Anglers all over the world dream about fishing in Alaska. For many in the sportfishing community, Alaska is almost mystical because it's one of the few fishing destinations left on the planet that qualify as pristine and unspoiled. Whether you are into ice fishing, freshwater, or saltwater fishing Alaska is one of the best fishing destinations in the world!

Even the most experienced anglers seldomly understand the full scope of sportfishing opportunities in Alaska. The Kenai River is famous for its runs of world-record-sized king salmon, but there are hidden gems all over the State that offer anglers something truly unique. 

If you've always dreamed of fishing in Alaska, this blog will help you better understand your options. 

Some Important Alaska Fishing Statistics

Alaska is synonymous with fishing, and with good reason. There are 3,197 named lakes and over 3 million unnamed lakes in the State, along with 47,000 miles of coastline, which is more than the rest of the United States combined. 

The bountiful waters of Alaska sustained its Native population for thousands of years. Today, Alaska is one of the world's leading seafood producers, with a commercial harvest that is only exceeded by eight countries. Sixty percent of the seafood consumed in the United States comes from the Great State of Alaska.

A Brief Overview of Alaska Sport Fishing Species 

If you're planning an Alaskan fishing trip, you may already know what you want to catch. Many fish runs happen at certain times of the year and may also be location-specific. Targeting multiple fish species while visiting a single destination is often possible. 

What follows are the most sought-after fish species in the State of Alaska.

Salmon

Alaska has five salmon species: king salmon, silver salmon, sockeye salmon (red salmon), chum salmon, and pink salmon. The most sought-after sportfishing species are kings and silvers. 

The best time to catch king is earlier in the season, especially when fishing in saltwater, while coho salmon (silver) tends to run later and well into the fall in some locations. 

Salmon can be targeted from the ocean or after entering coastal streams and rivers. The experiences are very different because ocean fishing is always done from a boat, while river fishing may take place in a boat or from shore.

Halibut

Alaskan halibut is legendary for its sheer size. Every year, anglers catch halibut that exceed 500 pounds in both Southeast Alaska, Kodiak, and Interior regions. Halibut are arguably the most prized food fish in the world. You can catch halibut on saltwater charters, and there are even Alaskan locals who catch them from shore with surf fishing gear.

Trout and Char

These fish species include fresh and saltwater fish, including steelhead, rainbow trout, lake trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, arctic char, and Dolly Varden. Steelhead and rainbow trout fishing in Alaska is legendary. There are more than 50 steelhead streams in Southeast Alaska alone. Even better, every steelhead caught in Alaska is wild fish. 

Miscellaneous saltwater fish

Other popular saltwater sports fish in Alaska include lingcod, sablefish (black cod), and more than 36 species, including yelloweye rockfish and black bass. Sharks, flounder, and cod are also commonly targeted. 

Miscellaneous freshwater fish

In this category, there is a wide variety of fish, including northern pike, arctic grayling, burbot, kokanee, and whitefish. 

Choosing an Alaskan Fishing Destination 

The hard part is choosing a destination for your Alaska fishing trip. Alaska is big. Really big. If you're traveling to Alaska on a cruise, your options may be limited to your ports of call, but you can pick and choose if you're traveling independently. What follows is a regional breakdown of the best places to fish in Alaska.

Southeast Alaska

Short flights from Seattle or Vancouver make Southeast Alaska one of the most popular fishing destinations in the State of Alaska. You can hire a local guide, go on an Alaska fishing charter or go it alone. Many cruise passengers traveling through Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan take advantage of half-day or full-day sportfishing charters targeting salmon and halibut. There are also endless opportunities to target salmon, steelhead, and trout with conventional or fly gear. 

Kenai Peninsula

Some of the most famous fishing destinations on the planet are on the Kenai Peninsula, including Homer, the Kasilof River, and the famous Kenai River. Homer is considered the halibut fishing capital of the world, and the Kenai River boasts the world's largest king salmon ever caught (97 pounds). 

Central Alaska

Famous rivers, including the Nushagak and Copper Rivers, hold incredible quantities of massive salmon and other fish species. This region also has countless lakes, ideally suited for a remote fly-in adventure or fishing camp adventure.

Western Alaska and the Aleutians

Remote and difficult to get to, these destinations are for anglers who desire something spectacular and out-of-the-ordinary. Exotic fish, including the shellfish, often called the "tarpon of the north" can be caught in this region. 

Kodiak

Famous for its bears, Kodiak is also renowned for its incredible fishery.  

