Fishing in Alaska is divided into three categories: sport, commercial and subsistence. Most of your fishing activities will fall into the sport fish category because you are fishing for recreation rather than for profit or survival. Each category is managed by a division of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, or ADF&G, or in certain cases the Bureau of Land Management.
Lakes
Alaska offers 20,171 square miles of inland water where you can find a variety of fishing opportunities. Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. and 75 percent of it is not accessible by road. However, you can charter float planes to most remote lakes where you can fish for lake trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, and burbot in the far north; or charter services in the northwest to fish for Dolly Varden, chinook, coho, chum and pink salmon, Arctic grayling. Roadside lakes are available in interior Alaska and down through southeast and southcentral regions. You can fish for the same species found in northern Alaska, in addition to northern pike, rainbow trout and lake trout. ADF&G has a comprehensive list of lake fishing information on its website.
Dipnet Fisheries
This option is for Alaskan residents only. Dipnets fisheries allows you to use a large net to scoop fish directly from the water instead of using a rod and reel. There are several dipnet fisheries also known as personal use fisheries in Alaska. The most well known is the Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Fishery in Interior Alaska where you can catch sockeye and king salmon. The Cook Inlet Personal Use Fishery also offers several areas where you can dipnet for salmon, flounder, smelt and herring Each location has its own regulations and permit requirements.
Marine Waters
Coastal towns often have docks or small beach areas where you can fish. Locations, such as Valdez, Homer and Seward, are coastal towns accessible by road and offer opportunities for for trout, pink, coho and king salmon. Other shoreline fishing for sockeye, coho salmon, Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout can be found in remote coastal towns, such as Juneau and Skagway. Most remote coastal towns are accessible by commercial flight or through the Alaska Marine Highway. Charters are also available for day trips into deeper marine waters where you can fish for halibut and fresher salmon runs.
Considerations
Consider how much time and money you want to spend on a fishing excursion. Chartering boats and planes can run into the hundreds of dollars. Not all planes and ferries make daily trips and so you may have to stay an extra night before you can leave an area. This may be either a camping trip or a night in a hotel. Even though there are many lakes accessible by road, there are many miles between towns and facilities. You should always fully prepare yourself and anyone traveling with you in case the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Warnings
Every fishing location is managed by specific regulations. Regulations include the time frame in which you can fish, any bag limits and gear type. You are required to purchase a fishing license and may need additional permits to venture onto military property or onto federally managed lands. In addition, ADF&G issues emergency orders that may temporarily change an areas fishing regulation. Emergency orders are posted to the ADF&G website. It is recommended that you check the website before going on your fishing trip.
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