Alaska Fishing Vacations

Alaska fishing vacations are a dream for all fishermen.

Remote fly fishing lodges, wild nature ( have you watched In to the Wild?) and fish everywhere, in rivers, streams, lakes, the Pacific Ocean...

Did you know? The largest known Salmon caught in Alaskan waters weighted 97.5 pounds and took more than two hours to catch.

So, when is the best time to go?
In general, from late May to mid October. Mid-June to Mid-August is the most used period for first time visitors for the long days (20 hours of sunlight) and nice weather.

Related page

• which fishing rod to have for the Kenai river? (with the help of two Kenai river fly fishing guides)

Alaska Fly Fishing Locations

Fly fishing in Alaska is a lifetime experience. You can fish for Rainbow Trout, Steelheads, Dolly Varden and often Sockeye or Silver Salmon.

The salmon runs vary and have an undetermined timing (it's Mother Nature, eh):

— King Salmon run: from May through July with peaks typically in mid to late June and mid to late July.

— Silver Salmon run: best from late August through October

Yeah, not only huge salmons!

Rainbow trouts over 30 inches are not rare in Alaska!

http://www.upon-bamboo-fly-fishing-rods-and-reels.com

Where would you like to go ?

So, Alaska is really a paradise for fishermen. But where to start? Where can I go?

Here some picks:

Alaska fishing vactions - pick 1
Skagway, Alaska
Skagway one of the garden cities of Southeas Alaska. and sits under the mountain peaks surrounding the Upper Lynn Canal. Glaciers peer down at the blue-green ocean water.

Not only a fishing destination for both fishermen and their family who can choose many activities (horse-riding, excursions, train-trips, etc...) but also a photographer's paradise.

Most cruise ships stop here for a day.

In Skagway you can fish four of the five Pacific salmon species: Humpies, Chum, Coho and the Chinook or "King" Salmon.

Alaska Fishing Vacations - pick 2
Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is a very popular tourist destination in Alaska and is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World" for the abundance of fish and salmon canneries.
First-class lodges and resorts, hotels, B&Bs and 80 remote cabins maintained by the US Forest Service are vailable in the area.

This region of Alaska is particularly carachterized for its strong runs of trophy-size fish, including all 5 kind of salmons :king (chinook), silver (coho), red (sockeye), pink (humpy), and chum (dog) salmon. The finest salt water fishing for giant halibut, red snapper, ling cod and rock cod is also available. Numerous wilderness lakes and streams provide incredible fishing for steelhead, Dolly Varden, grayling, rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Alaska Fishing Vacations - pick 3
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
(Includes Cooper Landing, Homer and Seward, see below)

The Kenai Peninsula is a very popular destination for Alaska fishing vacations.

Cooper landing, Seward, Homer offer sceneries and facilities for a life time experience.

Alaska Fishing Vacations - Pick 4
Cooper Landing, Alaska

Joseph Cooper found gold here in 1884. Cooper Landing, Cooper Lake, Cooper Creek are named after him.

Cooper Landing is located about 100 miles South of Anchorage in south central Alaska near center of the Kenai Peninsula at the west end of Kenai Lake. This town was founded during the mid 1800s Gold Rush and is located close to the world famous Kenai river, which is one of the best rivers in the world for salmons and trouts for accomplished and novice anglers alike.
There are a few lodging choices such as bed and breakfasts, motels and inns and the Kenai Princess Lodge.

Alaska Fishing Vacations - pick 5
Homer, Alaska
Homer, the Halibut Fishing Capital of the

World, is a town nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay with breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains and wildlife. Fish for halibut, salmon rockfish, lingcod, dolly varden, steelhead and more. Homer even has non-traditional “fishing”, such as clams, mussels and oysters. Watch the tides!

Alaska fishing Vacations - pick 6
Seward, Alaska

Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a popular saltwater fishing destination in Alaska and one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities. Known as the 'Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park' Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage.

The tow has about 3000 inhabitants and offer what a family can expect for when adventuring in Alaska fishing vacations...

Fishing for king salmon, halibut, and silver salmon in saltwater, kings and silver salmon, trouts, greyling and more in the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.

Alaska Fishing Vacations - pick 7
Kodiak -Alaska

Kodiak Island, the Emerald Island - so called for the green coulour it gets in the short Summer - belongs to the Kodiak Island Archipelago, a large group of islands about 30 miles off the coast of Alaska, 177 miles long and roughly the size of the state of Connecticut.

The island is famous for the huge Kodiak brown bears and the world-class sport fishing with trophy rainbow or steelhead and salmons.

Kodiak Island has a population of 13,900 and it includes The City of Kodiak, seven villages, the U.S. Coast Guard Base, plus several remote camps and lodges.

Whale Pass is the main passage between the east and west sides. For this reason it abound with marine wildlife and is a popular fishing place.

Fishing in remote zone offers superior opportunities for the angler who is willing to pay for remote services. Generally, visitors are transported via float-plane in everything-included package.
 

Best Saltwater fishing times in the Kodiak area (ADF&G data)

Best Freshwater fishing times in the Kodiak area (ADF&G data)

Important Tips for your Alaska Fishing Vacations

• Be aware of Bears! Read, please.

• Watch the tides!
(e.g. Homer)

• What to wear in your Alaska fishing vacations

• Fishing Licenses
A fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. It can be ordered here.

• Kenai River Fishing Rules
RAINBOW TROUT (Catch and Release Only)
DOLLY VARDEN (Catch and Release Only)
SOCKEYE (RED) SALMON (Limits typically from 3-6 per day)
SILVER (COHO) SALMON (Limit 2 per day)
KING (CHINOOK) SALMON - Lower Kenai and Kasilof River Only (Limit 1 per day)
PINK (HUMPBACK) SALMON (Limit 6 per Day)

Update August 2010

Freezer question when fishing for halibut in Alska

Say you are going for halibut and and salmon in August anf the guide says that you'll probably catch 100 pounds (or 50 Kg) of fish. Now, how large a freezer shouldyou need when back at home?

TIPS

Do NOT buy

• frost-free freezers (fish will not last long)
• Upright freezers (limited space and shelving)

BUY

*****

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The text and some pics of this webpage have inpired and taken by the following websites: VisitKeTchikan, Skagway, Alaska Travel, a Kenai Flyfishing Guide, Homer Chamber of Commerce, Seward.org, Travel Alaska, The Outdoors Alaska Directory.

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