News/Blog
Salmon Fishing in Alaska is Incredible
Every year, thousands upon thousands of salmon make their exodus from the ocean back to their freshwater spawning bed, and Alaska is prime real estate when it happens. If you’re looking to catch a wide range of Pacific salmon, it’s hard to beat Alaska fishing. Salmon fishing in Alaska is one of the most popular outdoor recreations in America, and for good reason.
The typical season for salmon fishing in Alaska runs from May to October. This coincides with the nicest weather the state has to offer, when temperatures are warm and the days are long. Earlier than May is still quite cold, and by October winter is usually already beginning to arrive. Fortunately, the window of clement weather the state offers happens to also be the best time for salmon fishing in Alaska.
The timing on a trip for salmon fishing in Alaska will depend on which species of salmon you’re trying to catch. One of the most popular salmon to fish for when salmon fishing in Alaska is the King Salmon, also known as a Chinook. King Salmon are the largest species of Pacific salmon, with weights often exceeding 30 pounds. Due to their size, King Salmon offer the toughest and wildest fights on the line, and also produce the most meat per fish.
If you’re going for King Salmon, the best time of year for salmon fishing in Alaska is from late May to early July. Even within that range, the exact time of year to choose depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to catch lots of King Salmon, making your salmon fishing in Alaska trip in mid-June is best. You’re almost guaranteed to haul in a good number of King Salmon. On the other hand, if you’re a trophy hunter looking for monster King Salmon, plan your Alaska salmon fishing trip for late June to early July. There won’t be quite as many King Salmon active, but that’s the time of year to catch the biggest ones.
While King Salmon are perhaps the most iconic Alaska salmon, there are a number of other species of salmon available when salmon fishing in Alaska. Silver Salmon (also known as Coho), Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon and Chum Salmon are all popular species for fishermen and can be caught at varying times of the year when salmon fishing in Alaska.
For Sockeyes, starting your salmon fishing in Alaska trip in June and until late July is the best time, while July and August are best for both Chum and Pink Salmon. Cohos are the late season targets, as they can be caught from July all the way into October.
If you’re new to salmon fishing in Alaska, you might want to pick a time when multiple species of salmon can be caught. This will give you the option of trying several species to find the one you most enjoy fishing for. Once you’re more experienced, you may find you prefer fishing for a certain species and plan your future salmon fishing in Alaska trips around focusing on it.
