Alaska Salmon Fishing Charters
There's a reason Alaska is famous for its salmon: millions of them run up Alaska's rivers every summer, exploding out of the water along the way. Whether your heart's set on one of the five Alaska salmon species (kings are largest, reds richest, and silvers best fighters) or you just want delicious wild salmon to take home, you can find one here, fishing solo or booking a half day or full day on a charter. These trips may include your tackle and gear and may even include help cleaning, packaging and shipping home your catches. If you’ve never fished before, Alaska is the place to try it!
Price Range
$200+ for a half-day, $300+ or full-day boat charter, $700+ for a fly-in, per person. About $20 for a license.
Best Time to Go
May through August. The exact peak dates vary based on where you are, but the season’s basic lineup goes like this: king, silver, sockeye, pink and chum.
Where to Go
With so many salmon swimming in Alaska’s waters, lots of towns can claim that they’re the salmon capital—and all can be right, depending on when you’re there. You can choose between river or ocean fishing, and a variety of settings:
- Anchorage: While there are spots around town to go fishing on your own, if you want serious fishing, you’ll take a fly-in fishing trip from here. Fly-ins take you beyond the reach of roads and offer you the best chance of catching lots of fish. Professional guides lead you to the day's hot fishing holes.
- Kenai River from Cooper Landing, Kenai, or Soldotna: The Kenai has many appeals: It's one of the world's few rivers that support all five Pacific salmon species. The world's biggest salmon are caught here, too, including a record 97-pound king. The canyon- and forest-filled area has eagles, great hiking and scenery. And it's only a 2-hour drive from Anchorage to Cooper Landing, where most charters launch. The waters are turquoise and you have a great chance of seeing bald eagles—as well as plenty of other anglers.
- Seward: You’ll most likely do ocean charters here—big boats, and a full day. You’ll get great scenery, too: huge mountains and glaciers in the background; whales, porpoises, sea otters and other marine wildlife in the foreground. 2.5 hours from Anchorage.
- Homer: Year-round saltwater salmon fishing, and a funky, artists-meet-anglers town, too. You can fish on your own off the Spit, or with a charter out on Kachemak Bay, where you have a decent chance of seeing whales. Six and a half hours from Anchorage.
- Talkeetna: Like the Kenai, the silty, glacial rivers here offers all five species of salmon. Two hours from Anchorage.
- Ketchikan: A prime spot for salmon in the Southeast. You have lakes, streams and the Ketchikan Creek to choose from—go solo, use charters, or stay in a fishing lodge. Ketchikan is a major stop on cruises and along the Alaska Marine Highway, or you can fly from Anchorage or Seattle.
- Sitka: The saltwater salmon here, just outside Sitka Sound, prove that halibut don’t always corner the market on girth: they often top 100 pounds. Memorial Day and the weekend after are when the town has its Salmon Fishing Derby. Freshwater fishing here also offers sockeye, coho, pink, steelhead trout, brook trout and grayling. This town on the Inside Passage is also famous for its Russian culture.
- Yakutat: This small town in the Southeast is known for its wealth of all five salmon species, as well as halibut, and all close to shore. This way off-the-beaten town—yet has daily jet service—is also great for hiking and even surfing.
