King Salmon are Alaska’s most prized sport fish – and for good reason. These powerful fish can exceed 40+ pounds and will test every ounce of your skill and strength. The moment one hits your line, you’ll understand why anglers travel from around the world to experience it. Our guides know exactly where these fish are – and more importantly, when to find them. Let us put you on the Kings of a lifetime.
At RiverRise Fishing Guides, we’re excited to share the thrill of fishing for King Salmon in the stunning waters of the Kenai & Kasilof Rivers. These incredible fish, known for their size and spirited fights, are a favorite among anglers looking for both a challenge! Whether you’re floating the lower Kasilof River or the Mighty Kenai, our experienced guides are ready to help you find the best spots and share valuable tips to enhance your fishing experience. Let’s dive into the techniques, seasonal insights, and gear you’ll need to make your King Salmon fishing trip truly memorable!
When And Where We Fish For King Salmon
We have to runs on the Kenai & Kasilof Rivers; the “Early Run” and the “Late Run”.
- The “Early Run” fish on both rivers starts around mid-may and will last until around the end of June. That early run of fish on the Kasilof River are primarily hatchery fish and can range anywhere from 8-40 pounds. We generally see the smaller fish pushing in first and the larger fish will follow soon after.
- The “Late Run” of King Salmon on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers are generally bigger fish, but are primarily wild fish (Meaning you cannot retain or remove from the water). The late run will start showing up somewhere between the middle and end of June and can last all the way until the end of the season, July 31st.
The number of King Salmon have been declining over the last few years, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught and knowing when and where to get them is key to being successful. If you’re looking for a King Salmon fishing trip, our guides are very passionate and dedicated to both the fishery and the sport, we will get you on the fish!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Nick put us on Kings all morning. My dad landed a 32-pounder – the fish of a lifetime! Best day of our Alaska trip.”
The Gear We Use to Catch King Salmon
Fishing rods for King Salmon:
- All of our King Salmon rods are made by Stryker Fishing Rods out of Oregon, custom made for RiverRise. The conventional rods are 9′ diver/plug rods and our spinning rods are 10′ 10-20lb float rods. Having the right fishing rod is essential when fishing for Kings!
Fishing reels for King Salmon:
- We use both conventional and spinning reels for Kings. Our conventional reels are Shimano Tekota 400s with line counters and our spinning reels are all 13 Fishing AL-13 reels.
Fishing line for King Salmon:
- The line that we use for King Salmon is all P-Line brand. We use 40-60 pound braid for our mainline and then we use a 30-40 pound fluorocarbon for our leader.
Baits for King Salmon:
- There are really two types of baits that we use for King Salmon; we fish with either lures (like Kwikfish or MagLips) or cured salmon eggs. Both baits are cured specifically to where we are fishing at the time. Some rivers prefer a “hotter” cure, while others use sweeter cures.
WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU NEED!
READY TO CATCH YOUR KING SALMON?
The 2026 King Salmon season runs May 16 – July 31, with peak fishing in late June, when both runs overlap.
What’s Included…
Trip Pricing…
Yes. Regulations change annually and by river. Our guides stay current on all ADF&G regulations to ensure legal and ethical fishing.
Alaska King salmon often range from 20–50+ pounds, with trophy fish exceeding that depending on the run.
Yes. King salmon fishing can be physically demanding, but our guides provide full instruction and gear, making it accessible for beginners.
Common methods include backtrolling plugs, drift fishing with bait, and casting spinners, all tailored to river flow and fish behavior.
King salmon runs typically occur from late May through July, depending on the river system. Peak timing varies by location and water conditions.
