Kasilof River King Salmon Fish Counts
Best Fishing Times And Peak Dates
The Kasilof River, located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, is a notable fishing destination known for its abundant salmon runs. While this river would be a lot more famous if it weren’t sitting so close the famed Kenai River, The Kasilof is truly a hidden gem of the Kenai Peninsula – and has an amazing early-run of king salmon along with a equally impressive run of sockeye salmon starting the third week of June. The Kasilof River King Salmon Fish Counts is a great tool to determine the best dates to try for a king salmon on the Kasilof River.
Originating from Tustumena Lake, the river flows southward to the Cook Inlet, covering a significant stretch of Alaskan wilderness. It is especially known for its king and sockeye salmon, providing anglers a more secluded and less crowded experience than the nearby Kenai River. The Kasilof is not only a key site for recreational fishing but also plays an important role in the region’s ecological system and local fisheries. Its relatively undisturbed natural setting provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife species, making it a point of interest for both fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Kasilof River King Salmon Fish Counts - Early Run
The Kasilof River has two runs of king salmon. The early run includes both wild and hatchery king salmon. Crooked Creek Hatchery, established in 1973 on Crooked Creek, a tributary of the Kasilof River, contributes to these populations.
In the Kasilof River’s early run, most king salmon are hatchery-raised, but wild fish also notably contribute to these returns.
The Crooked Creek hatchery, a key facility in the enhancement of king salmon populations in the Kasilof River area, releases a substantial number of king salmon smolts annually. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game releases around 140,500 king salmon fry annually. These fish are imprinted anywhere from 1 week to 10 days before being released.
The updated number reflects ongoing stocking efforts to boost the king salmon population in the creek, targeting a return of about 3,000 fish.
Most early run king salmon in the Kasilof River are typically caught between May 25 and June 15.
Before release, hatchery fish are marked by removing their adipose fin, located between the dorsal fin and the tail.
Kasilof River King Salmon Fish Counts - Late Run
In July, the Kasilof River transforms significantly. Angler attention shifts to the Kenai River, reducing fishing pressure on the Kasilof. The river’s king salmon population also changes, with hatchery numbers decreasing and larger, wild second-run kings arriving. Additionally, the river’s volume increases due to the long days of June and July, making it almost unrecognizable compared to its state in late May and June.
The late run of Kasilof River king salmon often goes unnoticed by many guides and anglers focused on the Kenai River’s salmon. These Kasilof River king salmon stand out for their size and fighting spirit.
The Kasilof River offers a unique opportunity for bank fishing king salmon, unlike the larger Kenai River where salmon stay in deeper channels. The Kasilof’s narrower and shallower nature gives bank fishermen a good chance at catching king salmon. In fact, bank fishermen are estimated to catch up to 50% of the Kasilof’s king salmon.
Best fishing Dates For Alaska's Most Popular Rivers & Species
See the table below for Alaska’s most popular rivers and species. For more specific information on each river, click on the link to be taken to that pages specific review of the fish counts.
| River | Species | Dates | Peak Dates |
| Kenai River | King Salmon Early Run | 5/15 – 6/30 | 6/1 – 6/16 |
| King Salmon Late Run | 7/1 – 8/15 | 7/11 – 7/31 | |
| Sockeye Salmon Run | 7/1 – 8/20 | 7/11 – 8/19 | |
| Silver Salmon Early Run | 8/1 – 8/30 | 8/11 – 8/25 | |
| Silver Salmon Late Run | 9/1 – 9/30 | 9/11 – 9/25 | |
| Kasilof River | King Salmon Early Run | 5/15 – 6/30 | 5/28 – 6/19 |
| King Salmon Late Run | 7/1 – 8/15 | 7/11 – 7/31 | |
| Sockeye Salmon Run | 6/11 – 8/20 | 6/22 – 8/11 | |
| Russian River | Sockeye Salmon Early Run | 6/4 – 7/14 | 6/14 – 7/8 |
| Sockeye Salmon Late Run | 7/15 – 9/10 | 7/28 – 8/24 | |
| Silver Salmon Late Run | 8/1- 9/10 | 8/27 – 9/9 | |
| Copper River | Sockeye Salmon | 5/8 – 7/28 | 5/29 – 7/19 |
| Anchor River | King Salmon | 5/5 – 8/31 | 5/30 – 7/22 |
| Ninilchik River | King Salmon | 5/21 – 8/21 | 6/28 – 7/24 |
| Deshka River | King Salmon | 5/19 – 8/27 | 6/11 – 6/29 |
| Nushagak River | King Salmon | 6/6 – 8/17 | 6/14 – 7/11 |
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