June is when Alaska's sockeye begin, and our best June fishing is Kasilof River sockeye from June 11. Before June 11 the Kasilof is kings only (when ADF&G opens it). The first Kenai and Russian River sockeye move upriver, and Homer halibut, the Kenai trout opener (June 11) and bear flights are all under way. If you want the most fish, July is bigger; if you want long days, open water and a season that is just getting going, June is a good month to fish the Kenai Peninsula.
- Jun 20–Jun 26Russian River early-run sockeye peak week
- June 11Kasilof sockeye trips start
- $300 / $300full day, Kenai / Kasilof, per person
- June 10 to August 31Big River Lakes bear season; best June 15 to July 31
What’s running in June
June is a month of firsts, and which fish you find depends on the week. The peak weeks below come from our own run-timing data, the last several counted seasons of each run, so any one year can run a week or so early or late.
- Kasilof kings, when ADF&G opens it. The Kasilof is where we fish for kings when ADF&G opens it. The best king fishing there is May 15 to June 11, and ADF&G decides each year whether and when the river is open to kings, so check the current regulations and emergency orders.
- Kasilof sockeye. Trips start June 11. The run is counted from Jun 15, and in a usual year a quarter of it has passed by Jul 6. Its peak week comes in July (Jul 16–Jul 22), so June is the early part of the run.
- Kenai River sockeye. The sockeye in the Kenai in June are the early run, headed for the Russian River. The main Kenai run is counted from Jul 1, and its peak is Jul 23–Jul 29.
- Russian River sockeye, early run. The early run peaks Jun 20–Jun 26. It is the first big wave of reds on the upper river, and we guide it on our upper Kenai drift-boat trips. Your confirmation gives the meeting point.
- Kenai trout. Kenai River trout fishing opens June 11 and is closed until then. Our own trout trips run August 8 to September 30, best mid-August to October 1, so June is when the river opens, not when we guide it.
- Kenai kings. Not a trip we count on. 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. June sits inside the best window (June 1 to September 15).
- Bears. Big River Lakes flights run June 10 to August 31, with the best viewing June 15 to July 31.
- Our trip season
- Usual counting season
- Middle half of the run
- Peak week
- Halfway day
- Our guides' dates (no count)
- Our best dates
- Late run of a two-run count
- Closed most recent years
- Our Kenai River tripstripsMay 15 to September 30
- Kenai River sockeyecountPeak week Jul 23–Jul 29 (23% of the run); halfway Jul 23–Aug 3 in most years
- Kenai king, early runcountSeason May 15 to June 30; closed most recent years; we fish them when open
- Kenai king, late runcountClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
- Russian River sockeye, early runcountPeak week Jun 20–Jun 26 (30% of the run); halfway Jun 24–Jun 28 in most years
- Russian River sockeye, late runcountPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10 (22% of the run); halfway Aug 6–Aug 11 in most years
- Russian River silvers (coho)countPeak week Aug 27–Sep 2 (35% of the run); halfway Aug 24–Aug 31 in most years
- Kenai silvers, early runour datesAugust 1 to August 31
- Kenai silvers, late runour datesSeptember 1 to September 30
- Rainbow trout tripsour datesAugust 8 to September 30, catch-and-release; best mid-August to October 1
- Our trip season
- Usual counting season
- Middle half of the run
- Peak week
- Halfway day
- Our guides' dates (no count)
- Our best dates
- Our Kasilof River tripstripsMay 15 to September 30, all full-day drift boat trips
- Kings (when ADF&G opens)our datesMay 15 to June 30; best May 15 to June 11
- King count at Crooked CreekcountCounted at a tributary weir: not every Kasilof king
- Sockeye tripsour datesfrom June 11, through the run (its usual last counted day, Aug 14)
- Kasilof River sockeyecountPeak week Jul 16–Jul 22 (20% of the run); halfway Jul 17–Jul 20 in most years
- Silversour datesAugust 1 to September 30, best mid-August to mid-September
- Steelhead and troutour datesAugust 10 to September 30, catch-and-release
What's biting, month by month "best" marks the month with the peak week (counted runs) or the best dates (our guides)
May
- Early days: ask us
June
- Russian River sockeye (early run) best
July
- Sockeye best
- Russian River sockeye (early run)
August
- Sockeye
- Silvers
- Rainbow trout best
September
- Silvers
- Rainbow trout best
Where we fish it
The Kasilof, by drift boat. Every Kasilof trip is a drift-boat float, and a good part of it runs through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Every Kasilof trip is a full day at $300 per person. In early June the drift boat is how we fish kings when the river is open, and from June 11 it switches to sockeye. It is a quieter float than the Kenai, with fewer boats around.
The Kenai, from the Pillars Boat Launch. Most Kenai trips meet at the Pillars Boat Launch. We fish the lower and middle river in power boats, working the banks where early sockeye travel.
The upper Kenai and the Russian River, by drift boat. For the Russian River early run we fish the upper Kenai from a drift boat. Your confirmation gives the meeting point. Call (907) 268-2925 to book. If you are choosing between rivers, our guide to choosing a Kenai River fishing guide explains what to ask.
Homer, on Kachemak Bay. Halibut boats leave the top of Ramp 6 in Homer Harbor, usually 6:30 AM.
How we fish it
Sockeye do not chase a lure the way kings and silvers do. On both rivers we fish for them with flies and rigs set where the fish travel, close to the bottom along the bank. The guide sets the drift, watches the line and tells you when to lift. It is a patient kind of fishing, and a good fit for first-timers and families because the guide does most of the reading. Our sockeye fishing guide explains it step by step.
Kings are different. On the Kasilof we back-troll plugs and fish bait from the drift boat when ADF&G opens it to kings. See how to fish for king salmon.
