How To Fish For Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon Fishing On The Kenai River & Kasilof River
Welcome to our “How To” series of fishing guides, where we’re excited to present our newest edition: How To Fish For Sockeye Salmon. This guide focuses on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, but the techniques apply to any Alaskan river targeting sockeye salmon. The techniques and gear are versatile methods suitable for various locations across Alaska’s rivers.
We’ll provide insights on how to optimally set up your equipment for an exceptional sockeye fishing experience on these rivers. Understanding the right gear is crucial, so we’ll explore choosing and rigging suitable rods, reels, and lines for sockeye fishing. Delving into these details is key for effective sockeye salmon fishing. Our how to fish for sockeye salmon guide caters to anglers of all skills, aiming to enhance your fishing expertise and deepen your knowledge. It’s designed to bring you closer to the excitement of catching a sockeye salmon. This guide is particularly useful if you’re joining our charter trips, preparing you for an unforgettable fishing experience. It ensures you’re well-equipped for a memorable angling adventure on our charters.
Rule #1 - Show up when the fish do
If you want to know how to fish for sockeye salmon, showing up when the fish show up is the best start. This is always our #1 rule! On all major rivers and species of salmon of interest in Alaska there is typically a fish counting system of some sort put in place to help gauge how many fish are returning each year.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s sockeye salmon sonar counters are crucial for understanding annual returns in the Kenai, Kasilof, and Russian Rivers. They play a vital role in tracking the sockeye salmon’s yearly journey. Sport fishing anglers can use this data to predict the most productive fishing days with high certainty. This information allows them to plan their fishing trips effectively around peak times.
By using sound waves, the sonar counters accurately count passing salmon, providing vital data. This method offers essential insights into population trends and migration patterns. Such data is crucial for sustainable fishery management, helping to preserve salmon populations. This information ensures Sockeye Salmon populations remain healthy, meeting both ecological and recreational needs. It balances fishing interests with the need for ecological conservation.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Kenai River Sockeye Salmon is their remarkable homing instinct. These majestic fish return to their natal spawning grounds with incredible precision year after year. It’s often said that they will return to the exact spot where their parents spawned, and their timing is just as precise, typically within just a few days of when their parents were there in previous years.
When to Fish The Kenai River For Sockeye Salmon
The Kenai River sockeye salmon run is one of the largest sockeye runs in the entire state. These second run sockeye salmon are also genetically the largest sockeye salmon stocks in the world. The proximity of the Kenai River and this amazing fishery to Anchorage, also makes it one of the most sought after fisheries in Alaska as well.
Unlike several other rivers in the region, The Kenai River has a single, massive, run of sockeye, that is often called the late-run even though there is only one run. Officially, this run begins July 1st and goes until the last few sockeye enter the river for spawning which is typically pretty consistent through the 3rd week of August.
The Kenai River is a massive river and it can hold an enormous amount of fish. We don’t really think the salmon fishing is “excellent” until we see around 25,000 salmon a day entering the river. This will first occur right around July 17. It will continue to grow and gain strength throughout most of July and will finally trail off around August 21. Some years the run lasts a little longer, some years it ends earlier. But looking at the three year average for 2021, 2022, and 2023 provides these numbers.
When to Fish The Kasilof River For Sockeye Salmon
The Kasilof River is located a short 10 minute drive south from Soldotna and the Kenai River. The Kasilof River, while less renowned than the Kenai, deserves equal attention and admiration for its beauty. Spanning 18 miles, this shallow river is navigated mainly by drift boat, offering a quieter setting than the motorboat-filled Kenai. Additionally, a large part of the upper Kasilof flows through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
The Kasilof River is also not near as wide as the Kenai River. The Kasilof River’s sockeye salmon, though smaller than Kenai’s, are still impressive and exciting to catch in shallow waters. A highlight of the Kasilof is the sockeye’s early arrival, about 4 weeks before Kenai’s, making them the season’s first catch.
The fishing on the Kasilof River Starts to get good each year starting around June 22nd. The run will peak around the 3rd week of July and continue until around August 15th.
When to Fish The Russian River For Sockeye Salmon
The Russian River sockeye salmon runs are split into two periods. The early run from June 1 to July 14 and the late from July 15 to September 7. However, fishing on the Russian River doesn’t open until June 11. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game manages these two runs independently, with separate escapement targets for each.
The early run of Russian River sockeye salmon is remarkable, as they journey almost the Kenai River’s full length. They reach the confluence with the Russian River at River Mile 74, showcasing their impressive capabilities. From there, they journey another 13 miles upstream to the Russian River Lake for spawning. The peak period of this early run is typically from June 17 to July 4. It’s important to note that the sonar tracking for these fish is located at Russian River Lake, far upstream from legal sport fishing areas.
