 (3,514) | 56,206 |
Recent averages agree with the chart. ADF&G puts the average midpoint of Kasilof sockeye passage (2005–2024) at July 17, and reported the 2025 Kenai midpoint as July 26, one day earlier than its 20-year average. That is why the last ten days of July are the classic sockeye window. Live and final counts are on our Kenai River fishing report, Kasilof River fish count and Russian River fish count pages, and technique is on our sockeye salmon page. Source: ADF&G 2025 Upper Cook Inlet season summary.
KING SALMON
WHEN DO KING SALMON RUN, AND WERE THEY OPEN IN 2026?
Kenai kings come in two runs, mid-May to late June and July, and the Kasilof run lasts from late May to late July. In 2026 the Kenai below Skilak Lake was closed to king fishing, including catch-and-release, and the Kasilof allowed only hatchery kings.
| FISHERY | 2026 STATUS | ORDER |
|---|---|---|
| Kenai River early-run kings | Closed May 1 – June 19, mouth to Skilak Lake outlet, including catch-and-release | 2-KS-1-8-26 |
| Kenai River late-run kings | Closed June 20 – Aug 15 below the Skilak Lake outlet, including catch-and-release. Forecast 12,718 large kings vs. a 14,250–30,000 recovery goal. | 2-KS-1-7-26 |
| Kasilof River kings | Hatchery kings only, May 1 – June 30; wild kings released in the water; unbaited single hook May 1 – Aug 15 | 2-KS-1-18-26 |
King rules are set by emergency order each year, usually before the season. Check the ADF&G Northern Kenai emergency orders and our king salmon page before you plan around kings.
SILVER SALMON
WHEN DO SILVER SALMON RUN ON THE KENAI?
Late July to mid-October on the Kenai, the longest run of the year, per ADF&G. Silvers run late July through September on the Kasilof and early August through September on the Russian River.
ADF&G's fishing reports describe coho arriving in the lower Kenai in late July and early August, great fishing on the lower river by mid-September, and upper-river fishing from mid-September to about the second week of October. In 2026 ADF&G held the Kenai coho limit at two per day from September 1 to November 30 (emergency order 2-SS-1-49-26). Month-by-month detail is in our Kenai silver salmon guide and on our silver salmon page. Source: ADF&G Northern Kenai fishing report.
EARLY AND LATE RUNS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EARLY AND LATE RUNS?
An early and a late run are separate stocks of the same species that enter fresh water weeks apart. ADF&G counts and manages them separately. The Russian River's early sockeye run (mid-June to mid-July) and late run (mid-July to mid-August) pass the same weir but have different escapement goals, and Kenai River kings are managed as an early run (May–June) and a late run (July).
Pinks also follow a two-year cycle. ADF&G notes they return in large numbers in even-numbered years on the northern Kenai Peninsula. Source: ADF&G Northern Kenai Peninsula fishing info.
YOUR HOME BASE
WHERE CAN YOU STAY FOR THE KENAI SALMON RUNS?
Marlow's on the Kenai is a family-run lodge on the middle Kenai River in Sterling, Alaska, about 30 minutes from the Kasilof. It has four riverfront cabins with kitchens, private docks and a fish cleaning station.
FAQ
ALASKA SALMON RUN QUESTIONS
WHEN DO SALMON RUN ON THE KENAI RIVER?
According to ADF&G’s run-timing chart, Kenai River kings run mid-May through July in two runs, late-run sockeye mid-July to mid-August, pinks mid-July through August, and coho (silvers) late July to mid-October.
WHEN IS THE PEAK OF THE KENAI RIVER SOCKEYE RUN?
Late July. In 2026 the biggest day at the ADF&G Mile 19 sonar was July 24, with 171,844 fish. ADF&G reported the 2025 midpoint of passage as July 26, one day earlier than the 2005–2024 average.
WAS KENAI RIVER KING SALMON FISHING OPEN IN 2026?
No. ADF&G closed the early run May 1 to June 19 (emergency order 2-KS-1-8-26) and the late run June 20 to August 15 (2-KS-1-7-26) downstream of Skilak Lake, including catch-and-release. The 2026 late-run forecast of 12,718 large kings was below the 14,250–30,000 recovery goal.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EARLY AND LATE SALMON RUNS?
They are separate stocks that enter the river at different times. On the Russian River the early sockeye run arrives mid-June to mid-July and the late run mid-July to mid-August, and ADF&G counts each at the same weir with its own escapement goal. Kenai kings also come in an early run (May–June) and a late run (July).
WHEN DO SILVER SALMON RUN ON THE KENAI RIVER?
ADF&G lists Kenai coho from late July to mid-October. Its fishing reports say coho show in the lower river in late July and early August, fish well on the lower river by mid-September, and run on the upper Kenai from mid-September to about the second week of October.
DO PINK SALMON RUN EVERY YEAR ON THE KENAI?
Pinks return every year, but ADF&G notes that pink salmon run in large numbers in even-numbered years in the northern Kenai Peninsula. ADF&G lists them on the Kenai and Kasilof from mid-July through August.
WHERE CAN I STAY ON THE KENAI RIVER DURING THE SALMON RUNS?
Marlow's on the Kenai is a family-run lodge on the middle Kenai River in Sterling, Alaska, with four riverfront cabins with kitchens, private docks and a fish cleaning station. Call 907-341-4966.
Related: Kenai River fish counts · Kasilof River fish count · Russian River fish count
START PLANNING
TIME YOUR TRIP
TO THE RUN
Call the lodge or check dates online for the weeks you want.