Alaska Fishing Guides & Charters Directory

Alaska Halibut Fishing - Alaska Rainbow Trout Fishing - Alaska King Salmon Fishing - Alaska Fishing Lodge - Alaska Silver Salmon Fishing - Alaska Fishing Trips

ALASKA FISHING INFORMATION AND FISHING TRIP PLANNING

Alaska Fishing at it's finest! Thanks for visiting the best page online for Alaska Fishing Information and guides. We have a lot of Alaska Fishing information! You can check out the different sport fishing species Alaska's waters has to offer. (Alaska Fishing Species) You can check out the different fishing areas of Alaska and find the best Alaska Fishing Guide to suit your needs. (Alaska Fishing Areas) You can check out the different Alaska Fishing seasons for different species and select the best time to visit Alaska on your next Alaska Fishing Trip. (Alaska Fishing Seasons) You can check out the links to other sites offering a lot of Alaska Fishing Information around the great state of Alaska and the web. (Alaska Fishing Online). If you are looking to find the last record catch for a certain species we have them listed here! (Alaska Fishing Records) If you want to know HOW TO fish in Alaska we have a list of Alaska Fishing Techniques.(Alaska Fishing Techniques)  We also have a lot of suggestions on what kind of bait or lure you will need to use. (Alaska Fishing Tackle) What ever your needs may be regarding Alaska Fishing we have that information all right here!

 

ALASKA FISHING SEASONS

This list of Alaska Fishing Seasons will list the best times to fish Alaska waters for these Alaska fish species:
Alaska Fishing Species Fishing Season Starts Fishing Season Ends
Halibut May 1 September 30
Chinook Salmon (Kenai River King Salmon) May 1 July 31
Pink Salmon (Humpbacks or Humpies) August 1 August 31
Rainbow Trout June 15 October 31
Saltwater Kings May 1 July 20
Silver Salmon (Silvers) August 15 September 30
Sockeye Salmon (Red Salmon - Reds) June 10 August 15

ALASKA FISHING AREAS

Alaska is divided into five different areas and each area has it's own distinct fishing runs and times.  This list of Alaska fishing areas will provide you with a list of Alaska Fishing Guides in that area to help you catch that trophy Alaska fish you are after on your fishing trip to Alaska!  Find the best guides charters and fishing services in all areas of Alaska.  A list of Alaska Fishing Guides in various Areas of Alaska:
Fishing Guides and Charters Arctic Alaska
Fishing Guides and Charters Interior Alaska
Fishing Guides and Charters South Central Alaska
Fishing Guides and Charters South East Alaska
Fishing Guides and Charters South West Alaska


ALASKA FISHING SPECIES

This is a list of the most popular sport fishing species in Alaska.  These species run at various times throughout the spring summer and fall in Alaska.  A list of Alaska Sport Fish Species:
ALASKA KING SALMON FISHING
CHINOOK SALMON - (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

ALASKA KING SALMON FISHING - CHINOOK SALMON - (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)The King Salmon is Alaska's State Fish.  It is one of the more popular sport fish in Alaska.  The Alaska Fishing Record King Salmon was caught on the Kenai River and weighed in at 97 lbs.  Although this is the state record, local Fish and Game biologists have reported finding King Salmon weighing over 120 lbs in fish wheels on the Kenai Peninsula.
ALASKA RED SALMON FISHING
SOCKEYE SALMON - (Oncorhynchus nerka)

ALASKA RED SALMON FISHING SOCKEYE SALMON - (Oncorhynchus nerka)The "Red" or Sockeye Salmon is another favorite of sport fishermen.  The Sockeye Salmon is the mainstay of the fishing industry in Alaska.  This is a popular sport fish in most areas of Alaska.  The Alaska Fishing Record for the Sockeye is 16 lbs. caught while fishing on the Kenai River.
ALASKA SILVER SALMON FISHING
COHO SALMON - (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

