How to Plan an Alaska Fishing Trip

Alaska is home to nearly 34,000 miles of shoreline (more than the rest of the United States combined), over 3 million lakes, and more than 3,000 rivers. Our vast oceans and waterways support the most productive salmon and halibut fisheries in the world. For both locals and visitors to Alaska, this translates to a lifetime of unforgettable fishing opportunities. Whether you’re interested in planning an entire vacation around fishing in Alaska, or you’d like to spend just a day on the water, Alaska offers a vast array of fishing adventures in every region of the state. 

Where to Fish in Alaska

Once you’ve decided to start planning your Alaska fishing trip, the first question is where to go. Home to both the “Salmon Capitol of the World” and the “Halibut Capitol of the World,” along with world-class fishing in all five regions of the state, picking your fishing destination can seem like a daunting task. Whether you’re interested in fly fishing in the Arctic, reeling in some of the largest king salmon in the world on the famed Kenai River, or relaxing in luxury at a fishing lodge, you’ll find exciting fishing opportunities wherever your Alaska adventure takes you.

Here's a quick guide the top fishing destinations in Alaska, broken down by region, or you can check out our detailed list of fishing spots in Alaska.  

A Quick Guide to Fishing Destinations in Alaska:

Inside Passage 

Home to many coastal communities nestled among the region’s islands and inlets, the Inside Passage is famous for saltwater fishing, primarily salmon. You’ll find a wide variety of wilderness fishing lodges and fishing day trips available. Top Fishing Destinations: Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka

Southcentral

From the coastal waters of the Kenai Peninsula to the productive rivers and lakes of the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska’s most populated region is an easily accessible fishing destination thanks to the connected road system and wide variety of fishing charter options and visitor services. Top Fishing Destinations: Homer, Seward, Kenai River

Southwest

Alaska’s Southwest region encompasses the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, and the Aleutian Chain. It’s also home to the most productive sockeye salmon fishery in the world: Bristol Bay. You’ll find wilderness fishing lodges (targeting both saltwater and freshwater species) across this remote region along with day fishing charters primarily in Kodiak and Unalaska. Top Fishing Destinations: Kodiak, Bristol Bay, Katmai National Park

Interior

With the city of Fairbanks at its hub community, Alaska’s only land-locked region provides access to excellent freshwater fishing in its vast network of rivers and lakes. Salmon, grayling, trout, northern pike, and other species can be targeted at wilderness fishing lodges, multi-day float trips, or day fishing trips from communities along the road system. Top Fishing Destinations: Fairbanks Area, Denali Area

Arctic

Adventurous anglers will be attracted to the vast wilderness areas and truly remote fishing opportunities in Alaska’s Artic region. There are a handful of remote fishing lodges, located primarily in the Brooks Range, along with outfitters who lead muti-day backcountry fishing trips in the region. Top Fishing Destinations: Dalton Highway, Noatak River, Kobuk River

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Fishing Lodges & Fishing Charters

If you're visiting primarily to fish and you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip, every region of the state has an array of full-service fishing lodges that include daily fishing trips, comfortable accommodations, and hearty meals. Some lodges are accessible by road, while others are only accessible by boat or float plane for a truly remote fishing experience.

If a day trip is more your style, join a fishing charter or guided freshwater fishing trip. Outfitters typically provide the gear and lunch, and many charter operators will process and ship your catch back home for you. The majority of guided day fishing trips can be found in the Inside Passage, Southcentral, and Interior regions, along with Kodiak in the Southwest region. 

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Top Fish Species & When to Catch Them

Salmon:
     King (chinooks): May – July
     Sockeye (reds): June – August
     Coho (silvers): July – September
     Pink (humpys): July – August
     Chum (dogs): July – August
Halibut: March – October
Rockfish: Year-Round
Rainbow Trout: June – September
Dolly Varden: July - October

Salmon Fishing

Alaska is famous for its excellent salmon fishing. The fishing season begins with the return of the first runs of salmon in the spring. The largest of the five species and the first to return to the streams where they were born is the mighty king salmon, also referred to as chinook (each salmon species has at least two names). Kings begin to show up in mid-April in the Kodiak and Bristol Bay areas, and by mid-May they're available in the Inside Passage and Southcentral. The kings are followed closely by reds (or sockeyes), pinks (humpies), chums (dogs), and silvers (cohos). All five species offer exciting fishing experiences whether they're pursued in freshwater or saltwater. Several charter operators in Homer offer the chance to catch winter kings from October - April in Kachemak Bay. 

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Halibut Fishing

Another favorite to catch is halibut. Saltwater charters in coastal communities in the Southcentral, Inside Passage, and Southwest regions target these “barn doors” that can grow up to 500 pounds and 8 feet long. You likely won’t catch one quite that big, but it’s still a thrill to haul in a 20-50 pounder. The peak time for catching halibut is mid-May through mid-September. Charter operators offer halibut-only trips along with multi-species trips to target both salmon and halibut.

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Flyfishing & Freshwater Fishing

If your preference is river or lake fishing, there are thousands of bodies of water to choose from. The Inside Passage has cutthroat, brook, steelhead, and rainbow trout available year around, while farther north in the Southcentral and Interior regions you can find rainbows, lake trout, Arctic grayling, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, and northern pike. For a truly unique experience, thrill-seeking anglers can head north and fish for sheefish. These large, muscular fish live in a handful of rivers in the Arctic, Interior, and northern Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta areas. Sheefish are hard-fighting and can weigh up to 50 pounds and are known for making acrobatic leaps out of the water - making them a much sought-after fish for fly fishing enthusiasts.

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Ice Fishing

Anglers who need a fishing fix in the middle of winter can try their hand at ice fishing, popular in the Southcentral and Interior regions. Fishing on frozen lakes and streams can be rewarding and productive. Char, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, pike, landlocked salmon, and the tasty burbot provide plenty of opportunities for catching a meal and getting out to experience Alaska's winter recreation opportunities. Guided ice fishing trips in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, the Kenai Peninsula, and Fairbanks take you to ice fishing hot spots and provide all the gear that you’ll need, often including access to a heated hut to keep you comfortable for a day on the ice.

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How to Get an Alaska Fishing License

Fishing licenses are required, so be sure to purchase your fishing license online or visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website for more information. An additional stamp must be purchased for king salmon fishing. The non-resident fishing license fees and king salmon stamps are: 1 day - $15, 3 days - $30, 7 days - $45, 14 days - $75, Annual - $100.

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Are you ready to plan your Alaska fishing adventure? Visit our fishing page for more information on fishing lodges, charters, and the best places to fish in Alaska.