Good fishing isn't hard to find in Alaska.
In fact, in this land of 3,000 rivers, over a million lakes and approx.
7000 miles of coastline, a fisherman's greatest challenge can be deciding where to start.
For some perspective on the vast size of Alaska's fishing resource you could fish a million square acres of Alaska streams, lakes and shorelines each day for a year and never fish the same place twice.
Think of it as the old anglers' dilemma- so much water, so many fish, so little time, but on a scale that dwarfs anything in the lower 48 states.
Here is a list of some of the most popular: King/Chinook Salmon Alaskan rivers are world famous for producing giant King salmon.
The world record was taken on the Kenai River in May of 1985 and weighed 97 lbs.
4 oz.
Every season sees millions of Kings weighing between 30 and 50 lbs and more entering Alaska's rivers.
Their strength is legendary, and those that have done battle with these giants have memories that will last a lifetime.
Alaska King Salmon fishing is typically best from mid May through July.
Popular methods for Kings include back bouncing, back trolling, and drifting from boats, although they can also be taken from the river bank in numerous locations.
Trolling for saltwater Kings can be productive year round in various parts of the state.
Red/Sockeye Salmon These silver bullets average 6-12 lbs.
and pound for pound pack as much punch as anything that swims in freshwater..
The Red salmon begin to clog the Kenai and many other rivers by the tens of millions in mid June and the runs end usually in mid August, although in some places they are still arriving in good numbers even into late September.
Since the Reds tend to run close to the bank, most fishing is done from the shore.
Methods include casting Coho flies with a fly rod or spinning rod in a style popularized on the Kenai River.
Although they have been known to hit spinners and even bait on rare occasion, using flies will be your best bet.
Hooking into your first explosive dime bright Red Salmon will be a memory that you will never forget Silver/Coho Salmon Many anglers think Silvers are the most fun of all the salmon.
Silvers are notorious for their acrobatics, and drag burning runs.
Silvers average 6-14 lbs.
, and sometimes going over 20 lbs.
Runs begin in mid/late July and end in October depending on the area.
Fishing for silvers is extremely popular in both fresh and saltwater with many Silver Salmon derbies sponsored by local communities.
The world famous Seward Silver Salmon Derby in mid-August, has a six fish limit, non-stop action, and takes place in majestic Resurrection Bay.
Silver salmon in the rivers of Alaska is also great sport on a fly rod and are the only pacific salmon that will regularly hit top water flies.
Silvers are also quite fond of Vibrax spinners, Pixie spoons and salmon eggs.
Rainbow Trout A trip to Alaska is not complete without adding trophy rainbow trout to your fishing trip wish list.
While some sections of some rivers are fly-fishing only areas, rainbow fishing is allowed in many other areas by other normal fishing means including the use of spinners and/or bait.
Some of the best trophy rainbow fishing is found from the fly out lodges of Southwest Alaska in the Bristol Bay area.
However trophy rainbows can also be caught in the road accessible rivers of the Mat-Su valley and on the Kenai Peninsula.
For trophy rainbows in the 5 to 20 lb range, you will enjoy better success by booking with a lodge or a professional guide.
Pacific Halibut Almost all Alaskan saltwater is home to some of the finest halibut fishing available anywhere in the world.
Consistent limit catches of halibut weighing between 15 and 50 lbs.
are the norm, with halibut between 100 and 300 lbs.
landed daily.
Halibut trips can originate from most towns in Southeast Alaska, Kodiak, and the towns of Ninilchik, Homer, and Seward on the Kenai Peninsula with each location having its own unique advantages in regards to lodging, accommodations, boat size, trip length, travel time, and scenery.
Combination trips for King/Silver salmon and Halibut are very popular saltwater trips.
The best Halibut fishing is from May through September with Salmon-halibut combos having the best success in May/June for Kings and July/August for Silvers.
Bonus catches can include lingcod and rockfish.
Will you make this the year that you check an Alaskan fishing trip off of your bucket list?