Choosing Your Personalized Adventure

Every angler has their preference when it comes to how they fish. A serious fly fisherman usually prefers plenty of time to work a remote river and may have little desire to spend an entire day ocean fishing for halibut. Many other serious anglers have no desire to pick up a fly rod. 

Once you know what you want to catch and where you would like to travel, it's time to customize your Alaska fishing adventure. Consider these basic options. 

The Day Charter

If your time is limited, it's hard to beat a half-day or full-day charter. These trips appeal to cruise passengers who may have a single day at any destination. If you're planning a day charter, decide what you want to catch and where and when to fish. For example, in Juneau and Sitka, it's usually possible to catch halibut and salmon on a single trip, but this may not be possible in another locale. 

If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat the charter fishing option. It's always a good idea to check out the vessel you will be fishing on and ensure that any special requests will be acknowledged. Most charter captains will allow guests to reserve the entire boat, and single anglers may be added to existing charters. It is also worth applying for a fishing license from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before setting out on your adventure.

For a great charter fishing experience in Southeast Alaska, we recommend our partners Moore Charters, who offer ½ day and full-day charter fishing out of Juneau, where you can fish all 5 species of salmon and halibut. Boats can accommodate up to 6 people, and you usually walk away with a catch that can be shipped home.

When visiting Seward in the Kenai Peninsula, we recommend you book a fishing adventure with our partners from Adventure Sixty North, who will take you on a half-day guided fishing adventure where you will catch Red (Sockeye) or Coho (Silver) salmon.

The Local Guide

Local guides will often take you to more remote fishing destinations, either by car, boat, or bush plane. You can fish a remote stream in search of steelhead or access remote lakes teeming with lake trout and northern pike. Hiring a guide is a great way to have a more solitary Alaskan experience. 

Fishing with a local guide isn't as expensive as you might believe, especially when you have your group or don't have to travel via floatplane. Flying in a bush plane is unforgettable, but the fuel price often makes it cost-prohibitive for anglers on a budget.

FishHound Expeditions should be your go-to guys if you are looking for an unforgettable fishing experience in Central Alaska. They are a guide-owned and operated company that offers fishing trips and heli-fishing to some of Alaska's best rivers.

They offer their clients day trips or multi-day expeditions where you can catch salmon and all kinds of trout. If you want to visit multiple rivers and experience various adventures in one day, heli-fishing is your best bet. 

At Voyij, we offer various fishing tours and charters with local guides throughout the State, and if you don't find exactly the fishing adventure you are looking for, let us know, and we'll make sure we find it for you.

The Fishing Lodge

If you're serious about fishing, it's hard to beat a lodge experience. Most Alaska fishing lodges offer all-inclusive packages that include all of your fishing, meals, and fish packaging (so you can take your catch back home). Some lodges are easily accessible, and others are more remote. Some lodge owners offer packages, including hunting, and others offer customizable trips. This is especially beneficial for families where some want to fish, and others want to do something entirely different.

Fishing lodge adventures aren't cheap, but you may reconsider considering the amount of fish you'll bring home. If you're an avid seafood eater, compare the cost of a lodge fishing trip with buying quality fish at your local supermarket, and you may find your Alaska fishing adventure pays for itself. 

Long-range Fishing Charters

These trips are for hardcore anglers who want an unrivaled authentic Alaskan experience. Many long-range charters leave from Homer and Kodiak and target fish along the Alaska Peninsula and Shuyak Island. It's not uncommon for every angler on the boat to catch halibut weighing over 100 pounds and daily limits of salmon, rockfish, and lingcod. 

The price for long-range trips can be quite affordable if you have your own group. The experience is priceless.

If you are visiting Ketchikan, we recommend you check out our friends from Baranof Fishing Excursions, where you can reel a salmon and then cook your catch for lunch. If you are looking for the ultimate fishing experience, they also offer overnight fishing lodges and excursions around Ketchikan.

Are you ready for your own Alaska fishing experience?

 Hopefully, this information will help you choose your Alaska fishing adventure. Whether it's your first-time fishing in Alaska or you're a seasoned Sourdough, there is little doubt you'll have the time of your life. 

If You Don't Like to Fish… But Love to Eat Fish

Alaska is not only an angler's paradise but also a seafood lover destination. If you want to enjoy the freshest Alaskan salmon, halibut, crab, and other delicacies without leaving your house, we have a great selection ready to ship to you straight from the fresh ice-cold water of Alaska anywhere in the continental US Shop fresh Alaska seafood here.

Let’s get this adventure started!