Salmon Fishing in Alaska

Find salmon fishing all across Alaska including Aleknagik Lake, Becharof Lake, Lake Clark, Iliamna Lake and many other lakes plus plenty of streams and rivers used by salmon for spawn runs. Plan a fly fishing trip to catch big salmon including king, chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon.

The Alaska state record chinook salmon (king salmon) and the state record sockeye salmon were both caught from the Kenai River. The Moose River produced the AK state record pink salmon (humpback salmon).

Visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website for fishing reports and information about salmon fishing in Alaska.

5 Members of The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by specie. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which into the ocean and adjoining ocean waters of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. They have also been stocked in the Great Lakes with some success however the programs require continual stocking.

Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The largest of the Pacific Salmon, the chinook lives for 5 to 7 years and reaches a size well over 100 pounds.

Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta

One of the smaller of the group the chum lives 3 to 5 years and seldom exceeds 10 pounds.

Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

The smallest of the Pacific Salmon the pink seldom tops 5 pounds and lives only 2 years.

Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka

The sockeye lives 4 or 5 years and top weights seldom get to 8 pounds.

Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Growing to a size in the 15 pound range, the coho salmon lives for three years in their journey to continue the propagation of their species. Average catch is in the 8 to 12 pound range.

Salmon Fishing

Salmon fishing is at it's best during the salmon runs which can occur as early as May in the north to July as you move southward. Often a late run may happen as late as October.

Once the water temperature drops to about 50 degrees in the fall the atlantic salmon begin their spawning rituals. Young salmon stay in the fresh water until their second or third spring when they make their way to the ocean.

The preferred method for catchin salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies. For more details check here for articles about fly fishing for salmon in Alaska.

Salmon Organizations

Atlantic Salmon Federation
Atlantic Salmon Trust
Atlantic Salmon Museum
Atlantic Salmon Watch Program
Pacific Salmon Commission
Pacific Salmon Foundation

Alaska Salmon Fishing

We will attempt to provide specific detailed information about fishing for salmon. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of salmon. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips more successful.

See an overview of fishing in Alaska.

The purpose of the page is to provide specific information about fishing for Salmon in Alaska. Find information on basic trends and seasonal patterns of salmon here in the state of Alaska. Look here for tips, recommended tackle, techniques and more. We want to help you make your salmon fishing trips in AK more successful.

If you have information, articles or photos relating to salmon which you would like to see published here, please submit them for consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution. If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention it within the context of the article, we will consider your request. For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display ads, please contact us if you are interested.

If you offer fishing guide services for king, chum, coho, pink or sockeye salmon in Alaska we would like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a complimentary listing for your guide service on our Alaska Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote your salmon fishing guide services in Alaska by visiting our Advertising opportunities section.

How to submit Alaska fishing articles.

AK Salmon Fishing - All About Fishing for Salmon in Alaska.

33 lbs - 7 oz

26 lbs - 0 oz

Spends part of its life in the ocean and the remainder in streams and rivers which drain into the ocean.