How To Fish For Silver Salmon
Silver Salmon Fishing On The Kenai River & Kasilof River
Fall fishing in Alaska is pretty spectacular. Especially as we start talking about trout, steelhead and silver salmon. We’re excited to spotlight How To Fish For Silver Salmon. Fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers for silver salmon is a fall favorite of ours. We are particularly fond our guided Kenai River silver salmon fishing trips. As summer crowds dissipate, and the Alaskan landscape begins to showcase its stunning fall colors, silver salmon commence their journey up the Kenai Peninsula watershed.
These trips offer a unique opportunity to fish in a less crowded, serene environment. Kenai Silver Salmon are known for their aggressive response to a variety of lures, making the experience enjoyable and exhilarating for anglers of all types. From August 10th to 20th, there’s an opportunity to target both Kenai River sockeye salmon and silver salmon. After August 21st, as the sockeye run winds down, our focus shifts exclusively to silver salmon fishing. We’ll give you some insight into optimal gear setup and techniques for silver salmon fishing. It’s designed for anglers at all skill levels, aiming to enhance your proficiency and enjoyment in catching these magnificent fish. This knowledge is particularly beneficial if you’re planning to join us on one of our charter trips, preparing you for an unforgettable angling adventure amidst the beauty of Alaska’s fall season.
Rule #1 - Show up when the fish do
This is always our #1 rule! On all major rivers and species of salmon of interest in Alaska there is typcially a fish counting system of some sort put in place to help gauge how many fish are returning each year.
Unfortunately, unlike king salmon and sockeye salmon, there are no counting sonars for silver salmon on either the Kenai River or the Kasilof River. So, we are not able to predict the total number of silver salmon that come up these rivers the way we do with king salmon and sockeye salmon.
Instead we have to use the knowledge that comes from fishing the river for these fish for many years.
When to Fish The Kenai & Kasilof River For Silver Salmon
Typically, there would be a graph and analysis of Kenai River silver salmon counts, detailing their arrival times and peak fishing periods. However, silver salmon aren’t officially counted on the Kenai River.
We do know there are two distinct runs. The Kenai River silver salmon early-run which peaks in mid-August and the late-run which peaks in mid-September. The early run significantly overlaps a good portion of the sockeye run during the first 15-20 days of August. Just as the last remaining sockeye arrive the early silver salmon run peaks.
The late-run of Kenai River silver salmon officially starts on September 1st and limits are raised to 3 silver salmon per person per day. It’s also of interest to note that the city of Kenai hosts a Kenai River Silver Salmon Derby each year during the peak of the September run.
The graph we have provided here is an illustration that shows a depiction of what the Kenai River silver salmon fish counts might look like if it were possible to count these fish. We’ve intentionally stayed away from predicting a number of fish each day but instead just want to communicate periods of optimum fishing.
How We target silver salmon
Our approach to catching Kenai River silver salmon mirrors that of king salmon fishing. We use smaller bait-wrapped Kwikfish, eggs on Spin-n-Glo lures, or back-bounce eggs. In the typically slower, shallower waters for silver salmon, we also incorporate spinners. Casting and slowly retrieving these as they drift downstream makes for a more interactive fishing experience.
Unlike king salmon fishing in July, once August arrives anchoring is permitted, allowing us to position the boat in prime spots without needing to constantly back-troll. This creates a more relaxed fishing experience, often enhanced by lunch and snacks on the boat, and frequently featuring salmon.
We also often incorporate a buoy anchoring system for our Kenai River silver salmon fishing charters. For larger silver salmon that get out into the deep swift current, we can use the quick-release buoy to quickly come off of anchor and use the boat to chase the salmon. This setup provides the flexibility to fight a big catch using the boat’s mobility. While often not necessary, it’s a valuable option to have.
Silver Salmon Fishing - what to expect
Our full-day sockeye salmon fishing trips meet at 6:30 AM. However, as fall approaches, around September 1st, we start a bit later to avoid fishing in the dark. We usually launch from Eagle Rock boat launch on the lower Kenai River. Upon arrival, you’ll find us ready with all the necessary gear for an immediate start.
Most of the day will be spent on the boat, typically ready to fish within 5 to 10 minutes. We employ various fishing techniques, rarely needing to leave the boat. Restrooms are conveniently located, and we plan regular stops every few hours, though we can adjust based on needs.
Be prepared for colder mornings in the fall, with increased moisture and a chance of rain. It’s essential to check our recommendations on what to bring for your trip.
Our full-day trips run from 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM. We also offer half-day trips in the morning from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM and in the afternoon from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
What to Bring
At Kenai Sportfishing, our guided silver salmon fishing trips come equipped with nearly everything you need for a successful day on the water. This includes top-quality fishing rods, reels, bait, nets, and all the essential gear. The only thing you must bring is a valid fishing license, appropriate clothing for the weather for the day, and any food & snack you might need.
To ensure you have a comfortable experience while fishing with us, here are some items you might consider packing:
- Your fishing license
- Clothing suited for the day’s weather. Alaskan weather can be quite unpredictable, so it’s wise to pack layers – perhaps warmer clothes for the morning, lighter options like t-shirts for mid-afternoon, and rain gear for later in the day. Checking the weather forecast and planning your attire accordingly will keep you comfy throughout the day.
- Sunscreen to protect against UV rays.
- A hat and gloves, especially useful in the cooler hours.
- Sunglasses for eye protection and enhanced visibility.
- Your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. Feel free to bring adult beverages if you like.
- A waterproof case for your cellphone – not just for accidental dips in the water, but also for those rainy moments.
- And last but not least, bring a great attitude! We’re passionate about fishing and can’t wait to share this experience with you. We’re all in this together, aiming for an unforgettable day of fishing
What Are The chances of catching a silver Salmon
We’ll catch our first few silver salmon of the year while we’re standing in the water fishing for sockeye. Usually this happens in the last week of July and the first week of August.
By the time we reach about August 10th we can really start targeting the silver salmon specifically and will do this almost entirely from the boat. If we are fishing after August 10th the chances of catching silver salmon are very good. In fact, if we’re fishing between August 10 and August 20 the chances of catching sockeye salmon along with the silver salmon is absolutely excellent. Limits of sockeye salmon are normal for those 10 days.
These trips are great for experienced anglers or those that are new to fishing. We provide all the necessary gear, bait, and expertise.
We offer both full-day 7 hour trips or 3/4-day 5 hours trips. Our 3/4-day trips are from 6:30AM – 11:30AM and 12:30PM – 5:30PM and our full day trips are from 6:30AM – 1:30PM
Ready to go Fishing?
Ready to cast your line into the stunning waters of the Kenai River? For more information or to book your unforgettable fishing adventure, visit our ‘Trips & Bookings’ page. Dive deeper into the Kenai River experience and secure your spot with Kenai Sportfishing today – where epic catches and breathtaking scenery await!