Russian River

The most concentrated sockeye salmon fishery in the world. The Russian River drains Lower Russian Lake and joins the Kenai at the famous Russian River Confluence — the centerpiece of Alaska’s combat salmon fishing. During the peak of the early run (mid-June) and late run (late July), anglers stand shoulder-to-shoulder along the riverbank casting flies for sockeye holding in clear, cold water. The first 1.5 miles above the confluence is fly-fishing-only and one of the most beautiful and accessible sockeye fisheries in Alaska.