By Vanya Akraboff
Ah, fishing in Alaska. For dedicated anglers, Alaska is the Holy Grail. Even visitors who have never fished often succumb to the draw of one of the best fishing destinations in the world. Fisherman come to sport-fish, troll, deep-sea fish, dip-net, and fly-fish for dolly vardens, northern pike, coho, pinks, halibut, and Arctic grayling - just trying to decipher the lingo of fishing in Alaska gives you an idea of the huge variety of fishing opportunities available. The real question is where can't you fish in Alaska. However, it's not quite as simple as packing up your line and tackle and heading north to a secluded mountain stream. The majority of visitors to Alaska, not to mention the residents, have fishing on the brain as well.
So where to start? Guides recommend first trying to pin down what type of fishing and fish you're after, and work outwards from there. Most fishing vacations take place between April and October, when the weather is most agreeable, but the fish often have different plans. If landing that prize sport-fish is your number one goal, it's worth keeping an eye on seasonal run info. Frequently updated tables, as well as info on REQUIRED permits and licenses, is found here.
One of the reasons Alaska is such a fantastic fishing destination is because so much of the state is unadulterated wilderness. All those untouched and pristine lakes and streams, however, probably don't have any roads leading to them - otherwise they wouldn't be remote and untouched anymore. And that means air taxi, chartered boat, or guided trip, three fishing options that are, let's face it, pretty expensive. An all-inclusive directory of services and outfitters can be found here, and a good place to start navigating the mind-boggling quagmire of Alaska's thousands of fishing guides and lodges can be found here.
Here are the five major fishing areas in Alaska, all with something different to offer the angler-adventurer.
Far North: The far north, mostly above the Arctic Circle, is the place to go for pure wilderness and true roughing-it backcountry trekking and fishing. Fishing is best from June/July to September, and generally requires an airlift in. The lakes of the Brooks Range are a good place to start, and the Kobuk and Noatak rivers in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve are also good for fishing. Fishing on the preserve is limited to certain areas in the fall only, but the park is a fantastic destination for backcountry trekking and utter solitude. The extreme climate and remote location coupled with the park's wildly varied topography make fishing in this area of the world a definite adventure. The park is mainly accessible by bush plane.
Interior: Alaska's interior is a big destination for Arctic grayling, northern pike, and salmon. The variety of fishing locations makes the interior an angler's dream. Although most are only accessible by boat or plane, there are some drive-in areas. Most fisherman head out in May-September, but true fish-fanatics could try ice-fishing in the winter. Rainbow Lake is an excellent destination for rainbow trout, and the Porcupine and Charley Rivers are other good locations in this interior.
Southwest: The southwest is a good destination for rainbow trout and salmon, and has many smaller, more remote lodges and outfitters. The Naknek River system is a good area for those with both smaller budgets and the desire to avoid "combat" fishing. That said, the system empties into Bristol Bay, a hugely popular destination for both commercial fishing and charter tours. Iliamna Lake, the largest lake in Alaska, is home to the largest red salmon run in the world, and offers a wide range of accommodations.
Inside Passage (or Southeast, or Panhandle): Alaska's inside passage is made up of fiords, mountains, streams, and glaciers, and has a huge range of saltwater and freshwater fishing. Salmon and halibut are the two most popular species to fish in this area, although the Sitka Sound has all five Pacific salmon species as well as halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. Many of the Sitka lakes are accessible by the Sitka road system. Homer is a picturesque setting for more urban style fishing, while Peterson Lake, off the Sterling Highway northwest of Juneau, is a good hike-in destination.
South Central: The south central area has some of the best and most famous sport fishing in Alaska, with a wide variety of fishing areas including lakes, rivers, freshwater, and saltwater. Most visitors seek salmon and halibut, possibly hoping to catch another world record king salmon. The Kenai and Russian rivers are very popular spots. The former is good with or without a guide, features four salmon species as well as trophy rainbow trout, and offers a wide range of lodging and guides.
The Russian river, on the Kenai Peninsula, has a forest service campground and the state's largest sockeye fishery, although you might be competing for a campsite in the summer. The Prince William Sound is a good change of pace from the more popular areas, with fantastic scenery (including the Columbia glacier) and many primitive forest service campgrounds. The Talachulitna River, 65 miles northwest of Anchorage and accessible by floatplane, is one of the best streams in the Lower Cook Inlet, a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Finally, if you want to try your hand at true combat fishing or just get some fishing in while seeing the city, Ship Creek runs through the heart of Anchorage.
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