Alaska is famous for its abundant salmon runs. Every summer, millions of salmon return from the ocean to spawn in Alaskan rivers and streams. Anglers from all over the world come to Alaska to try their hand at catching these mighty fish. But when exactly does salmon season start?
The answer depends on which of the five types of Pacific salmon you want to catch. Here’s a breakdown of when each salmon run occurs in Alaska:
King Salmon
- Peak Season: May – July
- Starts arriving in streams: Early May
- Peak of run: Late May – Early July
The king or chinook salmon kick off the summer salmon fishing season in Alaska. They are the largest of the salmon species, sometimes reaching over 100 pounds.
Kings start entering rivers like the Kenai, Kasilof, and Nushagak in early May. Kings are being caught in Southcentral and Southwest Alaska in full force by late May. The king run is at its strongest in June and early July, when most of these huge fish move into the rivers.
Sockeye Salmon
- Peak Season: June – August
- Starts arriving in streams: Early June
- Peak of run: Mid June – Mid July
Abundant and hard fighting sockeye salmon draw huge numbers of anglers to Alaska each summer. The sockeye run overlaps with the king salmon season but generally gets going in early June.
Famous sockeye fisheries like the Kenai, Copper, and Russian Rivers see hundreds of thousands of reds return annually. The peak of the run, when limits are easiest to achieve, is usually the 4th of July week. But you can catch sockeye well into August.
Coho Salmon
- Peak Season: July – November
- Starts arriving in streams: Mid July
- Peak of run: August – September
Silver or coho salmon are known for their athleticism and aerial acrobatics when hooked They average 8-12 pounds.
Silvers start trickling into rivers in July, but the peak of the coho run is August through September Popular silver salmon spots include the Kenai River, Situk River, and many streams along the road system
In years with favorable ocean conditions, there can be excellent coho fishing as late as November on the Kenai Peninsula.
Pink Salmon
- Peak Season: July – September
- Starts arriving in streams: Early July
- Peak of run: Mid July – Mid August
Pinks or humpies are the most abundant salmon species in Alaska, with runs numbering in the tens of millions. They average 3-5 pounds.
The pink salmon run coincides with the height of summer. Pinks start showing up in streams near the ocean in early July. By mid-July, they are swarming many rivers, including favorites like the Gulkana, Copper, and Taku.
August sees the last push of pinks entering spawning streams before the run tapers off.
Chum Salmon
- Peak Season: July – November
- Starts arriving in streams: Mid July
- Peak of run: Late August – October
Chum or dog salmon runs build through July and peak in the late summer and fall months. Average size is around 8 pounds.
Chums can be caught in huge numbers by anglers at places like Situk River in August and September. They also provide great action in Anchorage area streams and the upper Kenai into November.
Best Time to Catch Salmon in Alaska
While salmon runs occur from May through November, the core summer months of June, July, and August see the overlap of all five species. Mid-July in particular is a prime time, right during the sockeye salmon frenzy.
No matter when you visit Alaska, just know that some type of salmon fishing opportunity awaits. Adjust your tactics and locations to match the salmon run timing, and you’ll increase your chances of hooking one of these iconic fish.
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Alaska Fishing Seasons + Fishing Limits
Halibut fishing is open for fishing March- December.
Tourist Months: May- September
Peak Months: July-August
Best Weather Months: End of May- June
Daily Limit: 2 per angler
Annual Limit: 4 per year
Pacific Cod is open year round with NO Limits
Months: July- December
Daily limit of 1 per person
Alaska Fishing Seasons | Kenai Peninsula
Above all, understanding Alaska fishing seasons is vital to booking the best opportunity for successful fishing. To summarize, review below for the best times to fish and species to fish for. Here, you can successfully plan your Alaska fishing trip with confidence!.
Alaska King Salmon Fishing Opener! (CATCH CLEAN COOK)
FAQ
What months do salmon run in Alaska?
How many salmon can a non-resident keep in Alaska?
Are the salmon running in Alaska right now?
Is Alaskan king salmon in season?
When is salmon season in Alaska?
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. King Salmon fishing begins in May, and you can continue fishing for Silver Salmon all the way through November.
When do Alaska salmon runs start?
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. As the season heats up, Pink and Chum salmon runs get into full swing in July and fishing remains strong through late August.
When do fishing seasons start in Alaska?
Here is a Calendar outlining the Fishing Seasons in Alaska with the regions in which they run indicated as well. – Jan. 1 – Aug. 15: Pacific Cod (Pots) “A” season begins. No fisheries begin in the month of February but several are ongoing from other seasons. – Apr. 15 – June 30: Region 1 – Spring King Salmon (Trolling)
When is the best time to fish for salmon?
Peak season for salmon fishing occurs from May through September, with the five major species spread across the season. King Salmon fishing begins in May, and you can continue fishing for Silver Salmon all the way through November. The entire summer offers at least one type of salmon fishing.