Seward is a small coastal town in Alaska where you can catch really big fish. The gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward has some of the best halibut fishing in the world. Halibut can weigh hundreds of pounds and are fighting fish, giving fishermen an exciting run for their money. They are also delicious eating, which explains why Seward is a summer mecca for fishermen of all ages and nationalities.
History
In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward agreed to pay $7.2 million to purchase Alaska from Russia. The press attacked Seward for his willingness to pay so much money for a cold, barren land, and the deal came to be known as "Seward's Folly." The town of Seward was founded in 1903 as a railroad supply base. Almost immediately it became a fishing center, boasting world-class halibut and silver salmon catches.
Geography
Seward is located on the Kenai Penninsula, on the Gulf of Alaska's Resurrection Bay. The cold waters of the Gulf are halibut habitat. Halibut stay on or near the bottom of the ocean--over mud, sand, or gravel banks--migrating in a clockwise direction in the Gulf of Alaska. When they spawn in autumn, they move to deeper offshore areas, then return closer to shore in early summer. The nutrient-rich waters of Resurrection Bay make the Seward area one of the most productive halibut grounds in Alaska.
Identification
Halibut are flatfish, with both eyes on one side of their big bodies. They are the largest of all the flatfish; females can exceed 400 pounds, and the males stay closer to 100. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a fisherman can expect to get skin-on fillets equal to more than half the weight of the halibut.
Options
Seward is a fishing town, and halibut charters leave daily from the small boat harbor. You can choose between half-day and full-day halibut charters. Most of the charter companies out of Seward provide all necessary gear, but--if you are older than 16--you will need to buy an Alaska fishing license. Even if you catch only one fish, it is unlikely you will be able to eat it all, so the fish packaging and shipping services available in Seward might come in handy.
When to Go
Success rates for halibut fishing in Seward vary from boat to boat, but--according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game--you have a good chance of success between mid-May and mid-September. Try fishing during high slack tide when it is easier to keep your tackle on the bottom. The peak months for Seward halibut fishing are July and August, so if you decide to go then, be sure to make advance reservations.
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