fishing in alaska salmon

Planning Your Alaska Fishing Trip | Winning Tips For A Successful Adventure

Whether you are a die-hard fly-fishing purist or just fancy yourself as an avid angler, make sure to pin Alaska as your next fishing destination, as the waters here are one of the best places on earth to cast a line in.

We’ve done the “when, where, and how” legwork for your dream Alaska fishing trip, so read on to find out more!

Before You Go (Research, Research!)

view of fishing spot in alaska

There are multiple types of fishing in different Alaskan locations throughout the year, so deciding on the species you want to catch is a good way to start.

Fishing charters and guided tours get booked very early, so do a research to find the one you are looking for and plan your trip well in advance.

Fishing charters for salmon and halibut can also be boarded for various ports of call on an Alaskan cruise, as well as freshwater fishing on overland cruise trips, for those willing to pay the price. Cruise guests also get to sample the diverse wild wonders of the 49th state, often just minutes away from where the cruise ship leaves port.

Types Of Fish In Alaska

SOCKEYE SALMON

From halibut and rainbow trout to grayling and more, Alaska certainly has some of the best fishing in the world, with the obvious trophy contender for most being the most sought after being wild salmon, one of the tastiest fish on planet Earth!

There are five species of salmon found in Alaska, each of which spawn typically from late Spring To Fall. So, do your research on the best time to pursue whichever fish is your main target.

  • Chum (Dog) Salmon
  • Sockeye Salmon
  • Coho Salmon
  • Chinook Salmon
  • Pink Salmon

Never waste a fish! If you catch a fish that is outside the size limits, or something you simply don’t want to keep, release it gently and quickly.

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sockeye salmon in hand

Alaska is home to a plethora of fish species. Below is a list of the top 5 you may choose to pursue, as well as the best times of year to catch them.

  • Salmon: May to September
  • Halibut: March to October
  • Rainbow Trout: June to September
  • Rockfish: Round the year
  • Dolly Vardenf Trout: July to October

While peak season runs from May to September, you can fish year-round in Alaska, providing you are willing to try new species and locations. In addition, there is ice fishing on the frozen lakes in winter.

You need a fishing license to fish in Alaska, which can be arranged right on board your cruise vessel or online. For more details, visit the website of Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

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05/30/2025 09:43 am GMT

Best Fishing Locations In Alaska

Whether you’re an avid fishermen or just a casual caster, you can find a place to fish almost anywhere in Alaska where there is water.

Freshwater Fishing Locations In Alaska

Below are some of the locations you should consider for freshwater fishing in Alaska:

1. The Kenai River is considered one of the world’s best sportfishing rivers, and is renowned for chinook (king salmon) runs.

  • Species: Chinook (King) salmon, sockeye salmon, silver salmon, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden. 
  • Accessibility: Multiple access points for bank fishing, boat launches, and established campgrounds. 

2. The Nushagak River is an excellent Alaskan fishing location that provides excellent opportunities for both salmon and trout.

  • Species: All five species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, sockeye, chum, coho, and pink), along with rainbow trout, arctic grayling, and Dolly Varden.
  • Accessibility: Primarily accessible by floatplane, and providing a more remote and wilderness fishing experience. 

3. The Kasilof River is a shallow and milky-colored river that offers excellent fishing opportunities, especially for fly fishing enthusiasts.

  • Species: King salmon, especially during the early season.
  • Accessibility: Accessible by road and boat, with numerous access points along the river. 

4. The Situk River is a popular river for salmon fishing and is also a popular spot for fly fishing.

  • Species: Salmon (Chinook, sockeye, coho), rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden.
  • Accessibility: Accessible by road and boat, includng several established campgrounds and other access points. 

5. The Innoko River is located in the interior of Alaska and offers a more remote fishing experience with fewer crowds.

  • Species: Northern pike, arctic grayling, and other species.
  • Accessibility: Primarily accessible by floatplane, requiring a more adventurous trip. 

