Russian River Alaska Fishing
Lorriane Nasuti
Russian River, Quartz Creek, Deep Creek, Kasilof River, Anchor River, and of course the Kenai River are all world-class fisheries that host thousands of anglers who come annually for the sole purpose of fishing one or several of these systems. The Sterling Highway deserves a stoke award for the heavy hitters that it runs along and through. Four species of salmon, rainbow trout, dolly varden, and steelhead are all present in these waters.
One of the many great things about Alaska is the availability of world-class fishing right off the road. From Prudhoe Bay to Prince of Wales, epic fishing can be found not far from a road system. While experiencing fishing in remote Alaska is truly an amazing experience, the time and money required make these excursions infrequent for most anglers. No need to worry, one of the best fishing rivers, period, is the Kenai River, and all 82 miles are accessible by roads. The Kenai Peninsula is my stomping grounds and hosts several fantastic fisheries with quick access such as the Russian River.
18 years ago, the Russian River became my home and source of employment. By day I was one of the standard hippies you saw working the contact booth. After work all my time was spent learning the finer points of salmon and rainbow trout fishing. As a Wisconsin native my days on water involved a canoe hunting musky, pike, and walleye in the many lakes there. Scouring the banks of the Russian River with a fly rod swinging streamers and drifting egg patterns was 100% different.
Time and budget always shape our movement into a new pastime, and with the quick drive from Anchorage, the Russian River and Kenai River will provide years of enjoyment for folks of all abilities, time, and financial levels. I still go back to the Russian River and drift dry flies, mostly wearing shorts and sandals (there are plenty of hooks in the Russian River, wear sandals at your own risk).
Our family are planning to fish for sockeye salmon at the Russian River and we were wondering when the best time was to go. Preferably, a week during the middle-end of June to the beginning of July. Also, if you could recommend the best fishing techniques for sockeye on the Russian River that would be great. And in addition, where the best bank access points are.
The typically the best part of the 1st run of Sockeye Salmon would be from the June 11th opener to the 25th. This timing can be all over the board, just depends on when the fish show up. As far as access goes, I would say go in to the Russian River Campground and get day parking. You can access the entire river from that point. Lots of holes to fish.
As for techniques. Most people are going to tell you that they won't eat a fly and that you have to line them, this method definitely works. I like to fish a ultra heavy sink tip and a small shrimp fly, they will eat a fly. I would recommend an 8 or 9wt rod. You typically do not have a lot of room to play the fish, so you need to be able to put the wood to them and bank them. You can do some walking and find some quieter water to fish, you might have to wait for pushes to come through. Be bear aware, they tend to be around quite a bit. They are more interested in the fish than you but you definitely want to be aware and paying attention. Also note, any pack you bring has to be on you, you can not leave them on the back and walk away from them.
I'd be happy to help! Usually the best window on the Russian River and/or the Russian River/Kenai River Confluence is best from June 11th until the first week or so of July. The peak is usually around the 18th or so of June; however, that can change sometimes daily and year to year. The best bank access points are from the Russian River Campground where you can hike down to the Russian River. You can also access the Russian River as well as the Kenai River from the Russian River Ferry at Sportsman's Landing here in Cooper Landing. Be sure to check the regs as you can not use bait, your hooks have to be 3/8" gap or less and it is "fly-fishing only" in those areas.
Congrats on you and your family's upcoming trip to Alaska! The Russian River is very user friendly and is adequately signed with trails, access, and parking. It is also a smaller river and very easily navigated. Salmon run timings always vary a little from year to year but generally the first part of July is a pretty good bet. You should definitely consult Alaska fish and game regulations before fishing. In the regs they have stipulations on how rigs can be fished legally. The main tactic used is called "flossing" or "lining" and it is a unique tactic all in to itself. There are flies named "russian river" flies. They consist of a very stout hook and a minimally dressed fly with some flash. They are easily found at tackle and fly shops here in AK. Good luck!
