If you are planning a trip to Alaska, chances are you have heard about some of the best fishing in the world. One of the most popular catches in the state is king salmon; it is quite a trophy to take home and tastes great too. So book a guide, roll up your sleeves and get ready for a battle with one of nature's toughest yet most rewarding catches.
The King of Salmon
There are five species of Pacific salmon that are native to Alaska waters, but kings, also known as Chinook salmon, are the trophies that successful anglers put up on their walls. The average king salmon in Alaska weighs 20 pounds, but you will regularly find them in the 50 pound range in hot spots like the Kenai Peninsula.
The Alaska state record for a king is 97.25 pounds; this beast was caught on the Kenai River. With experience you may be able to catch a king on your own, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports that, according to statistics, the unguided angler will spend 40 hours fishing before even hooking a king. Chances are you will be more successful if you book a professional guide.
Southeast Alaska
Southeast Alaska is the state's mild maritime region where the fishing and the scenery draw tourists from around the world. The area is covered with small streams that are waiting for salmon to return to spawn during the summer months. Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan are the main population centers, but there are a number of other remote locations that offer world-class fishing. You can book a fishing guide virtually anywhere in this region who can show you where and how to fish for kings. Many guides offer vacation packages with local lodging. Take a boat for both saltwater and freshwater trolling, cast along the shore or even take a small plane to remote streams where you can avoid the crowds.
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is arguably one of the best places in the state to fish for kings because of its large rivers that are home to hundreds of thousands of salmon returning to spawn every summer. Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Seward are the main population centers, but you will find campgrounds and lodges almost anywhere as well as many stops along the road geared for fishermen.
Book a guide at popular fishing spots like the Russian River and Kenai River, or book a deep-water charter out of Seward or Homer. These trips are often offered in combination with halibut fishing.
Anchorage/Mat-Su Valley
There are a number of fishing guides that operate in south-central Alaska, which is the most populous area of the state. Anchorage serves as a great base for fishing because you have all the amenities of a major city, but you can still be fishing from remote rivers and streams after a short drive.
If you do not want to stay in the city, there is ample camping nearby as well as lodges that provide you with the guidance you need to make your fishing trip a success. Or, if you want a true wilderness experience, catch a flight with one of Anchorage's fly-in fishing services that will take you to remote streams and lakes.
Southwest Alaska
This remote area of Alaska is only accessible by small plane, but it is usually worth the trip because of the solitude it offers as well as the great fishing. For that reason, it is a favorite spot for Alaska politicians and businessmen seeking an escape from everyday life. There is even a small town in the area called "King Salmon."
You can stay in wilderness lodges that provide you with everything you need, including a professional guide and equipment, to make your king salmon hunt a success. Enjoy the pristine waters and wildlife of Bristol Bay and Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. You can also combine your fishing trip with a hunting trip for local game like bear, wolf and wolverine.
Other Remote Areas
Alaska is a large state, and king salmon runs cover a vast area. Interior regions like Fairbanks and Talkeetna offer warmer summer weather, spectacular mountain scenery and a number of professional outfitters and guides. Valdez and Cordova on Prince William Sound also offer river guides and ocean charters, on which you can enjoy breathtaking views of coastal glaciers and wildlife. Or, try Kodiak Island, where you may have to compete with some of the most famous bears in the world for your catch.
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