Alaska fishing trip

[danderson]

  Just spent a week fishing the Kenai, the big kings are far and few between, fished for 6 days and saw 2 fish caught, both released because they had to be over 55 inches to legally boat, the local guides are hurting and no one really knows what happened to the run, it starts the first week of June and supposts to peak the second week in July, my buddie just got back from there 2 weeks ago and the king fishery was shut down completely to protect the run, the only bright side was the sockeye were running strong making for easy limits, and halitbit fishing was good with a two fish limit per day, Alaska dept. fish and game website has good fish count reports for folks interested in planning a trip for next year.

[LabChamp]

I would say that your best shot at a BIG king is in the Kenai, but its not a gimme fishery. A lot of people go up there and only hook 1 or 2 a day. Most of those fish are 35-50 lbs though. Plus you'll be with 150 boats full of your best buddies. Plan WAY ahead because the river is only a few days a week prime time so you'll want to book a prime week at least a year if not 2 or 3 in advance.

  He hit it right on the head! Fished the kenai for years and have many friends that live on the river. It has been pretty slow this year to say the least. I really hope that the AK game division will save this fishery. Should be that the big fish have to be put back and a limited number of slot fish available for harvest. This would eliminate people only killing trophy fish for their wall.

Sitka is a great place for numbers. Common to catch 20-30 kings a day in mid-june, per boat. Keep in mind that it is generally a one fish limit. The advantage is that you are getting to eat IMO the best salmon in the world. This area is a transitional area for most migrating salmon. Therefore, many more feeding, active, and fat laden fish available. The average king in sitka goes from 20-35 pounds. However fish over 40 are seen often, but these fish aren't a promised daily catch.

I hope this helps out!

[doyourtime89]

I have been wanting to head to AK too, but I am not really looking for the big kings.  I would like to go to somewhere and do some river fishing for big or at least good size silvers.  But from what I hear there are place to get those and get them all day and everyday.  I have heard the silver fishing is crazy and on fire.  That is what I am looking for.

[oldcamper]

  I would agree, I would rather go for the silvers and catch a bunch rather than hopeing for a few. Alaska is getting hit by the same netting problems we are in the PNW, so the pickens are getting slim.