The Russian River is a dynamic, 12-mile long river at the heart of one of the most prolific fisheries in Alaska. Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula and world-class Silver Salmon and Sockeye Salmon fishing. People come from around the world to go fly fishing on the Russian River in Alaska, enjoying the outdoor recreation and the beautiful scenery all around the area. The Russian River is only 12-miles long, but it offers impressive runs of Silver Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, big Rainbow Trout, and Dolly Varden. The river begins at Upper Russian Lake and winds its way through Lower Russian Lake until it empties into the Kenai River. In terms of locality, the Russian is just 110 miles south of Anchorage, which is about 2-hours by car.
Many people come to the Russian River to fish, and others come to camp in the local campgrounds, raft the river, and hike the local area and even enjoy multi-day backpacking trips along the Russian Lakes Trail.That Russian Lakes Trail is a great option for people that want to pack up a backpack and hike in the wilderness of Alaska. You can enter from the Russian River Campground and parking area at mile 52.6. The trail is 26.3 miles long, and you can overnight at the campgrounds at Upper Russian Lake, Barber Cabin, and Aspen Flats. For those of you who want a comfortable but beautiful hike, the Russian Lakes Trail makes a great day hike between the Russian River Campground and Russian River Falls. Always be wary of bear and never bug the moose. There are also cabins available through the US Forest Service. They offer 3-4 rustic cabins along the Russian Lakes Trail.
First, the fishing here is fantastic. The Russian River is closed to King Salmon fishing, though they are present. There is a great deal of conservation here, and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game monitors fish populations daily. The targets here are Sockeye Salmon, Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Dolly Varden. You can think of Dolly Varden char as fancy Rainbow Trout. They are cousins, and they share the same role in the rivers here.
The Russian River is a narrow river making it a magnificent walk-and-wade river, and that means excellent DIY fishing, though a guide is handy in these parts. The most fished area of the river is the stretch that begins at the confluence of the Kenai & Russian Rivers - located three miles from where it empties into the Kenai River to the Kenai River itself. There are small stretches where you can float, but the majority of fishing here is walk and wade. If you love to drift/float, then your best bet is booking a guide from the Cooper Landing area.
An Important Note about fishing the Russian River - The River is listed as a fly fishing only river by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. What that means is that you must use a fly, not a lure or hook. You may most certainly fish with a fly rod or a spin-caster rod, but you must use a fly. Alaska Department of Fish & Game has a great overview of fishing details & regulations on the Russian River.
The best time to fish for Silver Salmon is from Late July through September. The peak for Silvers is Mid-Aug, and by mid-September, the bulk of the run has passed the Weir. The Fish and Game Department has a fishing weir on the Russian, and once the fish pass the Weir, they are off-limits. Silver Salmon Runs on the Russian number in the 9,000 + range, and the season may close at any time if the DFG feels they need conserving. Best time to "floss" for Sockeye mid-June - Mid July...and late June is generally the peak. There are two runs of Sockeye. The first arrive about mid-July when the first run ends. The first run has typically 30,000 +/- fish, and the second run has about 60,000 fish. Rainbow Trout fishing on the Russian River is excellent. The fish range from a foot to 30" in length. Early in the season before they spawn is one of the best times to fish for Rainbows on the Russian. Generally, that is around the first few weeks of June, but check with the DFG as the fishing season for the Russian River can change. Another good time to target trophy Rainbow Trout on the Russian River is after the end of the Silver Salmon Season in September. Without the flood of salmon fishers, the Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden become formidable targets. Learn about fly selection for Rainbow Trout in Alaska here.From time to time, you find Pink Salmon in the Russian River. They appear every other year and only during the even-numbered years.
The Russian River attracts thousands of people each year. The local area can offer year-round outdoor activities and some of the best summer and early fall fishing. The range of amenities makes it easy for everyone to find just the perfect combination of lodging, dining, and fun.
I was looking at the sockeye fish counts for late run Russian River. Are the new fish showing up silver (chrome) like the early run Sockeye? I fished this June and had lots of fresh silver Sockeye Salmon but was looking for a trip next year but in early August.
I would recommend fishing the second run, from Skilak Lake down to Soldotna. While there will be chrome fish in the Upper from the second run, they take a bit longer to get up there and there will be a lot of fish that are starting to color. The 2nd run typically starts running good around the 15th of July, in the lower & middle river. To fish what we call the middle river (Skilak Lake to Soldotna) will require a guide to access the majority of that section, you can access it on foot at Bing's Landing, Morgan's and Swift Water.
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