Alaska fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning, and the salmon runs are winding down. But that doesn’t mean the fishing is over. In fact, some of the best trout fishing of the year is happening right now in Alaska.
What’s Hitting
This week on the water, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are gorging themselves on salmon eggs and flesh in the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula and Bristol Bay. Late-run silver (coho) salmon are still in the rivers, and fall steelhead are starting to arrive on Kodiak Island and the Kenai Peninsula.
Where to Find Them
Rainbows and Dolly Varden are in the Kenai River, the Russian River, and the rivers of Bristol Bay. Look for them behind spawning salmon. Silvers are in the Kenai, Kasilof, and rivers around Seward and Kodiak. Steelhead are in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and on Kodiak.
Tides & Conditions
Fall rains can bring the rivers up, which can make fishing challenging. Check river levels before you go. The weather can change quickly in the fall, so be prepared for anything. The full moon on Saturday will produce big tides in Cook Inlet, which affects the lower river sections.
Tackle & Tactics
For rainbows and Dolly Varden, a bead that imitates a salmon egg, fished under a float or drifted along the bottom, is the most effective technique. Flesh flies are also effective. For silvers, cast spinners, spoons, or flies. For steelhead, use beads, jigs, or flies.
Fall silvers in the Kenai and Kasilof are usually bright and aggressive when they are fresh from the saltwater, and they will hit a pink or chartreuse spinner hard. Later in the week, as the fish color up, slow your presentations and switch to eggs or jigs under a float. For trout, the egg drop pattern will continue for several more weeks.
Local Intel This Week
The Kenai River has many public access points, including at Cooper Landing and Soldotna. The Anchor River and Deep Creek also have public access. Many anglers in remote areas like Bristol Bay use fly-in lodges. Fish are concentrating behind spawning salmon. Alaska has many special regulations, including catch-and-release and bait restrictions on trout and steelhead waters, so check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations and emergency orders before you fish.
This Week’s Tip
When fishing the egg drop for rainbows, match the size and color of the salmon eggs in the river. The fish can be very selective, so it pays to have a variety of beads with you.
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