Freshwater or Saltwater Fishing in Alaska: Which is Better?

Everyone knows that if you want to find a great place to do some fishing, then Alaska is a premier destination. However, there is another question that you have to answer if you are thinking about heading up to Alaska for fishing season: do you want to catch saltwater fish or freshwater fish?

The answer might depend on where you are staying, what you are planning to do, which type of fishing you prefer, and what types of fish you are hoping to catch. Here’s a quick overview of both so you can decide which suits you better.

Saltwater Fishing

Alaska is perhaps most famous for the pristine waters off its western coast, where the calmer waters of the Inside Passage give way to the beautiful Pacific Ocean. It’s a playground for some of the most incredible wildlife in the world, with everything from humpback whales and orca to sea lions and seals.

These species come to the waters off the Alaskan coast in the summer months because there is also an abundance of fish that also come to these waters between May and September. The annual salmon runs of multiple species occur in staggered fashion throughout the summer, starting with:

• King (Chinook) salmon – May
• Keta (dog) salmon – early June
• Pink (humpback) salmon – late June
• Coho (silver) salmon – August

Each salmon run lasts between two and three months, during which time you can find millions of them in the ocean as they make their way back to their natal (birth) stream to reproduce before they die.

However, it’s also important to note that salmon are an anadromous fish, which means they can survive in both fresh water and salt water. So if you’re hoping to catch some salmon, both ocean fishing and stream fishing will yield these abundant fish.

Other fish you can expect to find in the ocean off the coast of Alaska all summer include:

• Rockfish
• Ling cod
• Pacific cod
• Halibut

What You Need for Saltwater Fishing in Alaska’s Inside Passage

To have a fun and successful fishing trip out on the ocean, you first need a high-quality fishing boat that can handle the (sometimes unpredictable) weather and water. You also need fishing poles and tackle gear that is suited for catching some potentially very large fish. King salmon, for example, can reach up to 50 pounds or more when they are full grown.

Finally you will need an experienced guide who can help you find where the fish are biting. Even though there are millions of fish out there, just randomly choosing a spot out on the ocean won't guarantee a good catch. An experienced guide can help you find the right spot.

Freshwater Fishing

Fishing in the lakes and streams is another adventure that you might want to experience when you get to Alaska. It can feel like stepping back in time to when the world was a little less inhabited and the resources a little more pristine. The crisp air and beautiful mountain peaks are an ideal backdrop to cast your rod into one of the pristine bodies of water to see what’s biting.

In the southeast panhandle region (near the Inside Passage) you will find an abundance of salmon, brook trout, cutthroat trout, arctic grayling salmon, and steelhead. Some of these fish – like multiple species of salmon – are anadromous and will be in both the rivers and ocean. Others are only found in the freshwater rivers, streams, and tributaries that wind their way through the wilderness.

What You Need for Freshwater Fishing in Alaska

To have a successful freshwater fishing trip in the Alaskan wild you will need a few things:

• An experienced guide who can help you find the right fishing spots without running into some undesirable visits, like the millions of black and brown bears that come to feed on salmon in the summer.
• The right fishing gear, including rods, tackle, and bait. You can bring your own, but depending on how you plan to get to Alaska that could be hard to do, especially on an airplane with luggage limits.

No Wrong Answer

The really good news when it comes to the question of whether you are going to fish in saltwater or fresh water is that Alaska is a great place to do it. In both cases you’re probably better off going with a guided excursion than trying to go it alone. These excursions provide all the gear you need, and someone to help you find the best places to fish.

An even better option is to do both while you are in Alaska. At Pybus Point Lodge all of your fishing is included in the price. We have the latest fishing gear, quality boats, and kayaks and skiffs (to fish in the bay). We also have guides who will help you find the right spot and keep you safe in the process.

Finally, we’re here to help you get all the necessary permits to be able to legally fish in the state. Neglecting these little details could lead to fines and other inconveniences if you don’t have the right pass from ADF&G.

As an added bonus, anything you catch we can clean and vacuum seal so you can take it home. We’ll freeze and pack up to 50 pounds of fish that fit within checked-baggage guidelines to travel home with you.

So what are you waiting for? Book your all-inclusive Alaska trip to Pybus Point Lodge today to experience freshwater and saltwater fishing in some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the world.