ALASKA SILVER SALMON FISHING COHO SALMON - (Oncorhynchus kisutch )The "Silver" or Coho Salmon is Alaska's acrobat.  This fish is known for it's high acrobatic jumps and fighting ability.  This makes the Silver Salmon one of Alaska's most popular sporting fish.  The Alaska Fishing Record for the Coho Salmon is a whopping 26 lbs. caught in Icy Strait Alaska.
ALASKA RAINBOW TROUT FISHING
RAINBOW TROUT - (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

ALASKA RAINBOW TROUT FISHING RAINBOW TROUT - (Oncorhynchus mykiss)Alaska is famous for it's healthy population of wild Rainbow Trout.  The Rainbow Trout is a popular Alaska sport fish because of it's abundance in Alaska's lakes and streams and it's fighting ability.  South West Alaska fishing areas are known for having a great population of Wild Alaska Rainbow Trout.
ALASKA STEELHEAD FISHING
STEELHEAD TROUT - (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

ALASKA STEELHEAD FISHING STEELHEAD TROUT - (Oncorhynchus mykiss)Virtually the same as a Rainbow Trout only the SteelHead goes out to sea and returns to fresh water to spawn.  The ocean waters have changed it's colors and shape slightly.  The SteelHead is known for it's toughness and ability to snap lines without even trying.  This is a threatened species of fish in most areas of the world
ALASKA DOLLY VARDEN FISHING
DOLLY VARDEN - (Salvelinus malma Walbaum)

ALASKA DOLLY VARDEN FISHING DOLLY VARDEN - (Salvelinus malma Walbaum)One of Alaska's most sought-after sport fish.  The Dolly Varden is a member of the "Salmon" family and is one of the ocean going fish that migrate back to Alaska's streams and lakes.
ALASKA ARCTIC GRAYLING FISHING
ARCTIC GRAYLING - (Thymallus arcticus (Pallus))

ALASKA ARCTIC GRAYLING FISHING ARCTIC GRAYLING - (Thymallus arcticus (Pallus)) A smaller cousin of the trout, The Arctic Grayling has become a symbol of the clear running freshwater streams of the North.  One of the most attractive sport fish found in Alaska, with it's prominent dorsal fin and spectacular coloring.  The Arctic Grayling is considered to be a rare sport fish.
ALASKA NORTHERN PIKE FISHING
NORTHERN PIKE - (Esox lucius linnaeus)

ALASKA NORTHERN PIKE FISHING NORTHERN PIKE - (Esox lucius linnaeus)The Northern Pike yet another popular Alaskan Sport Fish.  Residing in many Alaska lakes sloughs and tributaries.  The Alaskan Northern Pike is a rather tough fighter and some weigh as much as 30 lbs and are 4 ft in length.
ALASKA HALIBUT FISHING
HALIBUT - (Hippoglossus stenolepis)

ALASKA HALIBUT FISHING HALIBUT - (Hippoglossus stenolepis)The most popular ocean going sport fish in Alaska.  The Alaska Halibut has top billing for charter fishing guides and ocean going fisherman.  The Alaska Halibut is one of the biggest sport fish available in Alaska.  The Alaska Record Halibut weighed in at a whopping 459 lbs and was caught off the coast of Unalaska.


ALASKA FISHING ONLINE

A list of Alaska Fishing Web Sites:
Alaska Fishing, Alaska-Fishing Guides and Charters, Lodges and Resorts, Fishing Reports
Alaska Fishing is the angler's dream come true with some of the most incredible fishing in the world. Alaska's oceans, rivers, and lakes are teeming with huge runs of record breaking Salmon, Rainbow Trout, beautiful Arctic Char, barn door Halibut and many other challenging sport fish. Alaska, home to five species of Pacific Salmon, holds the world record for the much sought after King Salmon. All of this awaits you in the most spectacular setting on earth.


Alaska fishing ~ your guide to fishing Alaska, the Great Land.  Fish for Alaska salmon, halibut, trout, steelhead, pike....it's all here in tens of thousands of pages.
Services directory An extensive and up-to-date listing of hundreds of businesses that provide services for anglers and hunters. The directory includes Alaska fishing guides, Alaska air taxis, Alaska fishing lodges, transporters, Alaska fishing charters, and more. Fishing areas What it is like to fish in various areas of AK, including RealAudio (tm) interviews with Alaska sport fisheries biologists.


