Sportfishing in Alaska, USA

Many other saltwater and freshwater fish in Alaska are also highly prized by sports fishermen. These include:

Saltwater vs. Freshwater

Some Alaska fishing lodges offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing while others are strictly one or the other. If your target fish is Rainbow Trout then a lodge near the ocean that specializes in saltwater and freshwater fishing is not your best choice. Likewise, for those who seek to bring back lots of barndoor Halibut, you need a fishing lodge near the ocean—Kenai Peninsula or Southeast Alaska would be a good choice.

Focus on what your fishing goal is, and then narrow down your choices from there. The good news is that the Search page makes it easy to filter the lodges based on what you’re after.

When to Go fishing in alaska

Generally speaking, May through September is the fishing season in Alaska. The average summer temperature ranges from 55-78 degrees Fahrenheit, although there’s always the possibility of rain or severe storms. The best month to head to Alaska for fishing is usually July, only because so many species of fish have runs that peak during July. A lot depends on what fish you are targeting. Most Lodges Details Pages will show which species are available throughout the season (see the Species Availability Calendar in the What We Catch section on the page).

Peak season for salmon fishing occurs from May through September, with the five major species spread across the season. These months also conveniently coincide with the nicest weather the state has to offer. Experienced fishermen like to time their Alaska fishing trips based on their favourite types of salmon. King Salmon fishing begins in May, and you can continue fishing for Silver Salmon all the way through November.  The entire summer offers at least one type of salmon fishing. Arrive from late May to early July to catch king salmon. Sockeye salmon runs are also prevalent from June to late July. From mid-July to mid-August, look for pink and chum salmon. Catch silver salmon, otherwise called coho salmon, later in the season from July to October.

If you simply want to catch as many fish as possible, you should go fishing in August.  The Silver Salmon run in Western Alaska peaks throughout the month of August and consistently provides numbers of fish that aren’t really believable until you experience it first hand.  Rainbow trout are also at their fattest in August.

alaska Fishing Limits

Fishing regulations differ depending on which region you’re fishing in the state.

Bristol Bay

King Salmon

Silver, Chum, Pink and Sockeye Salmon

Maximum 5 per day, and 5 in possession.

Halibut

Season open February 1 to December 31. Maximum 2 fish per day either under 38″ or over 80 inches. You can catch-and-release until you get the desired fish. There is no annual limit.

Lingcod and Rockfish

No limits.

Arctic Char and Dolly Varden

From June 8 to October 31, maximum 3 per day, 3 in possession. From November 1 to June 7, 10 per day, 10 in possession.

Rainbow Trout

From June 8 to October 31, 2 per day, 2 in possession, only 1 of which may be 20 inches or longer. From November 1 to June 7, 5 per day, 5 in possession, only 1 of which may be 20 inches or longer.

Arctic Grayling 

2 per day, 2 in possession.

There are special regulations applicable to the Wood River drainage, Agulowak River, Agulukpak River and Kulik Lake—for more details see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.

Kodiak Island

King Salmon

Silver, Chum, Pink and Sockeye Salmon

Halibut

Season open February 1 to December 31. Maximum 2 fish per day either under 38″ or over 80 inches. You can catch-and-release until you get the desired fish. There is no annual limit.

Lingcod

Season open July 1 – December 31, 2 per day, 4 in possession.

Rockfish

Season is open year-round. 5 per day, 10 in possession; only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be non-pelagic, only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a Yelloweye.

Dolly Varden and Arctic CHAR

Season is open year-round. 10 per day, 10 in possession.

Rainbow Trout and Steelhead

There are no limits on any other species.

Kenai Peninsula

Fishing for all species is open year-round unless otherwise stated.

King Salmon

Silver, Chum, Pink and Sockeye Salmon

Halibut

Season open February 1 to December 31. Maximum 2 fish per day either under 38″ or over 80 inches. You can catch-and-release until you get the desired fish. There is no annual limit.

Lingcod

Season open July 1–December 31. Limit 2 per day, 2 in possession, must be at least 35 inches long with head attached or 28 inches from tip of tail to front of dorsal fin with head removed.

Rockfish

Season is open year-round. 5 per day, 10 in possession; only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be non-pelagic.

Dolly Varden and Arctic Char

Rainbow Trout and Steelhead

Arctic Grayling

5 per day, 5 in possession.

There are no limits on any other species.

Interior

Fishing for all species is open year-round unless otherwise stated.

King Salmon

Silver and Chum Salmon

3 per day, 3 in possession—in combination, no size limit.

Arctic Char and Dolly Varden

10 per day, 10 in possession.

Arctic Grayling

5 per day, 5 in possession, no size limit.

Northern Pike

5 per day, 5 in possession—only 1 of which may be 30 inches or longer.

Whitefish

15 per day, 15 in possession, no size limit.

There are no limits on any other species.

Southeast Alaska

The freshwater fishing season for all species is open year-round (except for king salmon in the fresh waters between Cape Fairweather and the International Boundary at Dixon Entrance). The saltwater fishing season for all species is open year-round, except for halibut, lingcod and rockfish.

King Salmon

Silver Salmon

Chum, Pink and Sockeye Salmon

For both freshwater and saltwater fishing, for fish 16 inches or longer, limited to 6 of each species per day, 12 of each species in possession. For fish less than 16 inches long, 10 per day, 10 in possession.

Halibut

Season open February 1 to December 31. Maximum 2 fish per day either under 38″ or over 80 inches. You can catch-and-release until you get the desired fish. There is no annual limit.

Lingcod

Season open May 16 – November 30, 1 per day, 1 in possession; 30–45 inches or 55 inches and longer, annual limit of 2 fish, one of which is 30–45 inches in length, and one that is 55 inches or greater in length.

Rockfish

For pelagic rockfish, 5 per day, 10 in possession, no size limit. For non-pelagic rockfish, no size limit: 1 per day, 1 in possession; annual limit of 1 yelloweye. No non-pelagic rockfish retention in waters beyond the islands.

Dolly Varden, Brook Trout, Arctic Grayling

No size limit. 10 per day, 10 in possession.

Steelhead

36 inches or longer: 1 per day, 2 in possession. 2 fish annual limit.

Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout

11 inch minimum and 22 inch maximum: 2 per day, 2 in possession.

alaska Fishing Licenses and King Stamps

All non-residents 16 or older must purchase and possess a sportfishing license. In addition, a king salmon stamp is required to fish for king salmon. These laws apply in both fresh and marine waters. Fishing licenses and king salmon stamps may be purchased online, at most sporting goods stores, and at Fish and Game offices.

Non-residents under 16 years of age do not need to purchase a king salmon stamp in order to fish for king salmon.

Alaska Regions