Lower Kasilof Low Tide 1500×500

KASILOF RIVER FISHING GUIDES

The Kasilof River is located 12 miles south of the Kenai River and the town of Soldotna. It originates from Tustamena Lake, the largest Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, and flows 17 miles before emptying into Cook Inlet.  The Kasilof is much more glacially turbid than the Kenai River.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time angler, we are the Kasilof River Alaska Fishing Guides for you. We provide all the fishing equipment you will need for the perfect day on the water. Unlike our other Alaska Fishing Trips, all of our Kasilof River Fishing is conducted exclusively with drift boats.

Offering fun Half Day and Full Day Guided Fishing Trips on the Kasilof River for families, friends, couples, business travelers and more. Come enjoy Kasilof salmon fishing during the prime fishing seasons!

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KASILOF RIVER RUNS AND PEAKS

Lower Kasilof River Alaska Fishing is the most heavily booked trip of the river with two primary returns of king salmon.  The first run is largely hatchery in origin with most of the fish returning to a tributary just above tidewater named Crooked Creek. This fishery begins in mid-May and extends through the month of June.  The late run of Kasilof Kings arrived in early July and peaks in the third and fourth week of the same month before closing on August 1. This return is entirely wild fish that are primarily headed upriver below Tustamena Lake to spawn.

The late run Kasilof kings, known as “Tusties,” rival the large Kenai King salmon in size with fish over 50 lbs. not uncommon.  The Kasilof also sees a very large return of sockeye salmon that begins in late May and peaks in early July.  In August and September, the Kasilof sees a good return of silver salmon as well as a steelhead run in late September, October, and November.

The section from Tustamena Lake to the Sterling Highway bridge is known as the “Upper Kasilof” and partially flows through the very scenic Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  This section can be very productive for sockeye salmon as they migrate from saltwater upriver to tributaries of Tustamena Lake. Upper Kasilof River fishing is also an excellent trip to target silver salmon in late August and September as well as steelhead in October and November.

KASILOF RIVER FISHING TRIP OPTIONS

KASILOF KING SALMON TRIPS

Kasilof River 1 750×750

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KASILOF SOCKEYE SALMON TRIPS

Kasilof Sockeye Drift Boat 750×750

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KASILOF SILVER SALMON TRIPS

Kasilof Silver Salmon August 1 750×750

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KASILOF STEELHEAD SALMON TRIPS

Kasilof River Steelhead 750×750

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KASILOF RIVER FISHING PHOTOS

Kasilof River Fishing Guides

BOOK YOUR ALASKA FISHING TRIP
WITH MARK GLASSMAKER TODAY!

BOOK YOUR ALASKA FISHING TRIP

1-800-622-1177mark@mgfalaska.com

FAQ’s

What is the difference between the Kasilof River and the Kenai River?

The Kenai and the Kasilof Rivers are similar in many ways but also very different.  The Kasilof is considerable smaller than the Kenai and much shorter in length.  The Kasilof is 17 miles long from its outlet at Tustumena Lake to where is enters Cook Inlet.  The Kenai by comparison is 83 miles long.  The Kasilof has one lake in its system (Tustumena) and the Kenai has two Lakes (Kenai and Skilak).  The Kasilof is largely a drift boat only river and the Kenai is mostly accessed by power boat.

Can you keep king salmon in Kasilof River?

The early run of Kasilof River King salmon is one of the last viable king salmon fisheries available in all southcentral Alaska.  This is a hatchery origin run that returns to a tributary to the Kasilof named Crooked Creek and the fishery takes place from mid-May through mid-June.  The fish average 12-18 lbs. and the limit is two fish per person, per day.  The July king salmon fishery on the Kasilof river will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Can you fish the Kenai River without a guide?

Yes, the Kenai and the Kasilof have serval access points for fishing from the shore and a guide is not required on either river to fish both from a boat or from shore.

What is the best month for salmon fishing?

The best time to fish the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers all depends on the species you are targeting.  Sockeye salmon fishing is best in mid to late June for Russian River bound sockeye and in July and early August for Late Run Kenai River Sockeye.  Silver Fishing is best in August and September.  Pink salmon fishing is best in August, but they are only present in high numbers on even years.