Basic Tips for The best Alaska Fishing Vacation
- Prepare all your gear before you head out on the water. Rods should be rigged with bait, flies, hoochies, and other lures attached in a brine. Thawed herring can be soaked in brine the evening before.
- During peak times, find out one hour before and after the tide changes, so you can fish hard. Don’t tie lures, change areas, or eat lunch during peak times. Often when the bite hits, your gear must be in the water, or you may miss your chance to catch fish
- You can spot the bait by observing it flipping on the water (aka boiling). Keep an eye out for birds in the water, particularly seagulls that will usually be on the bait.
- When you are catching fish or seeing fish being caught, remain in the area where you are fishing. You do not want to run away from the fish. Alaska guided fishing trips will be of great help.
- It’s important not always to fish in areas where people are fishing. Salmon are often found in the bottom, near rock piles, kelp beds, close to shorelines, or in bait balls. It’s typically better to fish alone in a less-populated area for salmon than to fish a busy one. Learn how to fish well in one spot, then extend your range by fishing other nearby spots. Pay attention to the bottom: where the rocks are, and where the water gets slick.
- Color your lures. Use colored lures in the top thirty feet of water (especially white ones). Below fifty feet, use blue, green, purple, and glow lures.
- In addition, if you are using bait, do not forget to check it every 15 minutes. If you are using lures, be aware of any change in rod tip action that indicates you might be getting bit.
- Keep your hooks sharp!
- Be careful not to hook jellyfish, seaweed, plankton, or kelp. Enjoy the best salmon fishing in Alaska.
While Alaska Is Vast, It Won’t Seem Intimidating When You Know How To Get The Most Out Of Your Trip:
- Summer is the best time to see wildlife in Alaska, but you won’t see the northern lights until the night skies are dark. Shoulder seasons are good for finding deals.
- There is no better way to get here than by air. Alaska’s largest communities are served by major airlines, and many have direct flights to our international airports from major U.S. cities. A cruise or drive up the Alaska Highway may be more appealing if you have more time or wish to explore along the way.
- If you are a luxury traveler or a backpacker, do you prefer doing it yourself or getting a packaged tour, there are options for you to choose from.
- Identify your must-do lists and plan your trip around them. You should focus on what you really want to see. Take a dog sled tour, see wildlife, or book a fishing charter – whatever takes your fancy.
- Give yourself time to explore Alaska’s amazing landscapes by adding some free time. You never know what you might find when you explore the Last Frontier.
- Try something new, if you have not been to Alaska before, like a jet boat tour, a flightseeing trip over a glacier, a zip line across the temperate rainforest, fishing for wild Alaska salmon, or tasting local beer.
- Pixels are cheap, and you certainly don’t want to run out of space when you’re trying to take the perfect Alaska picture.
- Pack light and take only what you need. Fleece jackets, a long raincoat, and sturdy shoes are essentials when traveling in the summer.
- Local tourism offices are happy to share local hot spots and off-the-beaten-path destinations with you. Silver king lodge Alaska is also good.
- Find out more about Alaska by reading books like Coming Into the Country by John McPhee, browsing the Milepost, and exploring our homepage for many ideas on how to plan your Alaska adventure.
Tip # 1: Plan To Save On Costs
When you travel to Alaska, planning ahead can prove invaluable, even if you are spontaneous by nature.
Tip #2: Make an Alaska bucket list
A bucket list can be overwhelming with all the activities to do in the state, from whale watching to dog sledding to seeing the northern lights and musk ox viewing. Some places also may or may not be on the list.
Tip #3: Take Daylight Hours Into Consideration
The lack of darkness is a nice bonus for drivers in Alaska during the summer The extra daylight is a nice perk, but avoid driving when tired.
Tip # 4: Budget Accordingly
Due to its geography, Alaska is expensive to travel as It is about 3,500 kilometers (3,300 miles) from Seattle, the closest major US city to Anchorage, it is a challenge to ship things that are not produced locally into Alaska.
Tip #5 Cell Phone Coverage
It is still called “The Last Frontier State,” but Alaska’s infrastructure is fairly good – and that includes cell coverage. Our AT&T SIM cards worked pretty well pretty much everywhere, including for data.
Tip #6 Invest in a Cooler and Stock up on Groceries
In most chain restaurants in Alaska, prices were about 20% higher than in the lower 48.
Tip #7 Avoid Tourist Traps
You can definitely eat out occasionally. See what reviewers recommend avoiding the tourist traps and find the places that provide you with an authentic experience.