Saltwater Fishing In Alaska

For the best saltwater fishing, The Inside Passage has endless possibilities, while Ketchikan is considered the salmon capital of the world. Juneau, Wrangeli, Haines, Petersburg, Sitka and Skagway are some other key fishing getaways to coastal fishing in Alaska.

Fishing in Interior Alaska and Arctic Alaska is also a consideration, but these regions are primarily accessed only by air and riverboats.

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Getting started (The Gear You’ll Need)

Here is some of the essential fishing gear you will need for your Alaska trip:

  • Fishing rod, reel and tackle (well, obviously, but don’t forget to bring the appropriate rod/reel and lures for the species of fish you’ll be pursuing! Also, the appropriate type of fishing line).
  • Alaska fishing license
  • Clothing you can layer (this would include synthetic long underwear, long-sleeve shirts, and waterproof outer layers).
  • Rain gear (no one wants to be wet and cold, right?)
  • Wool socks (keep those feet and toes warm!)
  • Cold weather hats (much of your body heat escapes from the head)
  • Gloves
  • Polarized sun glasses
  • Waterproof bag (especially for your video equipment, if you plan to do any filming of your trip)
  • Pocket knife (you never know when you’ll need one!)
  • Insect repellant (yes, even Alaska has bugs, and you’ll want to have repellant, especially in the Summer months)
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05/30/2025 09:41 am GMT

Now, Go Fish!

Alaska boasts not only some of the best fishing opportunities in the United States, but also some of the most majestic wildlife and scenery in the world. Do your research, gear up and go fish! Oh, and be sure to send us some fishing pictures!

man hold fly fishing rod with water in the background

Traveling with fly fishing gear | Get it there safely

When planning a fly fishing trip, our excitement is so strong around the destination and the experience that we might have, that we often overlook the most important details; getting our gear there in one piece.

Nothing puts a damper on a highly anticipated fishing trip like losing
your gear to a situation that could have been prevented.

Whether you are traveling by plane or car, your fly fishing gear should receive first class care.

Knowing how and what to pack for a plane trip, and how to store a fly rod in a vehicle that might not be sporting a roof rack, will make your trip smooth sailing and a lot of fun.

Taking Your Fly Fishing Gear On a Plane

It seems like every airport, airline, and T.S.A. agent’s standards, directions, and verdicts vary greatly. This unfortunate reality can make traveling all the more anxiety ridden.

It also doesn’t help that fly fishing gear can have some questionable components that may raise some red flags such as fishing hooks, pliers, knives, etc.

wing of an airplane

Before you fly, be sure to check with your specific airline to find out what their regulations are pertaining to fly fishing equipment and supplies.

Fortunately, fly rods and their reels are deemed acceptable as checked luggage by most airline carriers, regardless of the carrier’s size.

To be absolutely sure that you will not have an unexpected hassle during your airport and plane experience, it’s always a good fail-safe to
check with your specific airline carrier.

A great way to think of it is that T.S.A cares about what is inside your bag or on your person, whereas the carrier cares about how much your bag weighs and how much space it takes up.

Check out this T.S.A resource that helps you determine what you are permitted to carry and what you are not.

Want to learn to filet crappie? Check this out!

Containers for flying with fly fishing gear

Once you have determined what you can and cannot bring, you’ll need to think about what type of container you will use for transporting your fly rod.

Four-piece rods and rod tubes are always the most ideal given that they are built for this purpose.

That said, the most important thing is that the chosen container is a hard case, extremely durable, and shock absorbent.

orvis fly rod tube

A fly rod tube will allow you to take your own gear on your next fly fishing trip and also save you lots of space.

Hitting a batch of heavy turbulence is an anxious situation all on its own. Don’t give yourself even more stress by worrying about what damage that said turbulence may inflict on your fly rod.

Flying with a 4 piece rod and rod tube will save you a ton of space and headache. Although all things have their pros and cons, it’s better to fish with your own gear than with rental gear used by all sorts of anglers because you had to leave yours at home.

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05/30/2025 05:23 am GMT
Learn the Palomar knot… it’s easy!

Where to put “questionable” fly fishing items

So, what questionable fly fishing gear items might raise T.S.A eyebrows? It’s a good idea to leave all tools (such as snippers, pliers, and hooks) in your
checked luggage.