What You Need
Really nothing… Most companies provide all the gear you need, and you can buy your license from them. Serious anglers usually bring their own gear. Whether you go solo or with a charter, you need a license. Get your license online or buy one at most outdoor gear stores, supermarkets, etc
Compare
Tour | Details | Highlights | Downside | Why Choose It? |
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Fly-in Fishing from Anchorage |
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Kenai River Fishing |
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Susitna River Valley, Talkeetna, Chulitna & Susitna Rivers |
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Show Map
Salmon Fishing
Cooper Landing View All
Where will you find Alaska’s best salmon fishing? The Kenai Peninsula is hard to beat. Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA) has specialized in fishing the Upper Kenai River between Kenai and Skilak Lakes since 1977. Their professional guides are experts in fly-fishing, drift fishing, and back trolling, so you can fish from the boat, the bank, or both. Expect an exciting day of fishing for salmon (red, silver, or king depending on the season), as ...more
Fishing the Kenai Peninsula is pretty much the ultimate for fishermen the world over, and with Alaska River Adventures, even beginners do well. This area is famous for salmon (Kings, reds and silvers), rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden, which Alaska River Adventures can help you find in the amazing green of the Kenai River and other points along the Peninsula. Alaska River Adventure guides have been fishing these waters for years. They’re patient ...more
Angle for Alaska’s most iconic fish: salmon (king, sockeye, silver) and trout on a half, three-quarters, or full day fishing charter from Cooper Landing, just 2 hours south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. Led by expert guides, you’ll fish with all top-quality gear provided and can even ship your catch home with you as a souvenir. Owner David Lisi works with elite guides and will handpick the one that will be the best fit for your group. ...more
Ketchikan View All
Ketchikan is known as the “salmon capital of the world,” and this uniquely personal tour is your chance to angle for these iconic Alaskan fish — as well as huge halibut. You’ll board an intimate fishing boat — complete with top-quality fishing and rain gear, as well as heaters, snacks, and beverages — close to the Ketchikan cruise terminal. And, since this is a private charter, it will be only your group on board!
Baranof Fishing Excursions offers classic Alaska fishing experiences from their private marina in downtown Ketchikan. They provide everything you need from rubber boots to expert guides, for an extraordinary fishing adventure!
Ketchikan — the salmon fishing capital of the world — was made for fishing. And Salmon Falls Resort has made it easy to experience this iconic Alaskan activity with a full or half-day of unforgettable angling. Whether you’re stopping for the day in Ketchikan on a cruise ship or already in town and looking for a great one-day outing, this is for you.
From cruise ship excursions to all-day fishing trips, Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters provides top-notch equipment and a customized approach to make your trip an adventure to remember. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and be ready for a fishing experience like no other!
Homer View All
Homer is the halibut capital of Alaska, and this longtime charter company offers a blue-chip way to get to the fish. They have high-quality boats, experienced captains, and enthusiastic crews — as well as an inside line on finding halibut, rock fish and silver salmon. But they also offer a variety of other ways to enjoy the waters off Kachemak Bay, from wildlife cruising to paddling a kayak or hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Go fish! Cast your line for iconic Alaskan salmon and halibut — as well as other species — as you explore the shimmering waters around Homer with the passionate fishing pros of Maverick Charters. The stunning area is one that many travelers don’t get to explore, and all ages can enjoy this unforgettable outing — no experience necessary!
Kodiak View All
Kenai / Soldotna View All
Where can you find the biggest salmon, on average, in the entire world? In the Kenai River. And The River Crew, based in Soldotna, can take you to some secret spots on the famous river to fish for salmon and trout — whether you’re an experienced angler or not.
Seward View All
When in Seward, head out on the water with Alaska Northern Outfitters on their comfortable 46-foot catamaran – the Sea Quest — for an epic day of fishing for halibut, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish. It’s the only charter vessel in Seward with an upper viewing deck. This lets you sightsee or have lunch on the upper deck while watching the action below. . Inside you’ll find a large and heated interior, indoor seating for everyone, tables, and ...more
Iconic Alaskan fishing amid the stunning views of Kenai Fjords National Park: Go angling out of Seward with the experts at Crazy Ray’s Adventures and experience this winning combination for yourself. No experience necessary!
Profish-n-sea Charters, out of Seward, offers salmon and halibut fishing with friendly, experienced Alaskan guides. Trips last a full day; you’ll motor 2 to 2.5 hours from Seward to the Gulf of Alaska, Montague Island, and other outer-coast hotspots. Profish-n-Sea knows the three keys to catching fish: boats, knowledge, and gear. That’s why the boats are always clean, the gear sharp, and the crew friendly, helpful, and fun.