Alaska Salmon Fishing, Halibut Fishing, and Trout Fishing at Tim Berg's
It's here that anglers set their sights when seeking Trophy-Class fishing for Salmon and Halibut. More King Salmon over 70 lbs. have been landed here than in all other parts of Alaska combined! Experienced, professional guides & World-Class Alaska Fishing that will literally "take your breath away" await you at Tim Berg's


Alaska Department of Fish and Game Home Page
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Fish and Game, Fish & Game, ADFG, State of Alaska, Alaska, Alaskan, AK, department, ADF&G, home page, fishing, hunting, salmon, bear, brown bear, black bear, moose, marine, aquatic, boards, board support, regulations, license, sport fish, commercial fish, subsistence, habitat, game, wildlife, management, research, shellfish, chinook, king, pinks, humpy, coho, silver, chum, dog, sockeye, red, commercial fishing, press releases, fishing in Alaska, emergency orders, sport fishing


Alaska Fishing: Alaska Salmon Fishing & Alaska Fishing Trips
Alaska Fishing with Kenai Peninsula's Top Rated Guide Service. Affordable Alaska Fishing Trips and Lodging packages with Kenai Rivers Alaska Salmon Fishing Guides. Alaska Fishing Guides are common throughout Alaska. Alaska is a prime location for reeling in King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Red Salmon, Pink Salmon and is also great for Alaska Trout Fishing, along with Alaska Halibut Fishing to name just a few. For some, Alaska salmon fishing is a seasonal job; for the dedicated few, it's a passion. Gary Kernan is an Alaska salmon fishing guide with more than 20 years of experience. More about fishing for Alaska's salmon.


Alaska Fishing Lodge on the Kenai River. Alaska Fishing Guides, Alaska Salmon Fishing
Alaska fishing at its finest and stay in one of our premier Kenai River Cabins. We only offer deluxe Alaska lodging and custom Alaska fishing trips. Our top Kenai River fishing guides specialize in Alaska fly out fishing and Kenai River fishing for trophy Alaska salmon and wild Rainbow Trout. Our Alaska fishing is world renown as the largest Alaska King Salmon on earth return to the Kenai River each summer. We offer our guests the Alaska fishing trip of a lifetime and the finest, most well appointed Kenai River Cabins available.


ALASKA FISHING RECORDS

A list of Alaska State Fishing Records:
SPECIESWIEGHTYEARLOCATIONANGLER
Arctic Char / Dolly Varden27 lbs 6 oz2002Wulik RiverMike Curtiss
Brook TroutSpecies Added In 1995 No Entries Available
Burbot24 lbs 12 oz1976Lake LouiseGeorge R. Howard
King Salmon97 lbs 4 oz1985Kenai RiverLester Anderson
Chum Salmon32 lbs1985Camano PointFredrick Thynes
Coho Salmon26 lbs1976Icy StraitAndrew Robbins
Cutthroat Trout8 lbs 6 oz1977Wilson LakeRobert Denison
Grayling4 lbs 13 oz1981Ugashik NarrowsPaul F.Kanitz
Halibut459 lbs1996Unalaska BayJack Tragis
Lake Trout47 lbs1970Clarence LakeDaniel Thorsness
Lingcod81 lbs 6 oz2002Monty IslandCharles Curny
Northern Pike38 lbs 8 oz1991Innoko RiverJack Wagner
Pink Salmon12 lbs 9 oz1974Moose RiverSteven A. Lee
Rainbow / Steelhead Trout42 lbs 3 oz1970Bell IslandDavid White
Rockfish38 lbs 11 oz2001Prince William SoundRosemary Roberts
Sheefish53 lbs1986Pah RiverLawrence E Hudnall
Sockeye Salmon16 lbs1974Kenai RiverChuck Leach
Whitefish9 lbs1989Tozitna RiverAl Mathews

ALASKA FLY FISHING

Fly fishing for trout is a very popular sport, which can be done using any of the various methods and any of the general types of flies. Many of the techniques and presentations of fly fishing were first developed in fishing for trout. There is a misconception that all fly fishing for trout is done on the surface of the water with "dry flies." In most places, especially heavily fished trout areas, success usually comes from fly fishing using flies that were designed to drift on the bottom of the water. A trout feeds at the bottom of a river nearly 90 percent of the time. Trout usually only come to the surface when there is a large bug hatch (when aquatic insects grow wings and leave the water to mate and lay eggs). There are exceptions to this rule, however, particularly during the summer months and on smaller mountain streams Trout anglers should always be prepared with the right flies to match any circumstance.

