Where to Fish in Alaska is like asking ‘where to find Politicians in Washington, D.C.’! Are you kidding me? Where can you NOT fish in Alaska? Alaska boasts some of the finest fisheries in the world! Not only that, but you get to fish for sportfish like Halibut, Salmon, Trout, Ling Cod, and Crabs in one of the most breath-taking sceneries on the planet. Now, the better question would be, ‘When is the Best Time to Fish in Alaska’s Various Regions?’
Where to Fish in Alaska and When to Fish in Alaska?
You must ask both of these questions together as they go hand in hand as the fish migrate along the 34,000 mile tidal shoreline of Alaska and its many rivers and tributaries. Each region of Alaska has unique fishing timelines which we’ll cover below thanks to the Alaska Fish and Game Website. By determining the best time to fish for the desired Alaskan region, you are sure to increase your odds of having a great time fishing. Remember though, there are never any guarantees when it comes to saltwater fishing and poor timing can really disrupt a fishing vacation.
The map and images below are from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Smaller fish on the charts indicate that game fish are available and the larger fish on the charts indicate peak fishing time. I found I wanted to just compare the Saltwater Fishing times and locations; therefore, I’ve broken down the regions below with only the saltwater fishing peaks per region. This should make it easier to compare regions for Saltwater Fishing in Alaska.
(Source: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
When to Fish the Southern Southeast Region of Alaska (Including Kechikan, Prince of Wales Island, Petersburg, and Wrangell)
The location of this region protects much of the Inside Passage waterways from extreme ocean conditions. Ketchikan is a must-see stop for cruise ships. This Southern Region of Alaska is classified as a temperate rain forest, so it does receive an extreme amount of annual rainfall while also experiencing a mild winter. The best fishing in this region occurs between May and September as indicated by the chart below.
(Source of Image: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
When to Fish the Northern Southeast Region of Alaska (Including Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Yakutat)
Like the Southern Region, half of this region is also protected from extreme ocean conditions along the Inside Passage waterways. Juneau is the largest city in this region with approximately 42% of the population in all of Southeast Alaska. The best fishing in this region also occurs between May and September as indicated by the chart below but demonstrates the variance between this region and the Southern Southeast Region depending on the fish species you are looking for.
(Source of Image: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
When to Fish the Prince William Sound/Resurrection Bay Region of Alaska (Including Cordova, Seward, Valdez, and Whittier.)
The largest port in this region is Valdez. Much of the land surrounding this area is part of the Chugach National Forest which is the 2nd largest National Forest in the U.S. Alaska Fish and Games reports on their website the Resurrection Bay area sometimes mimics the Kenai Region instead of the map below for Prince William Sound. So be sure to check with your fishing charter or guide to find out more about their professional opinion.
(Source of Image: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
When to Fish the Kenai Peninsula Region of Alaska (Including Homer, Hope, Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna, and Seward.)
The Kenai Peninsula has some of the most populous towns in Southern Alaska. The weather is more of a coastal climate with exceptional rainfall like much of Southern Coastal Alaska. But it is one of the few locations in Alaska that actually has a agricultural growing season. This region has plenty of game fishing opportunities and numerous guides/charter services to wet your appetite.
(Source of Image: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
When to Fish the Bristol Bay/Kodiak Region of Alaska (Including Dillingham, Dutch Harbor, King Salmon, and Kodiak.)
Bristol Bay has tidal variances of nearly 30 feet with strong, gusty winds. Navigation of larger boats can be somewhat troublesome here, but professional charters and guides know the waters. This region is near to Katmai National Park and Preserve. If Halibut is your desire, then this region is not for you. It does have a very robust Salmon run each year in its rivers and due to its proximity to some of the most gorgeous landmarks/attractions, it is a sure bet for fun and adventure.
(Source of Image: Alaska Sportfishing Regional Run Timing by Alaska Department of Fish and Game)