Alaska is famous for its abundant salmon runs. Every summer, millions of salmon return from the ocean to spawn in Alaskan rivers and streams With five species of Pacific salmon, there are runs happening at different times from May through October Here is a guide to the peak seasons for the various salmon species in Alaska
King Salmon
Also known as Chinook salmon, King salmon run from late May until late July.
- Peak season: Mid-May to Mid-July
- Average weight: 15-40 lbs
- Record weight: 97 lbs
King salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon species. They can grow up to 40 inches long. With their large size and firm texture, King salmon are prized by anglers and are the preferred salmon for grilling. The Kenai and Copper Rivers are two top destinations for targeting trophy-sized King salmon.
Pink Salmon
During mid-July to mid-August, it’s the pink and sockeye salmon’s turn to run.
- Peak season: Mid-July to Mid-August
- Average weight: 3-5 lbs
- Record weight: 12 lbs
Pink salmon, also called humpies, are the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. They get their name from the bright pink bands on their sides when they return to freshwater. Pinks are popular with anglers for their willingness to bite flies and lures. You can catch them in huge numbers during the peak of their run.
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon overlap with pink salmon in their summer run timing.
- Peak season: Mid-July to Mid-August
- Average weight: 4-8 lbs
- Record weight: 15 lbs
Sockeye salmon are recognizable by their bright red bodies and green heads. They get their rich color from their diet, which consists primarily of krill and plankton. Sockeye salmon make long migrations and have one of the highest fat contents of salmon species. This makes them excellent for cooking salmon fillets.
Coho Salmon
Also known as silver salmon, coho salmon run from July to October.
- Peak season: Late August to Early October
- Average weight: 8-12 lbs
- Record weight: 31 lbs
Coho salmon are known for their intense spawning colors of bright red and green. They have a medium oil content, making them great for cooking salmon on the barbecue or in the oven. Many anglers target coho in rivers as they aggressively take flies and lures when entering freshwater.
Chum Salmon
Chum salmon runs overlap with coho salmon from July to October.
- Peak season: Mid-August to Mid-October
- Average weight: 8-15 lbs
- Record weight: 35 lbs
Chum salmon are the least popular salmon among anglers because of their low oil content and pale flesh. However, they are important for native subsistence fisheries in Alaska and provide nutrients to the rivers and surrounding ecosystems.
- May – July: King Salmon
- July – August: Pink Salmon, Sockeye Salmon
- August – October: Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon
Keep in mind that run timing varies annually depending on water conditions, so check current fishing regulations before your trip. With a diversity of species, Alaska offers salmon fishing opportunities from early summer through fall. Experiencing the salmon runs is a bucket-list experience for any angler or outdoor enthusiast.
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Kenai Salmon Fishing in June
June continues with more spring king fishing as the runs build and the trailers begin to fill the parking areas. As spring transitions into summer the fishing slows while we wait for the second run to arrive. This can be a few days or even a week but all the time there are stragglers from the early run being mixed with the early arrivers from the second run. Salmon fishing on the Kenai in June goes through warm and cool spells making your guide very important in knowing where and how to find the fish on a regular basis.
July is the month referred to as king fishing madness. The second run of Kings has arrived and everything is in place to make your fishin trip a real success. Warn weather, lot’s of fishing choices and long summer days that extend your time on the waters. Check our Kenai River salmon run timing chart below for more details.
Kenai Salmon Fishing in July
Among locals, July is notorious for the fill the freezer fishing frenzy that accompanies the return of the Kenai River wild and crazy sockeye salmon fishery. Just imaging, last summer on July 17th, 230,643 sockeye, that’s nearly a quarter of a million fish, entered the river on that one day alone. How many rivers can make that claim? What makes it really spectacular is the size of the river, this is no Columbia or Yukon size river by any means. If you need a Kenai River sockeye fishing guide give us a call.
Grizzly Bears: The Drama of the Alaskan Salmon Run | Alaska | Wild Travel | Robert E Fuller
FAQ
When can I see the salmon run in Alaska?
Peak Salmon Runs are May to September
If you’re visiting Alaska, you’ll mostly likely to arrive in summer. Peak season for salmon fishing occurs from May through September, with the five major species spread across the season.
Are the salmon running in Alaska right now?
Alaska salmon runs extend from May through October. Fresh water runs typcially begin in mid-May with the arrival of King (Chinook) Salmon, followed by Sockeye runs from June through August.
What is the King salmon season in Alaska?
Alaska King salmon fishing season typically runs from May to early July, though it varies depending on region and fishing method.
What is the salmon run in Alaska 2025?
The 2025 Alaska salmon season is projected to be strong, with record-breaking sockeye forecasts for some areas and a total commercial harvest potentially exceeding 200 million fish.