Monthly Guide: What to Expect in Early, Mid, and Late Summer in Alaska

Alaska is often referred to as the “Last Frontier” because it’s a place of wild beauty and adventure. It’s also a place that has vastly different experiences available depending on the time of year that you visit. Before you decide when you want to go to Alaska, here’s a seasonal guide to help you understand what you can expect at various times during the summer.

For the purposes of this guide, we’re dividing the “summer” season into three parts:

• Early: May through mid-June
• Middle: mid-June through July
• Late: August through September

Early Summer: May to Mid-June

In the early part of summer you can expect to find some of the best discounts and prices on Alaskan fishing vacation. This is primarily because the weather won’t be really warm yet, but it will be generally more dry than later in the year.

Weather

The biggest question most people have about visiting Alaska early in the season is the weather. It will be cooler this time of year, with average lows around 40 degrees and average highs only reaching around 55 degrees (Fahrenheit).

You will be able to get a decent amount of daylight, though, with around 16 to 18 sunlight hours. Sunlight starts to drop off again in early July, so visiting early gives you more daylight to use each day.

The weather can be pretty unpredictable this time of year, with the potential for very cold days and even late-season snow; however, it is also one of the driest parts of the year, so if you don’t want to encounter as much rain, it’s a good time to plan a trip. Dress warm and bring a variety of clothing if you come in early summer.

Fishing

If you’re heading to Alaska for fishing, early season is when you can expect to find:

• King salmon
• Halibut
• Rockfish
• Ling cod
• Pacific cod
• Keta salmon (starting in June)

Because there is plenty of daylight in May and June, you can fish for eight hours of the day and still have lots of time to take other trips or excursions, like wildlife eco tours, photography tours, and hiking.

Other wildlife and adventures

Beyond fishing you can also find time for adventures to see the local area. The first salmon run occurs in May, which draws the first groups of grizzly bears hoping to get an early start to their feeding season. It’s also a time when wildflowers are in full bloom, which is perfect for nature photographers and hikers. Humpback whales and other marine life are just arriving from their migration so you can expect to see them in the waters around the Inside Passage.

Midsummer: Mid-June to July

Starting in mid-June the weather is warming up and most of the summer activities are open. You will likely encounter more tourists this time of year, and prices are usually higher.

Weather

July is the warmest month of the summer season, but it’s still not going to be really warm. You can plan for around 17 hours of daylight with temperatures ranging from 48 degree lows at night to about 65 degree days. However, if you plan to be out on the water fishing, it will be colder so you still need to pack warm clothes.

Fishing

Some of the early season fish are still around through June and even July, and some additional species start to show up. Mid-season fish include:

• King salmon
• Halibut
• Pink salmon
• Keta salmon
• Rockfish
• Ling cod
• Pacific cod

Other things to know

Salmon are spawning in the rivers during this time of year so you can often spot grizzlies and black bears feasting, and the days are the longest around late June. You may even have a few nights with very little actual darkness—even after the sun sets and before it rises you still get “civil twilight” when it’s light enough to see. This is perfect for fishing and other excursions, extending your day, although it might be hard on your sleep schedule.

It’s also the time of year when you are more likely to catch bald eagle, grizzly bear, and orca (killer whale) sightings.

Late Summer: August to September

In the final months of summer, days are getting shorter but the weather remains pretty warm and it’s still a great time for fishing and wildlife watching.

Weather

Temperatures start to drop again around the middle of August, and the days will get shorter. By September the temperatures are similar to May and early June, reaching the mid-50s in the daytime and the low 40s at night. September only has about 14 hours of daylight.

Fishing

In the final months of the season the King salmon are gone, but there are still plenty of fish available:

• Coho salmon
• Halibut
• Pink salmon (through August)
• Keta salmon (through August)
• Rockfish
• Ling cod
• Pacific cod

Other things to know

As the days get shorter in August and September, you will have a chance to catch the incredible natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). It’s only visible at night in the northern sky, so coming early in the year means there’s not enough dark night hours. September is also the start of the migration for many whales and marine life, so you can find them heading south for warmer water in the winter. There are still bears around as well, trying to fatten up before all the fish are gone.

Late August and September are also the time of year when you can see some of the most incredible displays of fall foliage in the world. While it’s a little cooler, this season can be well worth it for your trip.

Come See All the Alaska Has to Offer

Book your all-inclusive trip at Pybus Point Lodge anytime during our summer season to see some of the most incredible displays of nature and enjoy fishing in world-class waters. Check our rates today.