Tips for a Great Experience on Your Winter Alaskan Fishing Trip

Many people put away their fishing gear and tackle for the winter months, but there are plenty of rewards and fun times to be had if you decide to stick it out through the colder months of the year. Even up here in Alaska, where there’s a bit more bite in the air when the winter hits, there’s still plenty of great fishing to be had.

With this in mind, here are some tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your winter Alaskan fishing trip.

Choose a good location

This is one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success and have a good time on your trip. No matter what type of fish species you’re going after, you need to know where to go to have the largest chance of success. There are many useful tools on the internet that can help guide you to the perfect fishing location. The Department of Natural Resources, for example, can offer you some excellent resources about local Alaskan lakes and streams, as well as the kinds of fish you’re most likely to find there at certain times of year.

You should also keep in mind how the conditions of the waters change over the course of the years. You’ll want to avoid lakes or rivers that have predictions for high currents—instead, look for more stable or natural currents.

Pick the right time

Obviously, you are going to be limited as to when you can make your excursion up to Alaska for your fishing trip based on your work and personal lives, but it’s still worth investigating when the best time will be to get the kind of fishing experience you’re hoping for. The weather can be a bit unpredictable in the winter months. Keep in mind that fish are often more active before a front than after one, so if you’re able to track barometric pressure, this is a good indicator as to when you should make your trip up. During the winter the best times of day for fishing are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which differs significantly from during the summer.

Bring all the proper equipment

Fishing during the winter is going to put some more strain on your equipment, and will also require you to pack a lot more items. All your reels should be in excellent working order—clean and lubricate them as needed to ensure they’ll deliver the performance you need so you can land your fish. Line conditioners can help to keep lines in good shape as well during cold and wet conditions. The good news is that you shouldn’t have to worry about the fish getting caught in any vegetation, since the plant life will be dormant for the winter. This means you’ll be able to use smaller diameter lines than you might otherwise.

Make sure you’ve got plenty of gear that will help you stay safe and warm, including insulated waterproof boots, gloves, hand warmers, moisture-wicking long underwear, insulated overalls, thick coats, breathable insulated socks and stocking caps. Many people also choose to set up tents for ice fishing to help shield them from the cold air.

For more information about winter Alaskan fishing trips, contact Phantom Tri-River Charters today.