Sockeye Salmon

red salmon The Kenai River sockeye salmon sport fishery is the largest in Alaska and the Russian River sockeye salmon sport fishery is the second largest. These hard fighting fish are usually caught from the bank. The sockeye is considered by many to be the finest table fare of all the salmon. See our article on how to catch sockeye for more information.

Visit our red salmon gallery for pictures and check our catching sockeye salmon page for instructions and some video.

Season: Mid-July to early August. Strong runs of Sockeye salmon come in July.

Russian River Runs

Russian River supports an early and late sockeye salmon run. The season currently opens on June 15 and early run sockeye salmon are present at this time. The run usually peaks the last week of June with lesser numbers of early run fish being present through mid-July. The late run usually arrives in harvestable numbers by July 20. This run peaks the last week of July or early in August. Late run fish are present in reduced numbers until the season closes on August 20.

For More Information

Alaska DFG Fish Species Notebook

Average Size & Records

Reds average 8 to 12 lbs.
The record Alaskan sockeye was 16 lbs., Kenai River, 1974

Fishing Gear & Methods

Single hook artificial lures only.

Regulations

ADF&G publications Sportfishing newsletter, regulations, and much more
Check Emergency Orders before fishing!

Salmon Conservation

Nov	DEC	Mar
	09
2002	2003	2005

Sockeye (Red) Salmon