Early June or late June? Before June 11 the Kasilof is kings only, if ADF&G has it open, and the sockeye are only starting up the Kenai. By late June the Kasilof has moved to sockeye, the Kenai run is building and the Russian River early run has passed its peak week. If you can only pick one weekend, plan around the peak weeks in the chart above, not a calendar date.
What we recommend. For sockeye in June, book the Kasilof from June 11: it is our best June fishing, and every Kasilof trip is a full day. The Kenai run is still building in June, so if you fish the Kenai, the full day gives the guide time to find fish. Nobody knows in advance how strong a run will be.
Trips to book in June
Kasilof sockeye and kings
Drift boat, full day
$300 per person- Kings in early June when ADF&G opens it
- Sockeye from June 11
Kenai River sockeye
Power boat, from the Pillars Boat Launch
$300 full day · $250 3/4 day- Early part of the run
- Fly and bottom-bounce rigs along the bank
Homer halibut
Top of Ramp 6, Homer Harbor
$350 3/4 day · $400 full day- Best window June 1 to September 15
- See every Homer trip and price
Big River Lakes bears
Float plane from Kenai Airport
$650 per seat · full plane from $575*- June 10 to August 31
- Best June 15 to July 31
*$575 per person at Big River Lakes and $675 at Crescent Lake when your group books the full plane (up to 6 guests; weight limits apply). Individual seats from $650 and $750.
Book more than one trip (say a Kasilof day, a Kenai day and a halibut day) and you get 5% off all of them except bear fly-outs. See the Kenai River and Homer halibut combo.
Bear season opens in June
The Big River Lakes bear season opens June 10 to August 31, with the best viewing June 15 to July 31. Flights leave from the Kenai Airport float plane basin, and you arrive 30 minutes early. In June the sows have cubs on the lake edge, and the bears are working the creeks and shoreline. Bear trips are priced per seat or as a full plane, and the multi-trip discount does not apply to fly-outs. Fishing and bears in one trip is on our fishing and bear viewing packages page.
Weather, daylight and what to pack
June has the longest days of the year, with light through most of the night. It is usually dry and mild by Alaska standards, but rain still comes, and mornings on the water are cool. Wear layers you can add or shed. We do not provide rain gear on any trip, so bring your own jacket and pants. We provide waders and boots on river trips, and we fit them at our Johnsons Drive office when we can. Bring sun protection, polarised glasses and food and water for the day.
You need an Alaska sport fishing license if you are 16 or older, and a king salmon stamp if kings are open and you want to fish for them. Read our Alaska fishing license guide. There is no minimum age on our trips, and kids 8 and up usually do best. For the full packing list, read what to bring and where to meet.
Our shore staff process your fish after the trip for $3.50 a pound on river fish and $2.99 on Homer fish. They can vacuum-seal and freeze it for the flight home.
June or July?
| June | July | |
|---|---|---|
| Sockeye | The early, building part of the run | The heart of the run |
| Kasilof | Kings early (if open), sockeye from June 11 | Sockeye at their strongest |
| Crowds | Fewer boats, easier dates to book | Busiest month, book months ahead |
| Halibut | Inside the best window | Inside the best window |
| Bears | Season opens, sows with cubs | Best viewing continues, Crescent Lake flights start |
See the same breakdown for the next month on Alaska fishing in July, or compare every month on the Kenai Peninsula fishing calendar.
← Previous month: May · Fishing calendar · Next month: July →
Pick a date: Kenai River from $250, Kasilof from $300 per person
Homer halibut, bear viewing and Kasilof trips are on their own pages, linked above. Questions? Call (907) 268-2925. See the cancellation policy.
Questions about fishing in Alaska in June
Is June a good month to fish in Alaska?
Yes. It is the start of the sockeye season on the Kasilof and the Kenai, halibut fishing in Homer is inside its best window, and the days are the longest of the year. The biggest sockeye numbers come in July, so June suits anglers who want fewer crowds and easier dates to book.
What fish are running in Alaska in June?
Sockeye on the Kasilof (trips from June 11) and the early Kenai and Russian River runs (the Russian River early run peaks Jun 20–Jun 26), Kasilof kings when ADF&G opens it, and halibut in Homer. Kenai River trout fishing opens June 11.
Is king salmon fishing open in June?
ADF&G sets this each year and changes it by emergency order, so check the current regulations. We fish for Kasilof kings when ADF&G opens it, with the best fishing May 15 to June 11. 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.
When does the Kenai River open for trout?
Kenai River trout fishing opens June 11 and is closed until then. Our trout trips run August 8 to September 30, with the best fishing mid-August to October 1. Rainbow trout on our trips are catch-and-release.
When do sockeye arrive on the Kenai and Kasilof?
The Kasilof sockeye count begins Jun 15 and our Kasilof sockeye trips start June 11. On the Kenai, June fish are the early run headed for the Russian River; the main Kenai count begins Jul 1 and peaks in July.
When does bear viewing start in Alaska?
Our Big River Lakes bear season opens June 10 to August 31, with the best viewing June 15 to July 31. Flights leave from the Kenai Airport float plane basin, and you should arrive 30 minutes early.
What should I wear for fishing in Alaska in June?
Layers you can add or remove, and your own rain jacket and pants, because we do not provide rain gear on any trip. We provide waders and boots on river trips. Bring sun protection and food and water for the day.
Should I book a Kenai or a Kasilof trip in June?
The Kasilof is a drift-boat float with fewer boats, and it moves from kings (when open) to sockeye from June 11. The Kenai is a power-boat day from the Pillars Boat Launch, with the early sockeye run building. The full day gives the guide the most time to find fish while the run builds. You can book both and get 5% off.