Alaska Halibut Salmon Fishing

Alaska Halibut Salmon Fishing does not differ much from fishing in other locations except that the state has so many remote locations to choose from, and that Alaska has some of the largest salmon and halibut in the world. During May and August, an angler can take a fishing charter that splits its time between freshwater salmon fishing and deep-water halibut fishing. In May the combination trip would include king salmon, and in August it would include silver salmon

Alaska Halibut Salmon Fishing
Get a fishing license. All fishermen in Alaska must have a sport-fishing license with two exceptions. Children under the age of 16 do not need a license, and Alaska residents over the age of 60 do not need a fishing license. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a resident fishing license lasts until the end of the calendar year, while non-resident fishing licenses can be obtained for one, three, seven or 14 days. Anyone who needs a fishing license also must have a separate king salmon stamp if she wishes to fish for king (chinook) salmon.
Choose a location and/or a charter. Salmon run in freshwater rivers, and fisherman can also catch them in saltwater coves. Salmon anglers can stand on the bank or shoreline or fish from a boat. Halibut-- especially the very large "barn door" halibut--stay in colder, deeper saltwater. If you want to fish for both salmon and halibut on the same day, you can take a charter that goes after both species. Most coastal towns in southwestern Alaska such as Kodiak, Aniak, and Togiak, south-central Alaska including Seward, Kenai, and Homer, and southeastern Alaska, including the town of Sitka, have charter services available for both salmon and halibut fishing.
Bring in the fish. Salmon fishing requires use of a size 3 or 4 hook, and 15- to 30-pound test line. Lures, eggs and herring--live and frozen--are all used for salmon fishing with results varying on the river and the time of year as to what works best. Halibut bite on chum-baited hooks on 60- to 120-pound test line. The ends of the four- to five-foot-long halibut-fishing rod can be fitted into a waist belt to allow smaller fishermen to haul up the large, 35- to 250-pound fish from depths that can run in excess of 200 feet. Anglers who go out on charters do not need to provide their own tackle; the charter company provides everything needed as well as expert guidance on technique.

Tips & Warnings in Alaska Halibut Salmon Fishing

Contact a charter service before you make a trip to Alaska to go fishing since during prime times the charter companies may be sold out for several weeks in advance.
Consider having your fish cut and packed in Alaska rather than trying to bring it home whole. Most packing companies will take care of everything from cleaning to shipping the fish.
Remote fishing in Alaska adds another unique experience. Choose from multiple fly-in or boat-in only lodges, floating cabins, and combination river rafting/fishing trips. For people who want to have a rugged wilderness experience remote cabins are a good choice of lodging and for those seeking more comfort, some of the lodges offer world-class luxury along with great fishing.

South-central Alaska has some of the highest tides in North America. Be watchful of other anglers and, if wading, do not get so far from shore that you can't make it back to land quickly if the water starts rising.
Grizzly and black bears enjoy salmon as much as people. Be wary if you fish along a river or stream that you don't come between a bear and its food, or a sow and her cubs. If over-nighting, put any salmon you've caught in a bear-proof container and store it far from your tent.