It will also serve well to remove your fishing line from the reel and transport them in their respective packaging to prevent any security issues.

Other than that, so long as you don’t pack anything you can’t fit in your carry-on or checked baggage with ease, you’ll be
down and off the runway with no problem.

The Uni-knot… learn it now!

Traveling With Your Fly Fishing Gear via Car

There are some really impressive fly rod roof racks on the market that are hands down the best way to travel via car with your fly rod.

Roof racks like Riversmith are exceptionally durable, can accommodate multiple and varying fly weights, and have protective liners that ensure your fly rod has a smooth and highly protected ride.

But, sometimes you might travel in a rental vehicle, with a buddy who doesn’t have a roof rack, or simply in a vehicle that is not your own. This can require fishermen to get creative with how they’ll go about getting their fly rod to its destination in one piece.

truck parked by river and people fly fishing

Roof racks are a great way to protect your fly fishing rods when traveling by vehicle.

Here’s how you should protect your fly rod when traveling by vehicle:

  1. Disassemble your fly rod down to the number of pieces it was manufactured to break down to.
  2. Then, gently tape or strap the rod’s components together in several places.
  3. Once these parts are secure, place them in the vehicle pointed in a direction safe from windows, doors, and other passengers or obstructions.
  4. With the handles or butts of the fly rod down and a sock placed over the tip facing up, the rod should then also be strapped to the vehicle to prevent it from rolling around.

This security works both ways; it will ensure the vehicle doesn’t inflict damage to your fly rod, and that your fly rod won’t inflict damage to your vehicle.

Learn how you can stay warm in a tent on a cold night!

Get Your Gear to Its Destination in One Piece

There is no such thing as caring too much about your fly rod and fishing equipment and doing everything in your power to get all of your gear to your fishing destination safely. So, take the extra minute to call your airline carrier and get information relevant to your rod and gear.

The pinnacle of rod customization HERE!

Invest some money into a fly rod roof rack for your personal vehicle so you can get from fishing spot to fishing spot with gentle ease. But, most importantly, don’t make impulsive and uneducated decisions on the fly so that you find yourself or your gear in a bad situation.

Do all your homework up front and your gear will thank you!

Kyle Rutten of Riversmith
Kyle Rutten of Riversmith.com
pam corwin trout catch

Fishing Therapy | Catching Trout And Releasing The Pain

We are all wounded. Time doesn’t heal all wounds. The wounds remain. In time, the mind covers these wounds with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But, it never disappears; it is never gone. Sometimes, you’ll have good days, and in the midst of silent moments, it hits you: everything. It hurts to talk, to love, to remain above water.

Simply existing is difficult. No one cares; no one wants to hear about the days you spend lying in your bed, hoping to never wake up. You wish you could be anywhere or even in a time other than now.

tetons fishing therapy pic

“I love that which is invariably beautiful. Everything is beautiful where trout lie.”

We all have our ways of coping with these wounds. We have our own acts of survival; our own ways of staying alive, even when life isn’t life anymore. Your soul knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.

Silence. The disappearance of white noise and chatter; the disappearance of people. Bubbling water, flowing from the snow melt, down the river and over stream beds of smoothed pebbles. Nothing but you and the reverie of what lies ahead.

I love that which is invariably beautiful. Everything is beautiful where trout lie. I hate that which is invariably ugly: people, television, iPads, and assorted social stigmas that come with living in a modern society. Doctors prescribing you a new prescription to dull your senses; to numb what you hope to one day feel.

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05/30/2025 04:43 am GMT

In a world where most people spend their lives doing things they hate, my escape is the endless source of solitude. On the water, wading in a stream, or strolling through woods, I find solitude without loneliness. I fish because I love to; because fish do not lie; they cannot be bribed or impressed by power, but respond to humility. They respond to a patience only true fishermen know.

Patience. It is something I know. Mastering the art of fishing takes time. Taking that experience and portraying it on canvas takes even more time. But why? Anyone can paint a fish but where there is no emotion, it is just that: a picture of a fish. Channeling that feeling of excitement, the sweet fragrance of evergreen trees, or the repetitive song of a marsh wren into a visual work of art requires total immersion into the moment.

