The Alaskan Salmon runs: A complete guide from an Alaskan Fishing Guide
When are the Alaskan Salmon runs?
Alaskan Salmon runs
The best time to fish in Alaska is certainly a loaded question. I’ve been fishing in Alaska for 8 years, and I’ve seen late runs and early returns, Chinook closures, and more fish than one could count. So in this article, I will cover each of the salmon runs and when the best time to fish for them would be!
King Salmon or Chinook Salmon are typically the first to arrive in many parts of the state, the further south you are in Alaska the sooner they will begin to return.
The earliest Kings return to their Alaskan spawning grounds in May to late May. They will continue to return through the end of July when most of the freshwater areas close to King Salmon fishing for the season. King Salmon on average weigh between 15-35 pounds in most of the state with some achieving weight of up to 50 pounds!
It is important to be aware that the regulations surrounding Chinook salmon vary greatly depending on the year and the area you want to fish. I would recommend always checking the Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations and Emergency Orders before heading out to fish. You can check out ADFG here!
Spawning Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon Runs in Alaska
Or reds as they are often called by Alaskans, are some of the best-eating and most prolific of all the salmon. So when to fish for sockeye, typically sockeye are available throughout the state starting in June through July.
Some rivers receive two runs which can make the timing a little tricky, but if it were up to us we would recommend July as the best time to visit for the sockeye salmon run. Sockeye Salmon in Alaska typically weigh between 5-8 Lbs and are fantastic fighters, often being very aerial fish, jumping over and over again while you try your best to keep them on the hook!
Fun Fact: If you have ever bought wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon from the grocery store there is a very good chance that it came from Bristol bay. Bristol bay has the largest and last great wild sockeye salmon run in the world, the bay averages a return of 45-60 million sockeye per year with most rivers having an escapement of around 2 million each! The entire Kenai only receives around 2.5 million and with it being on the road system and accessible by anyone in south central Alaska the fishing there can be well let’s just call it combative.
Combat fishing (Not Bristol bay)
Lot’s of space to Fish on the Naknek river (Bristol bay)
Pink Salmon & Chum salmon Runs in Alaska
Chum Salmon caught in a Naknek river Tributary
Pink Salmon or humpies
If you want a chance at the pink salmon run in Alaska we would recommend visiting between June through August!
Some rivers receive some pinks in odd-numbered years but often significantly less than in even-numbered years.
Pink Salmon are smaller in comparison to their other salmon cousins averaging a weight of about 3-6 lbs and most anglers choose to release pinks as they do not freeze well and the meat is rather mushy, they make excellent smoked salmon tho!
Chum or Dog Salmon
Timing chums is easier than you think, in most of the state they run alongside at least one other type of salmon, So visiting late June through September should give you an opportunity to connect with these amazing fish!
Chums by far are the least loved of all the salmon, Our distaste for chum salmon is probably misplaced or at least misguided, I know chums are not very good to eat but we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this amazing fish. One of my best memories was guiding some close friends to some amazing spots holding huge Chums!
Coho (Silver Salmon) near it’s spawning grounds
Alaskan Salmon runs
Alaskan Silver Salmon Run
If you are thinking of visiting Alaska for the Silver Salmon run we would recommend Late July - September depending on where in the State you are visiting. If you are traveling to the Katmai area our Silvers tend to arrive the first week of August and peak around mid-August.
Silvers are probably the hardest-fighting of all the salmon and certainly give the Chinooks a run for their money. They tend to be more aggressive when striking the bait, and certainly don’t hold anything back after they are hooked. Silver Salmon also makes excellent table fare with flaky pink meat it is always great to have a few in the freezer.
If you are looking for an amazing recipe for the Salmon you catch check this one out from our friends over at Be Wild Eats they have tons of amazing recipes!
Check out our chart of the Alaskan Salmon runs and when to visit we are always here to help answer any questions you may have!
Thank you,
Steven Benjamin
About the Author
Steven J. Benjamin is a highly regarded, Fishing guide, USCG Capitan, Save Bristol Bay Guide Ambassador, Fly Fishing Instructor, and Rainbow trout and Arctic grayling record holder. He has successfully guided guests from around the world helping them catch wild salmon & trophy Rainbow trout. Together with his wife Tiara, all of their guests’ expectations are met.
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