ALASKA SALTWATER SPORT FISHING

Saltwater fishing may be done from shore, such as wading for bonefish or striped bass, or offshore for larger species from boats of varying size. Typically, most trout fly fisherman need to practice new skills to catch saltwater fish on a fly rod. Ocean fish are usually harder to catch. They can be extremely spooky, and much larger. Trout fisherman need to practice with at least an 8 weight fly rod and accurately cast the line 30-90 feet if they are going to have success -- particularly in the flat areas fishing for bonefish, redfish, permit, tarpon, jacks and more.

ALASKA FISHING TECHNIQUES

Fishing rods give more control of the fishing line. The rod is usually fitted with a fishing reel which functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. Floats may also be used, and can function as bite indicators. The hook can be dressed with lures or bait.

* Alaska Bank fishing - fishing from river banks and similar shorelines. Bank fishing is usually performed with a rod and reel, although nets, traps, and spears can also be used. People who fish from a boat can sometimes access more areas in prime locations with greater ease than bank fishermen. However many people don’t own boats and find fishing from the bank has its own advantages. Bank fishing has its own requirements, and many things come into play for success, such as local knowledge, water depth, bank structure, location, time of day, and the type of bait and lures.

* Alaska Casting - the act of throwing the fishing line out over the water using a flexible fishing rod. The usual technique is for the angler to quickly flick the rod from behind toward the water.[14] Casting is also a sport adjunct to fishing, much as shooting is to hunting. The sport is supervised by the International Casting Sport Federation, which sponsors tournaments and recognizes world records for accuracy and distance.

* Alaska Float tubes - small doughnut-shaped boats with an underwater seat in the "hole". Float tubes are used for fly fishing and enable the angler to reach deeper water without splashing and disturbing stillwater fish.

* Alaska Fly fishing - the use of artificial flies as lures. These are cast with specially constructed fly rods and fly lines. The fly line (today, almost always coated with plastic) is heavy enough cast in order to send the fly to the target. Artificial flies vary dramatically in size, weight and colour. Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, panfish, and carp, as well as marine species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. There is a growing population of anglers whose aim is to catch as many different species as possible with the fly.

* Alaska Rock fishing - fishing from rocky outcrops into the sea. It is a popular pastime in Australia and New Zealand. It can be a dangerous pastime and claims many lives each year.

* Alaska Surfcasting - fishing from a shoreline using a rod to cast into the surf. With few exceptions, surf fishing is done in saltwater, often from a beach. The basic idea of most surfcasting is to cast a bait or lure as far out into the water as is necessary to reach the target fish from the shore. This may or may not require long casting distances and muscular techniques. Basic surf fishing can be done with a surfcasting rod between seven and twelve feet long, with an extended butt section, equipped with an appropriate spinning or conventional casting reel. Dedicated surfcasters usually possess an array of terminal and other tackle, with rods and reels of different lengths and actions, and lures and baits of different weights and capabilities. Depending on fishing conditions and the fish they are targeting, such surfcasters tailor bait and terminal tackle to rod and reel and the size and species of the fish. Reels and other equipment need to be constructed so they resist the corrosive and abrasive effects of salt and sand.

Alaska Line fishing
Line fishing is fishing with a fishing line. A fishing line is any cord made for fishing. Important parameters of a fishing line are its length, material, and weight (thicker, sturdier lines are more visible to fish). Factors that may determine what line an angler chooses for a given fishing environment include breaking strength, knot strength, UV resistance, castability, limpness, stretch, abrasion resistance, and visibility.

Modern fishing lines are usually made from artificial substances. The most common type is monofilament, made of a single strand. There are also braided fishing lines and thermally fused superlines.

