Two runs of wild Kenai River king salmon combine to support the largest recreational fishery for this species in Alaska. The first run of Alaskan king salmon enters the river from mid-May through June. The late run starts the first of July and ends when the season closes on July 31st. The early Kenai River run starting in May averages about 10,000 fish and the late run that begins on July 1 averages about 30,000 fish.