Land more musky with THESE tips

When I paint a fish, I’m painting the moment; I’m reminding myself that this is my refuge. A refuge where my lesions of life can heal; where my mind can drift like the dry fly on the Gros Ventre River. You watch your line or the reflection dancing and nothing more; somehow, you unconsciously grasp the sweet scent of summer, the memory of mountain bluebirds singing, and the wind gently sweeping the tinge of hair on your face. This is the calm; this is the silence your soul mediates with your mind.

“Trout… what fly fishermen are after. But are they really? Maybe it is the attainable sensation of hope that the next trout will be bigger, prettier, a challenge.”

Pam Corwin Trout Painting

Calm. At ease. I sit down and close my eyes, taking myself back to a western seclusion. It’s like I’m sitting there on an exposed rock, watching the sunset dance on cottonwood leaves. The towering Teton Mountains are behind me. I’m watching time stroll by, sweeping in the last of the snowmelt. Little did I know that this is where trout lie.

Trout… what fly fishermen are after. But are they really? Maybe it is the attainable sensation of hope that the next trout will be bigger, prettier, a challenge.

Me? I borrowed my husband’s rod, practicing the dance between rod, line, and water. Gently coaxing the fly back and forth then sorting the landing among the ripples, rocks, and current. I pick it up as it makes it way down river, ready to try again. Same movements, easing the line like I’m painting in plein aire.

I’m aiming at this swirl in the river, lessening the chance of a bite. I don’t care. I’m not fishing, or at least I didn’t think so.

I was immersed into the meditation of fly fishing; the flouncing elegance of casting and presenting my fly.

I start to bring in my line as it sweeps down river, but something happened. Something is different. My line is weighted. Then it moves upriver, unnaturally against the current.

My hands stay steady but my mind is still processing the thought that I have a trout on the end of the line.

How? Why? I wasn’t ready for a fish.

This uncontrollable feeling of pure excitement swept over me, and I couldn’t help but yell, “Holy Moly! I caught a trout!”

I still wasn’t sure if what I said was true. I reeled and hand-lined the trout in. Oh, indeed, it was a trout. It was a fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat.

I somehow caught a trout that fishermen go years trying to obtain but yet, always eluded.

In my excitement, I felt this peace overcome me. Contradictory, I know. I wasn’t after the trout. My soul knew the existence of what was there; a sense of healing and a chance to release.

fishing therapy trout pic

“Pain is a part of life. Sometimes, it’s a big part. And sometimes, it’s as small as a nymph. But either way, it’s a part of the big puzzle, the deep waters, the great catch.”

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All of this happened so fast, but my consciousness took in every millisecond, hyper-vigilant on my surroundings and emotions. I honestly could not process the disbelief and how an incredible moment was presented on my road to healing.

I’ve learned to control my outward emotions, but inside, I was weeping. I needed this. I looked down at this trout. It’s beautiful colors and spots matching the golden light that backlit my excitement.

Oh, how this trout unknowingly helped me; how the simple act of fishing helped me. I was releasing what pain and confusion my mind had warped into suffering. I gently supported the trout for it’s release.

For the release wasn’t just putting the fish back in the water. It was free; but was I? I had to let go. In doing so, I started to release the hurt. I released the fear. I started to heal. I have refused to entertain the old pain.

Pain is a part of life. Sometimes, it’s a big part. And sometimes, it’s as small as a nymph. But either way, it’s a part of the big puzzle, the deep waters, the great catch.

Why not give kayak fishing a shot? [start HERE!]

Pain does two things: it teaches you; it tells you that you’re alive. Then the reality of it drifts away and leaves you changed. It leaves you wiser. Sometimes, it leaves you stronger. That strength is hidden in the depths of weakness and despair. Either way, pain leaves its mark and everything important that will ever happen to you in life is going to involve it in one degree or another.

So take that rod, find water, and cast. You just might let something go.

Pam Corwin