Anglers holding post spawning salmon.

Alaska has unlimited opportunities for both freshwater and saltwater fishing adventures in some of the most challenging and spectacular country anywhere. If you are interested in Catch and Release fishing visit: http://www.alaskacenters.gov/catch-and-release.cfm. However, Alaska’s enormous size can make planning a difficult task. The following tips will help you plan a fishing trip that suits your tastes and means.

For more information on Fishing reports and other information for fishing visit Alaska Dept of Fish and Game website

Fishing Licenses and Regulations:
A sport fishing license is required for each calendar year and must be on your person. Licenses can be purchased at just about any sporting goods store or from the Department of Fish and Game, Licensing Section, P.O. Box 25525, Juneau, AK 99802-5525, 907.465.2376. Non-resident licenses can be purchased for 1, 3, 7, 14 day intervals or for all year. Stamps for king salmon are sold separately. When you pick up your license, be sure to get a copy of the appropriate fishing regulation for the area you wish to fish and inquire about any emergency orders that may be in effect that supercede the fishing regulations. For more information please visit: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov

There are two types of fishing licenses: Resident and Non-resident. To qualify for the resident license you must have maintained a permanent residence in Alaska for the preceding 12 consecutive months.

Seasons:
There are several seasons for fishing. Please check the regulations very carefully for dates and locations that may change throughout the year.

Dip-netting:
Only Alaskan residents may dip-net in personal use dip-net areas.

Where to go:
Alaska has relatively few highways. If you plan on roadside fishing, be aware that road-accessible areas are very popular. Be prepared to share your fishing spots with others. Fishing etiquette is a must. Natural populations of fish inhabit clearwater streams, rivers and lakes, and many lakes are stocked. Silty, glacial rivers generally provide poor sport fishing.

If you are more adventurous, then you may wish to charter a boat or an aircraft to take you to those more isolated fishing holes. Many anglers arrange to float remote area rivers for excellent fishing. Bush pilots and outfitters can take you to a “put-in” location, provide a raft, equipment and then pick the anglers up later at a specified time and location.

Fishing Safety:
During peak fish runs in road-accessible areas of Alaska, crowding of anglers results in “combat fishing” conditions. To avoid conflict with others be courteous, wait your turn at a fishing hole and be cautious about casting your line near other fisherpersons.

Wear protective gear like eye protection and a heavy coat to avoid being punctured by your own hook or that on another’s line. One Alaskan hospital has a manikin on display with fish hooks and lures removed from unlucky anglers by the physicians on staff. A sobering display about a fun activity/recreation.

Medical emergency personnel have made free eye protection available at the Russian River Ferry for anglers going fishing on the Kenai and Russian Rivers. Fishing safety is a very serious aspect of your trip to Alaska. 

Water Safety:
Wear an approved personal flotation device (pfd) or life jacket at all times, especially if you are fishing from a boat or near fast, turbulent water and remember it won’t help if it is not fastened. Alaska’s waters are extremely cold! Severe hypothermia can set in within minutes of submersion and people have been known to drown in merely a couple inches of water due to cold-induced-paralysis.

Keep hip-waders unbuckled when in deep, fast moving water. Hip-waders filled with water will drag you down quickly if you cannot get out of them quick enough. In many areas it is necessary to wade the river while fishing in order to protect the bankside vegetation.

Private property:
Much of Alaska’s backcountry contains mining claims, private lands, trapping cabins, and fish camps. Respect all private property and avoid disturbing such sites, even if they look abandoned. The owners depend on the shelter and supplies during certain seasons. It is against the law to remove artifacts or otherwise disturb any archeological or historical sites, including old cabins and their contents.

Public use cabins:
Some public use cabins are supplied with a boat to use while fishing on the lake or stream adjacent to the cabin. Other cabins are accessible only by the boat you use to reach the area. If the cabin is accessible only by air, you may be able to rent a canoe and have it flown in to improve fishing opportunity at the cabin of your choice.

For more information contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov