Alaska is a fisherman's paradise as it is virtually an island surrounded by saltwater, and shot through with 3,000 freshwater rivers and streams. Alaska is home to more than 627 species of fish, including rainbow trout, king salmon, and red snapper, according to the Alaska Division of Tourism. The Gulf of Alaska to the south has a volcanic past that created reefs and underwater crevices perfect for fish such as the lingcod and rockfish, and the northwest offers fishing in a remote wilderness.
Gulf Geography
Fishing charters concentrate in a few main locations -- western Alaska between the Bering and Chukchi seas and the Gulf Coast of Alaska to the south. Boat trips leave from several North Gulf hubs, including Resurrection Bay south of Seward, and Prince William Sound near Cordova. Many of the boats-for-hire lead small or large groups, corporate outings or trips for special events. Northwestern Alaska is less accessible, with Nome being the only sign of civilization around for miles, other than the Bering Land Bridge Natural Preserve.
Gulf Wildlife
Alaska is surrounded by the waters of the Arctic Ocean, the Bearing Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. The most accessible fishing may be in the Gulf, with salmon, shark, barn-door halibut, bucket-mouthed lingcod, or black- and yellow-eyed rockfish being plentiful. Trophy halibut in the Gulf can reach more than 100 pounds, and have topped 250 pounds, according to Alaska Coastal Venture Charters, which is based in Seward, Alaska. A 25- to 50-pound halibut catch is a more realistic likelihood for day-trippers, however. The lingcod are aggressive predators, and will even try to catch a black or yellow-eye rockfish while being reeled into the boat. They are both a challenge to reel and a good-tasting fish, fishermen say. The black- and yellow-eye rockfish are abundant in the Gulf. The meat is firm, white and delicious.
Strategy
Experienced fishermen primarily "mooch" for salmon in the Gulf of Alaska, though charters will also troll to fill the take-home basket. Mooching involves cutting the boat engine, drifting with the tide, locating the bait and the feeding salmon in silence. Mooch fisherman use a lighter rod and gear than is used with trolling or other sport fishing methods. Early season King Salmon are caught more productively through trolling. Silvers, however, are more susceptible to mooching. The best Gulf halibut fishing starts each year in May and lasts through September. Charters anchor and bait fish for halibut, but some of the larger halibut catches are caught on jigs.
Northwestern Alaska
Twin Peaks Adventures based in Nome offers helicopter fly-outs and the opportunity to sight-cast to Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, northern pike, sheefish and five species of Pacific Salmon. One of the best parts of fishing this area is that there are fewer people and the opportunity for more time in the pristine wild, according to the company. Twin Peaks flies fishermen to remote fishing locations in Alaska that are only accessible by helicopter and also offers orientation for first-time fly-fishers.
Northwestern Wildlife
Arctic graylings require clear, clean water to survive, which is one reason they thrive in Alaska. The fish can live as long as 30 years. Graylings migrate annually throughout the western Seward Peninsula, moving from spawning areas in the spring to summer feeding areas. The fish grow large in Alaska as they feed on salmon eggs and fry and benefit from the nutrients salmon add to fresh water. Dolly Varden Char are common in western Alaskan rivers and streams, and range from 16 to 22 inches in length. They are sometimes caught topping 30 inches. The fish put up an epic fight when caught.
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