Why Pybus Point Lodge Offers the Best Fishing in Alaska
LEARN MORE
There are so many things that make Alaska unique among all 50 states, and one of these is its diverse array of wildlife. Specifically, Alaska is one of the only states that is home to all three species of bear that are found in North America: The brown bear, the black bear and the polar bear.
At Pybus Point Lodge, we're proud to offer a wide range of wildlife spotting tours in addition to our high-quality fishing trips, and bears are one of several exciting attractions that are part of these tours. Our trips include a stay on Admiralty Island, with a native Tlingit name that translates to "Fortress of the Bears," and those looking to see these majestic creatures in action will not be disappointed.
For those taking their first trip to Alaska, and also for those who have never seen bears with their own eyes before, how can you identify the different types of bears that might be seen in Alaska -- plus stay safe and alert at all times around them? Here's a basic primer.
The most common bear type found in Alaska, just like in many other parts of North America, is the American black bear. Though the term "black" is used in its name, this species can actually be varying different shades of brown or other colors. Black bears can have a more or less completely black coat, brown fur with patches of white hair, or a combination of these characteristics like a brownish-black fur. Their paws and muzzle are often tan.
On average, adult male American black bears weigh about 300 pounds (136 kg), females weigh around 200 pounds (.9027 metric tons), and their overall length is about 6.5 feet (2 meters). These bears live in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, grasslands and coastal areas. They have an omnivorous diet that mostly consists of plant foods like berries, nuts and acorns, but they will supplement this with meat from dead animals if the opportunity presents itself.
Black bears are shy around humans and almost never attack them unless they feel threatened or provoked. They are strong for their size -- an adult male black bear can easily run as fast as 40 mph (64 kph), while a female can run at close to 30 mph (.4199 kph).
When encountered by a human, black bears will usually try and flee the person rather than attack. However, they may feel threatened if you approach them too closely or if you make any sudden movements that could startle them.
Present in every part of Alaska except for certain distinct islands, brown bears are more commonly known as grizzly bears. They're known to mostly feed off plants and berries, but those that live in coastal areas will also eat salmon and other fish, and may be larger as a result.
Brown bears are larger than black bears, with adult male grizzlies weighing around 500 pounds (226 kg), females weighing around 300 pounds (.6667 metric tons), and their overall length coming in at about 8 feet (2.4 meters). They have a very large range that spans from northern Europe to western Asia, all across North America, and down the west coast of South America.
Grizzlies can be told apart from black bears due to both their size and their distinctive shoulder hump. This comes from their strong muscles that are used to dig and turn over rocks. They also have smaller ears than the black bear.
Mostly found in the northern and western parts of Alaska, and certainly not as common overall as the other types we've gone over here, is the polar bear. This species eats almost exclusively meat, mostly from seals but also from other marine mammals like walruses, whales and fish.
Polar bears are the largest species of bear in Alaska, with adult males weighing around 1,400 pounds (635 kg), females weighing around 800 pounds (363 kg), and their overall length coming in at around 10 feet (3 meters).
Despite their size, polar bears are surprisingly quick runners -- they can run at speeds up to 25 miles per hour (40 kph) on land and 5 mph (8 kph) in water. In fact, due to the thickness of their fur, it is easier for them to swim in water than to run on land. Polar bear cubs can also climb trees, though they mostly prefer to live in dens dug into the ground.
For more on the bear types you may see in Alaska, or to learn about any of our guided wildlife tours, fishing tours, lodge accommodations or any of our other services, speak to the staff at Pybus Point Lodge today.
Download, share, or print out our PDF Packaging list to make sure you bring all the gear you need for your Alaska vacation!
DOWNLOAD NOWDiscover why waterfalls around Pybus Point Lodge are unforgettable, offering stunning views and unique adventures. Plan your trip today!
LEARN MOREDiscover why people like you can’t stop talking about Pybus Point Lodge. More than 30 years ago, the lodge opened as a simple fishing camp, drawing a devoted following in spite of basic accommodations. With new owners and experienced guides and crew, our corner of Alaska has become an unbeatable fishing and eco-tourism resort.
Enjoy unlimited access to our fleet of motorized skiff boats. We’re just minutes away from beautiful freshwater stream fishing, and some of our guests’ biggest halibut catches have been reeled in on a skiff.
Three new 33’ walk-around boats make their debut for our 2019 season. Featured in the Seattle Boat Show and designed stem to stern specifically for ocean conditions in Alaska's Inside Passage, we couldn’t ask for better boats.
Guests love our build-your-own lunches, featuring fresh ingredients and thin-sliced meat we smoke right outside. Meals at the lodge are always made to order – no buffets or cafeteria-style meals at Pybus Point Lodge! Our chef has created menu options that are beautiful and delicious without feeling pretentious or unfamiliar.
If you’re going to come all the way to Alaska, you may as well fish with an experienced guide on hand to keep you on the fish and take care of all the little details. You can enjoy the scenery, your company, and the world-class fishing. You’ll get your guide’s attention as much as eight hours each day – already included in the cost of your trip.
Upgrade your trip to see the Alaskan wilderness from the air. Our experienced pilot will land on a secluded lake and guide you to some of the best salmon and native trout fishing in the state.
While you go out and play, our talented staff will make sure your room stays tidy and clean! We receive even more compliments about our friendly staff than we do about Alaska's stunning beauty!
Pybus Point Lodge is located on the remote and secluded far south edge of Admiralty Island National Monument. Coverage is always tricky in deep valleys and remote natural areas. We found that AT&T has the most reliable cellular service at the lodge while T-mobile, Sprint, and Verizon can be picked up while out on the ocean. We do have a lodge phone you can use if necessary.
If you can't get a signal, we do provide free high-speed WIFI to the lodge and cabins. A popular option is to utilize your phones WIFI calling mode to communicate and take calls while at the cabin, although we prefer to unplug and enjoy all that the island has to offer.
The calm, cool waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage are the perfect habitat for humpback whales. Our guests tell us close encounters with these peaceful giants have changed the way they see the world – and we know just what they mean.
You’ll stay with us on Admiralty Island, called Xootsnoowú by native Tlingit people, which means “Fortress of the Bears.” There are more bears on our island than in all 49 other states combined – and more than 2.5x the number of people here!
A short ride in one of our skiffs will take you to the mouth of a river where, if your timing is right, you can watch salmon make their final run to spawn. When it isn’t overrun by bears dining on the feast, you can walk upstream just a few minutes to a beautiful waterfall in the thick forest.
From tiny phosphorescent algae lighting up our private docks to enormous humpback whales hunting in our deep, calm waters, you won’t find a more beautiful place to experience Alaska. Pybus Bay is a photographer’s paradise – bald eagles and brown bears, orca, otters and sea lions, and more. We can’t wait to help you experience Alaska.
A short ride in one of our skiffs will take you to the mouth of a river where, if your timing is right, you can watch salmon make their final run to spawn. When it isn’t overrun by bears dining on the feast, you can walk upstream just a few minutes to a beautiful waterfall in the thick forest.
Take quick detours or day-long excursions to explore some of our planet's most beautiful, remote waterfalls and glaciers.
Meet us in Juneau and let our experienced staff handle every detail of your all-inclusive Alaskan vacation, starting with a beautiful seaplane flight to our secluded lodge at Pybus Bay.
