KASILOF RIVER
SALMON FISHING

THE QUICK ANSWER

SALMON FISHING ON THE KASILOF RIVER, ALASKA

Salmon fishing on the Kasilof River centers on sockeye, which run from mid-June into August, with early and late king salmon runs and silver salmon and Dolly Varden later in summer. The river drains Tustumena Lake and runs to Cook Inlet on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula near the town of Kasilof, about 15 miles south of Soldotna. The lower river is fished by drift boat or from the bank, because sport fishing from a motorized boat is prohibited below the Sterling Highway Bridge through July 31.

Marlow's on the Kenai, a family-run riverfront lodge in Sterling about 30 minutes away, coordinates guided Kasilof trips with local guides and gives you a cabin on the Kenai as your base. Comparing the two rivers? Read Kenai vs. Kasilof River fishing.

THE CALENDAR

KASILOF RIVER SALMON RUN TIMING

Sockeye are the Kasilof's biggest run. ADF&G counts them at its Kasilof River sonar, which starts about two weeks before the Kenai's. In 2026 the sonar counted 1,055,565 sockeye between 06/15 and 08/07, with the biggest day on 07/24 (145,582 fish). Daily numbers and past seasons are on our Kasilof River fish count page.

• Sockeye (red) salmon: mid-June into early August, the heaviest days usually in July.
• King salmon: an early run in May and June and a late run in July. The Kasilof has both wild and hatchery-produced kings, and only hatchery kings could be kept in 2026.
• Silver (coho) salmon and Dolly Varden: later in summer, with a small steelhead run in spring and fall that is catch-and-release only.

Timing shifts year to year with water and inlet conditions. For how the Kasilof fits with the Kenai and Russian runs, see Alaska salmon run timing.

REGULATIONS

KASILOF RIVER RULES IN 2026

• Sockeye: 6 per day and 12 in possession for sockeye 16 inches or longer, of which no more than 2 may be coho, in all parts of the Kasilof open to salmon fishing, through December 31, 2026 (EO 2-RS-1-31-26).
• King salmon: from May 1 to June 30, one hatchery-produced king 20 inches or longer per day; wild kings could not be removed from the water. King fishing was closed outside those dates, and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure or fly could be used in flowing waters from May 1 to August 15 (EO 2-KS-1-18-26).
• Crooked Creek confluence: the stretch of the Kasilof just downstream of Crooked Creek, behind the mid-channel island, was closed to all fishing from May 1 to July 31, 2026.
• Boats: from the mouth to the Sterling Highway Bridge, no sport fishing from a motorized boat January 1 to July 31, and no sport fishing from a registered guide boat on Sundays in July.

Sources: ADF&G 2026 Kenai Peninsula regulations, 2026 guiding regulations, and Northern Kenai emergency orders. Last checked October 23, 2026. Emergency orders override the booklet, so check the current list before you fish.

ACCESS

KASILOF RIVER BOAT LAUNCH, BANK ACCESS AND THE SPECIAL USE AREA

KASILOF RIVER STATE RECREATION SITE (BOAT LAUNCH)

The public boat launch is at the Kasilof River State Recreation Site, mile 109.5 of the Sterling Highway next to the bridge. It has day-use sites, toilets, water and a daily parking and launch fee, and State Parks notes it is popular with fishing guides and anglers.

OLD KASILOF LANDING (DRIFT-BOAT TAKE-OUT)

The public drift-boat take-out at Old Kasilof Landing on the lower river is complete and open, according to ADF&G's September 24, 2026 fishing report. By regulation, boats may not launch there, and only non-motorized boats or boats with one motor of 10 horsepower or less may be retrieved.

CROOKED CREEK STATE RECREATION SITE (BANK FISHING)

Crooked Creek State Recreation Site, off Cohoe Loop Road, is a short walk from the confluence of Crooked Creek and the Kasilof and is popular for fishing from the bank. It has campsites with a 7-day limit, day-use parking and a parking fee. Remember the 2026 closure of the water just downstream of the confluence from May 1 to July 31.

KASILOF RIVER SPECIAL USE AREA (THE MOUTH)

The state land at the river mouth is the Kasilof River Special Use Area, managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Motorized vehicles are limited to the beach and designated trails, trash and fish waste may not be left on state land (fish waste may go on tidelands or submerged lands), and firearms may not be discharged from June 1 to August 15 except for lawful hunting. The personal use dipnet and gillnet fisheries at the mouth are for Alaska residents only; visiting anglers fish the river under sport fishing rules.

ON THE WATER

KASILOF RIVER FISHING GUIDES: HOW A GUIDED DAY WORKS

Marlow's on the Kenai coordinates guided salmon trips on both the Kenai and the Kasilof Rivers. When you book a Kasilof day, we arrange an experienced local guide who knows the river's drifts, holding water, and current regulations — you just show up ready to fish.

The lower Kasilof is fished by drift boat, working the river with the current rather than running a motor — a quiet, effective way to cover salmon water. Gear is provided, and your guide handles the boat, the reads, and the logistics so the day is about fishing, not planning.

Most guests don't fish the Kasilof in isolation. Our fishing packages build the Kasilof into a wider Kenai Peninsula trip — pairing it with Kenai River salmon and trout days, ocean charters, and fly-outs. See the full range of trips on our guided fishing page.

YOUR HOME BASE

WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY FOR KASILOF RIVER SALMON FISHING?

For the shortest drive, look for lodging in the town of Kasilof. Soldotna, about 15 miles north, has more services, and Crooked Creek State Recreation Site has campsites with a 7-day limit. Marlow's on the Kenai is in Sterling, about 30 minutes away, and suits anglers who want to fish both the Kenai and the Kasilof.

Marlow's on the Kenai is a family-run riverfront lodge in Sterling, Alaska, owned and operated by Dan Rusk. It sits directly on the Kenai River, about 30 minutes from the Kasilof — close enough to fish either river on a guided day and still sleep on the water every night.

The property has four riverfront cabins, each with a full kitchen, plus private fishing docks and a fish cleaning station. With a 5.0 out of 5 guest rating, it's personal and uncrowded — the opposite of a roadside motel. Between guided trips you can fish the dock, clean and process your catch on site, and settle in by the river.

For anglers who want the whole trip handled, the Bucket List Package is a 5-day, 6-night all-inclusive stay — bundling lodging, guided fishing, gear, and fish processing into one booking, custom-quoted for your group. Call for a quote.

EXPLORE OUR CABINS

TRAVEL

GETTING HERE

Marlow's is fully road-accessible. It's about a 3-hour drive south from Anchorage along the Seward and Sterling Highways — one of the most scenic drives in North America — through the Chugach Mountains and across the Kenai Peninsula.

If you'd rather fly, the Kenai Municipal Airport is about 40 minutes from the lodge, with daily service from Anchorage. From either arrival point, the lodge is an easy drive, and the Kasilof River is roughly 30 minutes further south — well within reach for a full day of guided salmon fishing.

COMMON QUESTIONS

KASILOF RIVER FISHING FAQ