Most of Alaska's salmon fishing is done in southeast Alaska where both salty coastline ocean and freshwater rivers and streams teem with salmon at various times of the year. Remember to purchase an Alaskan prorated fishing license, the required king salmon stamp and the harvest sheet either online or by mail before arriving.
Types
Alaska's water is home to five types of salmon. Large seasonal runs of Chinook or king salmon can be found in the freshwater of Unuk River, which originates in British Columbia in Canada and empties into Burroughs Bay northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska.
The Kenai River is known worldwide for its king salmon population. The NOAA fisheries Office of Protected Resources claims that this largest of the salmons often exceeds 40 pounds with some individuals reaching more than 120 pounds. This most well-known salmon resides in both the freshwater of Alaska's rivers and in the saltwater of the ocean.
Silver salmon called coho, known as the predator salmon, also live part of its life in freshwater and part in saltwater. These hard fighters sport the silver color when they swim in saltwater and when they first enter freshwater to spawn. When spawning between July and November, their backs become dark and their sides take on a maroon hue with all fins tinted orange.
The sockeye or red salmon, which usually weigh between 6 to 12 pounds, can also be found in southeast Alaska's major rivers such as the Kenai. Alaska Fish Guide recommends casting from the river banks using flies with a spinning rod or a fly rod is the best way to catch these beauties.
Pink salmon, a favorite catch of novices and children, are the most aggressive salmon and best to eat when taken fresh from saltwater.
Chum salmon, although found in southeastern Alaska's rivers, are less important in this area of Alaska. They are known as "dog salmon" by the local residents and are used for dried fish for winter consumption.
Optimal Fishing Times
The best fishing times for salmon in southeastern Alaska hinges on the varying optimal times that each particular fish is available. King salmon is available in July and August with the peak time in early August.
Sockeye run from mid-June through August and peak in July. Coho peak mid-September through mid-October but can be caught mid-August through mid-November.
Subsequently, pink salmon has no peak time but can be caught between mid-July through August. For those few anglers who are interested, chum fishing peaks from mid-July through mid-September and continues on into mid-October.
Weather
Southeast Alaska weather tends toward wet with drier summers and stormy falls. Overcast and drizzle of this area is pleasant compared to the windy and rainy days.
Increasing the Odds
Tim Hiner on the OutdoorSite Library website recommends scheduling two or three days for fishing. This will increase the chances of catching the really big fish. He also suggests hiring a quality guide who lives in the area, fishes the river often and guides full-time.
Slot Limit
Some rivers such as the Kenai have restrictions on the size of a salmon that can be removed from the river. For the month of June, if an angler catches a king salmon between 44 and 55 inches long, he must return it to the water. This is done to guarantee that healthy breeding fish will spawn and replenish the river. With this in mind, you might want to plan your fishing excursion for July, as this is the prime time to catch the big ones to take home.
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