In fact, in this land of 3,000 rivers, over a million lakes and approx.
7000 miles of coastline, a fisherman's greatest challenge can be deciding where to start.
For some perspective on the vast size of Alaska's fishing resource you could fish a million square acres of Alaska streams, lakes and shorelines each day for a year and never fish the same place twice.
Think of it as the old anglers' dilemma- so much water, so many fish, so little time, but on a scale that dwarfs anything in the lower 48 states.
Here is a list of some of the most popular: King/Chinook Salmon Alaskan rivers are world famous for producing giant King salmon.
The world record was taken on the Kenai River in May of 1985 and weighed 97 lbs.
4 oz.
Every season sees millions of Kings weighing between 30 and 50 lbs and more entering Alaska's rivers.
Their strength is legendary, and those that have done battle with these giants have memories that will last a lifetime.
Alaska King Salmon fishing is typically best from mid May through July.
Popular methods for Kings include back bouncing, back trolling, and drifting from boats, although they can also be taken from the river bank in numerous locations.
Trolling for saltwater Kings can be productive year round in various parts of the state.
Red/Sockeye Salmon These silver bullets average 6-12 lbs.
and pound for pound pack as much punch as anything that swims in freshwater..
The Red salmon begin to clog the Kenai and many other rivers by the tens of millions in mid June and the runs end usually in mid August, although in some places they are still arriving in good numbers even into late September.
Since the Reds tend to run close to the bank, most fishing is done from the shore.
Methods include casting Coho flies with a fly rod or spinning rod in a style popularized on the Kenai River.
Although they have been known to hit spinners and even bait on rare occasion, using flies will be your best bet.
Hooking into your first explosive dime bright Red Salmon will be a memory that you will never forget Silver/Coho Salmon Many anglers think Silvers are the most fun of all the salmon.
Silvers are notorious for their acrobatics, and drag burning runs.
Silvers average 6-14 lbs.
, and sometimes going over 20 lbs.
Runs begin in mid/late July and end in October depending on the area.
Fishing for silvers is extremely popular in both fresh and saltwater with many Silver Salmon derbies sponsored by local communities.
The world famous Seward Silver Salmon Derby in mid-August, has a six fish limit, non-stop action, and takes place in majestic Resurrection Bay.
Silver salmon in the rivers of Alaska is also great sport on a fly rod and are the only pacific salmon that will regularly hit top water flies.
Silvers are also quite fond of Vibrax spinners, Pixie spoons and salmon eggs.
Rainbow Trout A trip to Alaska is not complete without adding trophy rainbow trout to your fishing trip wish list.
While some sections of some rivers are fly-fishing only areas, rainbow fishing is allowed in many other areas by other normal fishing means including the use of spinners and/or bait.
Some of the best trophy rainbow fishing is found from the fly out lodges of Southwest Alaska in the Bristol Bay area.
However trophy rainbows can also be caught in the road accessible rivers of the Mat-Su valley and on the Kenai Peninsula.
For trophy rainbows in the 5 to 20 lb range, you will enjoy better success by booking with a lodge or a professional guide.
Pacific Halibut Almost all Alaskan saltwater is home to some of the finest halibut fishing available anywhere in the world.
Consistent limit catches of halibut weighing between 15 and 50 lbs.
are the norm, with halibut between 100 and 300 lbs.
landed daily.
Halibut trips can originate from most towns in Southeast Alaska, Kodiak, and the towns of Ninilchik, Homer, and Seward on the Kenai Peninsula with each location having its own unique advantages in regards to lodging, accommodations, boat size, trip length, travel time, and scenery.
Combination trips for King/Silver salmon and Halibut are very popular saltwater trips.
The best Halibut fishing is from May through September with Salmon-halibut combos having the best success in May/June for Kings and July/August for Silvers.
Bonus catches can include lingcod and rockfish.
Will you make this the year that you check an Alaskan fishing trip off of your bucket list?