Sitka View All
Sitka Expeditions offers 6‑hour outings, but can customize the tour to your cruise schedule. Fish, take in the mountain views, and look for wildlife. The unique ecosystem of the Sitka area attracts tons of fish. And, the company’s owners were both born and raised in Sitka and have been fishing these waters their whole lives. They have inside scoop on the best spots to cast your line!
Copper Center View All
Experience a full- or half-day sport-fishing trip the way it was meant to be: with a relaxing visit to an uncrowded fishing hole. Depending on the season, you can try for kings, sockeye, trout, or Arctic grayling, as you angle with fishing guides who know the ins and outs of these cold, glacial drainages.
Talkeetna View All
Fish more of the hot spots with Phantom Charters, a family company run by folks who live to fish and bring a lifetime of insider knowledge to your trip. Using special, shallow-running boats to get into hard-to-reach waters, they’ll take you to best river fishing around Talkeetna. Wander the bank and cast for Silvers, Chums, Pinks, and Sockeyes, or troll from behind the boat as well as shore fish for the Big Kings.
Join Dave Fish Alaska on a private fishing excursion in Talkeetna. Choose from a variety of transportation options and fish for Alaska’s iconic species with the help of our experienced guides. No experience is necessary, all levels are welcome.
Anchorage View All
Go fishing right in Anchorage – whether you have only have a few hours or a full day. Rent a gear package and fish on your own. Or, hire one of our local guides to take you on a guided tour to land your dream catch. You can also buy bait and fishing licenses.
The Northwoods Lodge is a remote lodge where visitors can find themselves in a 45 minute flight from Anchorage. The lodge specializes in guided fishing, and guests can enjoy 8 to 10 hours of fishing a day if they choose. Guides help you spin or fly fish for trophy king salmon, silver and sockeye salmon, or resident rainbow trout, arctic grayling and northern pike
Since 1963, Rust’s has been safely carrying anglers far away from the crowds. Experienced guides lead you to world-class fishing for kings, silvers, grayling, and trout in some of Alaska’s most beautiful and remote wilderness — and they’ll clean and package your catch for the trip back to Anchorage. On the way, enjoy a window-seat view and pilot narration.
Take a fly-in salmon or trout-fishing trip out of Anchorage with Regal Air to enjoy world-class fishing in pristine, remote rivers. Regal Air teams up with wilderness lodges and guiding services and can set you up with anything from lunch to gear. They’ll even teach you how to cast. You’ll get the ultimate Alaska flying experience, taking off and landing in a float plane, and soaring over big, braided glacier river valleys and endless forests. ...more
Just a 1‑hour drive from Anchorage, Whittier is the closest town to experience the thrill of fishing for halibut. Go with the professional guides at Crazy Ray’s Adventures and you can also angle for salmon and rockfish on comfortable boats, surrounded by the jaw-dropping scenery of Prince William Sound. No experience necessary!
Exploring Alaska’s backcountry lakes, forests and rivers is a phenomenal experience. Wilderness Place Lodge — tucked away on a remote river northwest of Anchorage — offers excellent access to nearly any freshwater fish you came to Alaska for, along with a unique eco-travel experience that comes with a high level of service, a variety of non-fishing activities and the mellow freedom to create an Alaskan experience that suits your own taste.
You don’t need to be an expert or a Hollywood star to enjoy fly-out fishing in the wilds of Alaska. Trail Ridge Air offers guided, non-guided and custom trips, getting you into creeks and lakes where you can catch not only fish, but also a great Alaskan fish tale of your very own.
Whittier View All
Just a 1‑hour drive from Anchorage, Whittier is the closest town to experience the thrill of fishing for halibut. Go with the professional guides at Crazy Ray’s Adventures and you can also angle for salmon and rockfish on comfortable boats, surrounded by the jaw-dropping scenery of Prince William Sound. No experience necessary!