* Alaska Droplining - a dropline consists of a long fishing line set vertically down into the water, with a series of baited hooks Droplines have a weight at the bottom and a float at the top. They are not usually as long as longlines and have fewer hooks.

* Alaska Handlining - is fishing with a single fishing line, baited with lures or bait fish, which is held in the hands. Handlining can be done from boats or from the shore. It is used mainly to catch groundfish and squid, but smaller pelagic fish can also be caught.

* Alaska Longlining - is a commercial technique that uses a long heavy fishing line with a series of hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks hanging from the main line by means of branch lines called "snoods". Longlines are usually operated from specialised boats called longliners. They use a special winch to haul in the line, and can operate in deeper waters targeting pelagic species such as swordfish, tuna, halibut and sablefish.

* Alaska Slabbing - involves repetitively lifting and dropping a flat lure, usually made of 1 to 2.5 oz of lead painted to look like a baitfish, through a school of actively feeding fish that the angler has located on a fish finder.

* Alaska Trolling - is fishing with one or more baited lines which are drawn through the water. This may be done by pulling the line behind a slow moving boat, or by slowly winding the line in when fishing from the land.

* Alaska Trotlining - a trotline is like a dropline, except that a dropline has a series of hooks suspended vertically in the water, while a trotline has a series of hooks suspended horizontally in the water. Trotlines can be physically set in many ways, such as tying each end to something fixed, and adjusting the set of the rest of the line with weights and floats.

* Alaska Bottom fishing - is fishing the bottom of a body of water. In the United Kingdom it is called "legering". A common rig for fishing on the bottom is a weight tied to the end of the line, with a hook about an inch up line from the weight. The method can be used both with hand lines and rods. There are fishing rods specialized for bottom fishing, called "donkas". The weight is used to cast or throw the line an appropriate distance. Bottom fishing can be done both from boats and from the land. It targets groundfish such as sucker fish, bream, catfish, and crappie.

* Alaska Ice fishing - is the practice of catching fish with lines and hooks through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. It is practised by hunter-gatherers such as the Inuit and by anglers in other cold or continental climates.

* Alaska Kayak fishing - has a long history, and has gained popularity in recent times. Many of the techniques used are the same as those used on other fishing boats, apart from difference is in the set-up, how each piece of equipment is fitted to the kayak, and how each activity is carried out on such a small craft.




ALASKA FISHING TACKLE

The following is a list of some of the popular fishing lures and flies used throughout Alaska.


King Salmon
Lures
Daredevil or similar spoons in fluorescent colors, 3 to 5 inches in length Spin-N-Glo, larger sizes Tee-spoons or Golf Tee spinners in sizes 3 to 5 Salmon egg imitations Salmon eggs prohibited in Northern Cook Inlet

Flies
Salmon egg patterns Streamers in bright colors usually size 2 or larger


Sockeye (Red) Salmon
No lure works very well for red salmon. If you wish to use lures, suggested are smaller spoons and spinners. Most reds are caught on flies. The best pattern known is the Tiny Nymph in burgundy or brown, size 6 to 8. Streamer flies are also popular.


Pink, Chum, Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Char

Lures
Mepps Spinner or similar in sizes 3 to 5
Medium size Pixies (1/2 to 3/4 oz.)
Krocodiles (1/2 to 3/4 oz.)
Salmon eggs allowed in specified waters

Flies
Streamers such as Mickey Fins or Muddler Minnows, sizes 2 to 4
Salmon egg patterns such as Babine Special or Skykomish Sunrise sizes 6 to 8


Grayling

Lures
Mepps Spinners or similar in sizes 0 to 2 Small spoons (1/8 to 1/4 oz.) Flies
Black or dark patterns either wet or dry in sizes 8 and smaller


Northern Pike

Northern pike are predators and will strike a wide variety of lures and baits. Larger sized spoons, plugs and flies which imitate smaller fish, swimming rodents or baby ducks will often entice a pike to strike. The use of live fish for bait is illegal in Alaska but many people fish for pike with preserved herring rigged to imitate a live fish. This method is especially effective when fishing through the ice. Wire leader is suggested due to sharp teeth.