Kasilof River · 2026
The peninsula's only open king fishery
With the Kenai shut for the season, the Kasilof is where king fishing still happens — hatchery fish only, and the rules have more teeth than most people expect.
Verified against ADF&G on 1 August 2026. Alaska fisheries change by emergency order, sometimes mid-week. Always confirm before you fish — ADF&G Soldotna on (907) 262-9368.
The rules, in order of how easily they catch people out
Hatchery fish only
One hatchery king of 20 inches or more, 1 May to 30 June. A hatchery fish has a healed adipose fin-clip scar. Intact adipose fin means wild, and wild fish must be released immediately.
One lure, no bait
One unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure, from the mouth to the Tustumena Lake outlet. This is not the place to turn up with a bait rig.
Keep one and you are done
Retain a hatchery king over 20 inches and you may not fish for any species for the rest of that day anywhere in the Kasilof drainage.
Harvest record, and a closed reach
Record the fish before you carry on. The water below the Crooked Creek confluence is closed 1 May to 31 July.
Source: ADF&G emergency order 2-KS-1-18-26 (corrected version).
Straight answers
Kasilof questions
Is the Kasilof River open for king salmon in 2026?
Yes, for hatchery kings only, from 1 May to 15 August 2026 under emergency order 2-KS-1-18-26. It is the only open king fishery in fresh water on the Kenai Peninsula this season.
How do I tell a hatchery king from a wild one?
A hatchery fish has a healed scar where the adipose fin was clipped — the small fleshy fin on the back between the dorsal fin and the tail. If the adipose fin is intact, the fish is wild and must be released immediately, without delay.
What gear can I use on the Kasilof?
One unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure only, from the river mouth up to the outlet of Tustumena Lake. No bait.
What happens after I keep a king on the Kasilof?
Once you retain a hatchery king over 20 inches, you may not fish for any species for the rest of that day anywhere in the Kasilof River drainage. You also have to record the fish on your harvest record before you continue.
Is any part of the Kasilof closed?
Yes. The area below the Crooked Creek confluence is closed from 1 May to 31 July 2026.
Who can take you
Guides who run the Kasilof
Every business in our directory is listed free and lists its own phone, email and website. We take no commission and no booking — you deal with the operator directly.