Tip #8 Watch For Wildlife
Pullover if you see cars pulling over. You may see a moose or a bear on the roadside. Prepare your camera.
Tip #9 And Watch For Wildlife On Trails
The wildlife in Alaska is everywhere, so stay away from them.
Tip #10 Experience Alaska’s wildlife up close at sanctuaries.
Visits to Alaska’s sanctuaries and research stations are great ways to see wildlife up close.
Tip #11 Seeing the Northern Lights is possible if you keep trying
However, during shoulder seasons, you can also see these awe-inspiring lights. If you’re in Alaska in September, don’t give up hope!
Tip #12 Visit The Coast While You’re There
Those going to Alaska on a cruise will see a lot of Alaska’s coastline. However, those flying into Anchorage for a few days can concentrate more on seeing Denali and driving up to Fairbanks.
Tip #13 See Whales and Glaciers at Least Once if you Can
The best way to see Alaska is from the water. There is nothing quite like seeing a tidal glacier calf drop into the ocean or an Orca whale pod cross the water.
Tip #14 Top Up On Fuel Before Driving The Alcan
The driving time between gas stations can easily be 3-4 hours on either of the Alaska Highways or the Cassiar. And this is in the summer months.
Tip # 15 Take Advantage of Pull-Offs to Observe the Scenery Safely
You can have gorgeous pictures of the countryside by using the high-quality pull-offs along the highway. Stopping your car frequently to take pictures may seem tedious, but you will not regret it.
Tip # 16 For Chilly Weather, Pack Multiple Layers
During the Alaskan winter, you will need your best winter clothing and gear; however, during the rest of the year, you can expect cooler temperatures during the afternoon.
Tip # 17 If You Like Fishing, Then Go For It
In Alaska, the peak of the fishing season occurs during the summer. King salmon fishing is at its best between mid-May and mid-July.
Tip # 18 National Park
A visit to one or two Alaskan national parks is probably on your bucket list if you are going to Alaska.
Tip #19 Denali Shuttles Leave Early
Denali National Park is a very popular attraction in Alaska, and it is easy to see why.
Tip # 20 Discover Alaska’s Nightlife
There isn’t a better city to enjoy Alaska’s nightlife than Anchorage. The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is known for its amazing food and unique drinks that keep its residents entertained.
Tip # 21 Look for Local Events
If the Iditarod is too early in the season for you, check out what’s on offer during your visit to Alaska.
Tip #22 Experience the Great Outdoors
In Alaska, you can enjoy heli-skiing, sled dog mushing, kayaking, ice climbing, and ATVing through forests.
Tip #23 Outdoors, stay safe
It’s good to enjoy nature, but always keep in mind what mother nature can throw at you.
Tip # 24 Consider Flight Seeing
Fly over Alaska for a different perspective. Several companies offer flights to places such as Denali National Park in small aircraft and helicopters.
Tip #25 Meet The Locals
Another fun experience was dining with a local family at a State Fair.
Tip #26 There’s Always Water Around, But Which Kind Would You Prefer?
Many lodges specialize in saltwater fishing and/or freshwater fishing while others offer both, but at a higher price. One lodge we like offers both, but at a higher price.
Tip #27 It Is Very Helpful To Get Recommendations
It is imperative to separate hyperbole from reality when reading website claims about fishing and guides at a lodge. Many sources can be helpful when researching Alaskan lodges. Inquire about the accommodations, services, and guides from people who have been to many lodges, or read online reviews from a variety of sources. Get the best Alaska fly-fishing lodges.
Tip #28 Seasonal Effects
As a general rule, early in the season is the best time for king salmon fishing. Recently, the Chinook season has been truncated and closed at times, so keep this in mind. You must consider the best time to fish in Alaska.
Tip #29 Don’t Get Caught up in Crowds
In order to get to good fishing grounds without spending hours in a boat, opt for an off-the-beaten-track lodge. Most guides will be based in major cities, like Juneau or Ketchikan, so you will need to travel a considerable distance.
Tip #30 Educate Yourself Before You Buy
If you are considering which lodge to stay at, be sure to factor in all your costs, such as the flight from Juneau, the guide service, the cabins, the food, wonderful fishing, as well as washing, packaging, and freezing fillets for transport.
Tip #31 Clothing
You should bring numerous layers of clothing if you plan to go out on open water. It will be chilly in the morning, so you will need those extra layers right away. The sun will be out later in the day, so as you go you may shed some layers.
Tip #32 Extra Gear
If you do not wear sunscreen and lip balm on your fishing trip, the reflective glare from the water and lack of shade can make the experience very uncomfortable. Sunglasses are also a necessity.
