Alaska's 33,000 miles of saltwater coastline, about double the coastline of Maine, and more than 130,000 miles of freshwater streams offer anglers plenty of options when planning a fishing trip. Trips vary from daily excursions to up to weeklong adventures with meals and lodging included. Visiting anglers don't need to worry about bringing fishing tackle or other gear on their trips; the guide, operator or outfitter will either supply what is needed or provide specific instructions in information packets.
Location
Fishing trips in Alaska go to three major areas within the state. Southeast Alaska, which is comprised of glaciers, fjords and mountain streams, offers salmon, several species of trout and bottom fish in its streams; halibut can be found along the coastline in summer.
Southcentral Alaska, where most Alaskans reside, features the most well-known fishing sites. Its coastal waters teem with halibut, salmon and other ocean fish. Its watersheds hold whitefish, burbot, Dolly Varden, grayling, pike, and trout.
The interior, comprised of Western Alaska and Arctic regions, are dominated by the Kuskokwim and Yukon watersheds. These support large populations of grayling, pike, char, sheefish, burbot and trout. Salmon migrate up the Kuskokwim, Tanana and Yukon rivers.
When
Certain fish are more numerous at certain times of the year in Alaska. Salmon, arctic char, whitefish, steelhead trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are born in freshwater, migrate to saltwater and return to freshwater to spawn. The state of Alaska possesses set seasons for most species, but seasons vary by region and can be closed early or canceled with little notice.
In keeping with these migratory patterns, combination salmon and halibut trips run mid-May to the first week in June, a period in which the salmon congregate at a river's mouth before beginning the long trek up the rivers. Halibut fishing is best from June through September, and salmon fishing in the rivers themselves peaks between early June and early August. Because of weather, charter saltwater fishing trips are available from early June through early October. Inland fishing lodges and guides in the interior, western and Arctic regions can be booked between June 1, when king and sockeye are targeted, through mid September, which is rainbow trout season.
Excursions
Fly fishing expeditions, complete with fly-in accommodations, specialize in salmon, arctic char, rainbow trout, grayling and pike. Many areas are reserved for fly-fishing only, and regulations restrict the equipment that can be used in these areas. Ketchikan charter companies possess fleets of boats that can carry up to six passengers. Charter trips often offer processing and can arrange for the catch to be shipped home. Deep-sea halibut fishing is usually done via daylong charter trips booked in advance. Some excursions offer on-board lodging for multiple-day fishing.
Regulations
Alaska has five sets of fishing regulations; all are available from the state's Department of Fish and Game. Among the guidelines are those prohibiting the molesting or wasting of fish, the use of explosives or toxins to obtain fish, the use of live bait in freshwater, and the snagging or gaffing of a fish anywhere other than its mouth.
Some waterways have restrictions on the hours or days during which fishing can be done. For instance, no guided fishing can be done on Sundays or Mondays on the Kenai River.
The guidelines also restrict the types of hooks and lures freshwater anglers can use (only standard manufactured ones) and the number of lines saltwater sport fishing gear may use (a single line with no more than one spoon, plug, two flies, two hooks, or a spinner or a series of spinners.)
Licensing
According to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, yearly sport fishing licenses are required for all nonresidents 16 years and older who want to fish in Alaskan waters. The only exception is when fishing for sea-run king salmon; that requires a special stamp and a harvest record. These licenses, stamps and harvest records may be purchased online, through local vendors or by mail.
Services
Although most guides prefer the fish be returned to the water, they can arrange to have the catch cleaned, freeze-dried and prepared to be shipped to the angler's home. On clear winter nights, many hotels, if given a "northern lights wake-up call" will call your room when the aurora borealis dances.
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