Russian River Sockeye Late Run
In contrast, the late run starting July 15 is intermingled with the Kenai River’s late sockeye salmon run. During this period, daily fish counts can exceed 100,000, with about 3% of these fish headed for the Russian River. This translates into a significant number of fish migrating up the river, making it an excellent fishing destination. The peak of the late run fishing is almost four weeks long, from August 15th to September 1st, and fishing is considered excellent when counts are above 1,000 fish.
Both runs are notable for their peak sizes being nearly identical, offering great fishing opportunities during those times. As with the early run, the sonar used for counting these fish is located at Russian River Lake, well beyond the legal sport fishing areas, a factor that anglers should consider. Further details on this aspect are discussed later.
Note that Russian River Sockeye are counted several miles above the legal sport fishing area. For optimal fishing, target 4-7 days before the dates indicated on the graph for Russian River sockeye.
Rods & Reels
Sockeye Salmon Fishing Rods
Deciding on the right rod and reel is a frequent query from those eager to fish for sockeye salmon. People often ask us about the best gear for this type of fishing. There are numerous excellent choices for picking the ideal rod and reel for sockeye fishing in the Kenai, Russian, and Kasilof Rivers. Each option has its benefits for fishing in these specific rivers.
Our preferred choice for Kenai River sockeye salmon charters is the locally-sourced Kenai Red by Okuma. This rod is our top pick for its effectiveness in local waters. Okuma, a well-respected fishing brand, manufactures this rod, ensuring quality and reliability. Available at Trustworthy Hardware in Soldotna, the Kenai Red is specifically designed for the local fishing environment. This rod is crafted to excel in the unique conditions of the Kenai area.
Sockeye Salmon fishing Reels
For reels, we consistently choose the Okuma SLV 89B. It’s our preferred reel for sockeye salmon fishing. This reel perfectly balances being lightweight for enjoyable fishing and robust enough for the largest sockeye. It’s well-suited for handling even the biggest catches in these rivers. The Okuma SLV 89B is the ideal match for the Kenai River Red rod. Together, they form an unbeatable combination for sockeye salmon fishing.
It’s worth noting that fishing in these rivers doesn’t demand overly technical gear. A wide array of rods and reels from various manufacturers will serve you well. The key is to opt for a rod that is around 9 to 10 feet in length with a 7 to 10 weight rating. Similarly, for reels, anything that’s suited for 8 wt to 9 wt should work splendidly. Whether you prefer bait casters, spinning reels, or fly reels, you’re set for a great fishing experience. We like using the Okuma fly reels due to their low profile and lightweight design, making them an ideal choice for these river fishing adventures.
Additionally the Kenai River Red retails for around $65.00 and the reel is approximately $65.00 as well. Add some backing and line to it and your out the door at approximately $150.00
Line Type & rigging
What type of line to use is another common question we get from people wanting to know how to fish for sockeye salmon. Some backing, followed by mono, is what we use on all our Kenai River sockeye salmon charters. You want something thin that will provide as little water resistance as possible. A thick line, like traditional fly line, will get swept downstream by the current very quickly and it will be difficult to get the leader to the bottom.
25 lb – 30 lb monofilament is a great choice. Then add either a barrel swivel or a three-way swivel. With barrel swivels you can simply add the appropriate amount of split shot to the main line just above the swivel. With three-way swivels you can use a duosnap, or any other of a dozen different ways, to attach your weight to the bottom leg of the three way swivel.
After the barrel swivel its a simple 4′ – 6′ leader to a hook with a tiny piece of yarn, or a small bead. Anything that will give the hook a small amount of floatation.
How you attach your leader really makes no difference and neither does the types of weights that you use. Split shot above the swivels is great, droppers on a 3 way swivel is great. Also, whether you use beads or yarn or the natural feathers that may have come on a pre-tied leader, it is all just personal preference. Pro Tip: If you look at the leader in the photo you’ll see an enormous amount of yellow feathers for floatation. That looks great on a consumer shelf but is way too much floatation for sockeye fishing. Take a pair of scissors and clip those feathers off almost all the way to the red yarn.
What to Bring
At Kenai Sportfishing, our guided sockeye 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 sockeye Salmon
Once the main run of sockeye hit the Kenai River starting around July 14th, not only are we expecting to catch fish, but we are usually able to get anglers their full limits of fish. For Kenai River sockeye and Kasilof River sockeye that is 3 per person per day.
We taught anglers of all ages and capabilities to do these trips and have had even 8 year olds catching limits of Kenai River Sockeye.
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!