The waters around Whittier, Alaska, offer opportunities to test your muscles while fishing for salmon, halibut and other deep-water species during the summer and early fall. Combine fishing trips with sightseeing tours to view glaciers and marine wildlife including whales, sea otters and porpoises. Or you can kayak the waters to explore the coves and inlets of Prince William Sound as you look for marine and shore wildlife.
Getting There
The small community of Whittier lies 50 miles southeast of Anchorage and can be accessed via car on the two-lane Seward Highway. Alaska Railroad offers daily service from Anchorage to the small coastal town. The Alaska State Ferry offers car and passenger service to Whittier from Valdez or Seward. Some visitors arrive on the cruise ships that dock at Whittier during the summer.
Planning Your Trip
Most charter fishing boats provide all the fishing gear, tackle and bait you need to catch the big one. They also provide rain gear and appropriate boots and clothing to keep you dry. Bring plenty of bug spray to keep the mosquitoes to a minimum. Include a camera in your luggage so you can take photos of the glaciers, ice-capped mountains and wildlife.
Fishing Licenses and Tags
To fish in Alaskan waters, you need to buy an Alaska state fishing license, available online or at sporting goods shops in Whittier. Fees range from $24 annually for residents to $20 per day for non-residents. If you plan to fish for king salmon, you need to buy a king tag. King tags range in price from $10 annually for residents to $10 per day for non-residents.
Charter Boat Fishing Expeditions
Charter boats and guides can take you to a variety of fishing spots, depending on the species you want to catch. The deeper waters of Prince William Sound offer opportunities to catch delicious halibut. You might also catch a ling cod or rockfish while casting your line for halibut. Salmon fishing is also possible in the area, including fishing for trophy-sized kings and the smaller but tasty silvers that appear in late June through September. Many of the charter boats offer sightseeing side trips to view whales or shore wildlife including black and grizzly bears, Sitka deer and mountain goats.
Kayaking the Sound
One of Whittier's charter boat companies sets you up with a kayak from which you can fish while also watching for whales and other wildlife. The company uses a motor boat to haul your kayak to fishing hot spots. You can also add bird-watching tours to view nesting black-legged kittiwakes. Or spend the day kayaking around some of the Sound's tidewater glaciers.
Fishing Lodges
Several fishing lodges in the Whittier area offer charter boats, guides and opportunities for sightseeing. All of the fishing lodges provide accommodations, and a few offer meal plans. Some of the lodges provide kitchens or barbecue grills so you can cook and enjoy your fresh catch that day.
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