Alaska Fishing in August: Silvers, Trout, Halibut and Bears

• August 1 to August 31early-run Kenai silvers
• August 1 to September 30Kasilof silver trips; best mid-August to mid-September
• August 8 to September 30Kenai trout trips; best mid-August to October 1
• $300 / $300full day, Kenai / Kasilof, per person

Anglers who come to Alaska in July for sockeye often miss what August does best. The red salmon thin out, and the silvers (coho) start up the river behind them. Silvers are bright, fast and willing to hit a lure or a fly. They jump, they run, and they are easy to eat. Kenai River guests who book August get the end of one season and the start of another, with long evenings that are noticeably shorter than a month ago.

Kasilof River trips are full-day drift-boat floats. On the Kenai we run powered river boats on the lower and middle river.

What's running in August

• Early-run Kenai silvers, August 1 to August 31. The early run is the first push of coho. It builds through the month, and the late run follows (September 1 to September 30). Our September page covers the late run.
• The tail of the Kenai sockeye run. The Kenai sockeye count has usually finished by Aug 19. Early August still has fish on the move, but they are darker and less bright than the July fish.
• Kasilof sockeye, winding down. The Kasilof’s counted sockeye season usually ends around Aug 14.
• Kasilof silvers, August 1 to September 30. The best Kasilof silver fishing is mid-August to mid-September.
• Kasilof steelhead and trout, from August 10. These are catch-and-release.
• Kenai rainbow trout, August 8 to September 30. Best mid-August to October 1. Kenai River trout fishing opens June 11 and is closed until then.
• Pink salmon, in even-numbered years. Pinks come in strongest in even years. Our pink salmon trips make sense then. They are a good fish for kids, because they are easy to hook.
• Russian River silvers. The count there has peaked Aug 27–Sep 2.
• Homer halibut. The best window is June 1 to September 15, so August is inside it.
• Bears. Big River Lakes flights run June 10 to August 31, with the best viewing June 15 to July 31. Crescent Lake flights run July 15 to September 30.

The dates above come from the seasons we guide and the fish counts of past years. Any one year can run a week or so early or late. ADF&G sets the seasons, bag limits and gear rules, and changes them by emergency order, so check the current regulations and emergency orders before you go.

Early vs the second half of August

August is really two fishing months.

Early August suits someone who wants a chance at both species: our sockeye and silver combo is built for that. The second half of August suits silver and trout anglers. If you can only pick one week, pick it by the fish you want.

Why the trout switch matters. Rainbows follow the salmon. In early August they eat flesh from the dying sockeye. As the silvers and pinks spawn, the trout move to eggs. Later in the month they sit behind the spawning fish and feed hard. That is why the best trout fishing comes after the middle of August and runs into the fall (mid-August to October 1). Every rainbow on our trips is caught and released.

Where we fish it

Kenai River. Trips meet at the Pillars Boat Launch most days. Later in summer we sometimes meet at Bing’s Landing instead, and trout trips in the fall can too. We run 50 hp power boats on the lower and middle Kenai, and drift boats on the upper Kenai. Silvers push up the lower and middle river, so this is where August time goes. See our guides to fishing in Soldotna, the middle river near Sterling and the Kenai River overall.

Kasilof River. Every Kasilof trip is a full-day drift boat float. Every Kasilof trip is a drift-boat float, and a good part of it runs through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It is a smaller, clearer river with fewer boats, and it is where the first steelhead show up.

Kenai kings. King salmon are in trouble around the world, and Alaska hasn't been spared. Most rivers across the state are closed to kings each year as the season approaches, because returns are projected to stay low, and we don't expect that to change soon. When we can fish for kings, we do; when we can't, we target sockeye and the other species in season.

Homer. Halibut charters leave from the top of Ramp 6, Homer Harbor. Generally 6:30 AM; from about Labor Day weekend it moves gradually later as September mornings get dark; we confirm your time.

How we fish it

Silvers hit lures and flies stripped fast, and they take bait fished on a float. Your guide sets the rods, picks the water and tells you when to set the hook. You do not need experience. Read how to fish for silver salmon first if you want to know what to expect.

Trout get beads, flesh patterns and egg patterns drifted near the bottom, at the depth they hold. Read how to fish for rainbow trout.

Your guide nets the fish, and fish you keep are filleted for you. Our shore staff can trim, portion, vacuum-seal and freeze your catch for the flight home, at $3.50 a pound for river fish and $2.99 a pound for Homer fish. How to ship your catch has the details.

Waders and boots are provided on river trips. We fit you at our Johnsons Drive office when we can. Rain gear is not provided on any trip, so bring your own. See what to bring and where to meet.

Kids are welcome at any age. There is no minimum, and kids 8 and up usually do best on a full day on the river.

Homer halibut and bears in August

Not every August day needs to be a river day. Homer is a good change of pace, and August sits inside our recommended halibut dates (June 1 to September 15). Halibut limits are set every year by NOAA Fisheries and the International Pacific Halibut Commission, and some days of the week are closed to charter halibut fishing, so book with the current rules in mind. The crew goes over the limits on the boat. Our Homer halibut charter prices page lists every trip, and the halibut and rockfish combo is the one most guests choose. Prices start at $350 per person for a 3/4 day.

For bears, Big River Lakes flights run June 10 to August 31 and Crescent Lake flights run July 15 to September 30. August is a salmon month on the lakes, so the bears are fishing. Bear fly-outs meet at the Kenai Airport float plane basin, and we ask you to arrive 30 minutes early. Prices are on our Big River Lakes bear tours page. The multi-trip discount does not apply to bear fly-outs.

Trips to book in August

You get 5% off when you book two or more trips, except bear fly-outs. A river day and a Homer day in one visit is a common pairing; see the Kenai River and Homer halibut combo.

Weather, daylight and what to pack

The days are shortening quickly now, and the nights are dark again. It is cooler than July and wetter. Dress in layers and bring a real rain jacket and rain pants, because we do not provide rain gear on any trip. Waders and boots are provided on river trips. Bring warm socks, a hat, gloves for early mornings on the water and sunglasses. Your Alaska sport fishing license is your own to buy, and our Alaska fishing license guide explains how. Heavy rain can raise and colour a river, and a rising river can slow the bite for a day, so leave yourself a spare day if you can.

Planning the week. August books up less fast than July, but the best trout and silver dates still fill. For a longer stay, spread your days: a river day, a Homer day, a bear flight and a rest day. The Kenai Peninsula fishing calendar shows every month side by side, and how to choose a Kenai River fishing guide covers what to ask any guide.

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