When Is Prime Fishing Season in Alaska?
Alaska is a beautiful place to visit during most times of the year. There is always something to do, but the state has something else aside from being a prime vacation destination: as far as seafood goes, Alaska is one of the biggest producing regions in the world. Nearly 80 percent of the highest-value sockeye, king, Coho and other wild salmon species are caught in Alaska’s waters. Want to try your hand at catching salmon? Come to Alaska and fish for a variety of salmon, including sockeye, king, pink, chum and silver.
If you are planning to book a fishing trip in Alaska for your next vacation, make sure you know when and where is best for fishing. Luckily, most of Alaska’s waters are teeming with a variety of fish, including different types of salmon. Here’s what you need to know about fishing season.
The different types of salmon
If you’re looking to catch salmon, come to Alaska for salmon fishing from May through October, as these months happen to coincide with the state’s most pleasant weather.
Whether you are a seasoned fisherman or a beginner, the key is to plan your fishing trip to Alaska around your favorite types of salmon. Look into arriving between late May and early July to fish the waters for king salmon (also called chinook salmon). From June to late July, you’ll enjoy plentiful sockeye salmon. Then, from mid-July to mid-August is prime time for catching pink, red or chum salmon. Later in the fishing season, from July to October, you can expect to catch silver salmon (also known as Coho salmon).
Fishing in the ocean
Want to fish for king salmon in Sitka’s Pacific Ocean? Then come to Alaska in May or June, or in mid-August to target the stragglers. The late silver salmon run is in July, August and early September, with fish ranging from 30 to 125 pounds.
Fishing the Kenai River
The Kenai River in Alaska plays home to pink, red, silver and king salmon from the months of May through October. Some anglers reel in nearly 100-pounders from this river! However, the average size sockeye salmon fished from the Kenai River is between eight and 12 pounds, which is still great. Fish for sockeye from late May and into August. If you are interested in pink salmon, plan your fishing trip in Alaska for late June through mid-August for a three-week run.
Fishing the Copper River
The Copper River runs for 300 miles, and yes, it’s a great salmon fishing location. Around the start of the second week of May is when the silver, sockeye and king salmon varieties begin to head upriver to spawn and lay their eggs. Fish from this river are high in healthy fat, which is why they are so sought after.
When you are ready to book your next fishing trip in Alaska, contact the helpful team at Phantom Tri-River Charters. Reach out to us with questions or to get on the schedule today—we look forward to assisting you!