Salmon fishing in Alaska is a dream for many travelers. Hoping to catch a monster halibut or the biggest salmon on record is a huge draw for the thousands of travelers who will visit the 49th state in America. There are five popular Pacific salmon species that draw anglers to their dream fishing trips, including:
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Pink salmon
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Chinook or king salmon is the biggest salmon species
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Chum salmon
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Sockeye salmon
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Coho salmon
Visitors can also go halibut fishing in hopes of catching a giant “barn door” size fish. Fishing charter boats are available with local guides who know the area and can take their guests out to the best spots. Summer draws the largest numbers of travelers for fishing trips, with late July being the peak of the season.
For travelers who are planning salmon fishing trips to the rugged state of Alaska, there are several great locations near Hoonah, Alaska. Let’s take a look at the five top spots for salmon fishing in the area around Chichagof Island plus a top suggestion for Hoonah.
Hoonah Alaska Salmon Fishing
Fishing at Icy Strait is some of the best fishing in Southeast Alaska, and Hoonah is the place to be for halibut and king salmon fishing. Icy Strait carries the torch as the location where the biggest halibut on record was caught.
For the best fishing in Icy Strait, you’ll want to hook up with the experts at Hoonah Travel Adventures with their friendly, knowledgeable fishing guides. Their fishing expert is Captain Billy, a locally raised Tlingit of Hoonah, Alaska.
Captain Billy started fishing the waters of Southeast Alaska and Icy Strait as a young boy with his grandfather, father, and uncles. His knowledge of area waters is matchless, and he is passionate about fishing and sharing this pristine wilderness with his guests.
Call Hoonah Travel Adventures today to book your best fishing trip in Alaska!
Salmon Fishing In Alaska At Angoon
On Admiralty Island, just east of Chichagof Island, is the tiny town of Angoon. With a year-round population of under 500 locals, the population grows every summer with outdoor enthusiasts interested in rugged fishing in Alaska.
Angoon is only accessible by ferry or float plane. The Alaska Marine Highways ferry makes the five-hour trip from Juneau only twice weekly. Once you disembark from the ferry, there is still a three-mile hike to reach the small town.
Anglers can hit the water by hiring a chartered fishing boat with local guides to go salmon fishing in search of sockeye salmon, king salmon, and record-breaking monster-sized halibut. Angoon is also home to many freshwater rivers where you can fish for Dolly Varden, silver salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, rainbow trout, and steelhead. Be on the lookout for bears, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, and Sitka deer.
Tenakee Salmon Fishing
The small town of Tenakee Springs is also available on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. The ferry departs Juneau twice weekly to stop at Tenakee, on the southern tip of Chichagof Island. Year-round, the population of Tenakee rarely reaches over 150 local residents, with several hundred visitors coming for fishing in Alaska in the summer.
Summertime sees plenty of travelers who come to fish, hike, and kayak in the pristine wilderness of Tongass National Forest. Tourist numbers will reach a peak from late July through August. Most visitors will also stop for a soak in the mineral-rich hot springs. At the center of town is a bathhouse where the water continually flows into a tub that is open to the public. Hours are posted on the door for times when the tub is available for men and women.
Ocean fishing is available with one of the many charters for catching salmon and halibut. Out on the ocean, it’s possible to see the humpback whales, who spend their summers in Alaska. Freshwater river fishing is also available for pink salmon, silver salmon, and chum. Bear encounters are common, and you’ll want to be prepared.
Juneau Salmon Fishing
Alaska salmon fishing in Juneau is an excellent choice when you are short on time. Both Alaska and Delta airlines offer scheduled service into Juneau International airport, and rental cars can be picked up right there at the terminal.
Reserve a fishing charter that is familiar with the area and provides all the equipment you will need, including fishing licenses. Some of the best Alaska fishing for halibut and king salmon is available in Juneau, but you’ll want to go out with an experienced local guide who can take you right to the secret places where only the locals go.
Fishing from shore is also good, although the river banks can be crowded in summer. Check out areas like Fritz Cove, Auke Bay, and Point Louisa. While you are in Juneau, don’t miss the opportunity to take a wilderness hike to Mendenhall Glacier.
Gustavus Salmon Fishing
The town of Gustavus is just north of Hoonah, at the southern entrance to Glacier Bay National Park. Gustavus is an excellent area for halibut, lingcod, silver, and king salmon fishing. Most anglers will hit the water during the high season months of May through September.
Travel to Gustavus is by floatplane or ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system travels from Juneau to Gustavus twice weekly, with a brief stop in Hoonah. It’s a scenic five-hour trip on the ferry. Alaska Airlines offers seasonal commercial flights that begin in mid-June.
In addition to salmon fishing, humpback whales are commonly spotted from May through September. Kayaking is another popular activity. Snowcapped mountains surround kayakers as they glide through the water in search of whales, sea lions, eagles, and bears along the coastline.
Elfin Cove Salmon Fishing
If you are looking for the perfect place in Alaska where you can get away from it all in a remote area with great salmon fishing, then Elfin Cove just might be your dream destination. This tiny town boasts a post office, a general store, and a couple of lodges. There are only 25 year-round residents, and even in the busy summer season, the population rarely gets above 200.
There are only two ways to get into Elfin Cove, by floatplane or boat. There are no roads and no motorized vehicles. What they do offer is an amazing getaway. Charter boats with local fishing trips take guests out on the water in search of halibut, king salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and more.
While most visitors will head out onto Alaska’s waters for deep-sea fishing, in Elfin Cove, you’ll also find rivers and streams for freshwater fishing. While standing along the beautiful river banks, you can try your luck with a lure or fly fishing for trout, Dolly Varden trout, pink, coho, or silver salmon.
Call Hoonah Travel Adventures today to book your best fishing trip in Alaska!
