Alaska Fish Species
Alaskan waters provide a wide range of fishing opportunities. Between three saltwater seas, the Arctic, Pacific, and Bering, and over three million lakes and three thousand rivers provide ample habitat for a wide range of fish. The following species are found throughout different sections of Alaska, providing year-round sport fishing opportunities. These are the most popular, but local guides can be found to fish for other favorites, such as brook or cutthroat trout.
The Arctic char can be found in freshwater lakes and as anadromous fish, meaning they live in the seas and migrate up rivers to spawn. The largest population of arctic char can be found in the lakes and rivers on the north slope of the Brooks Range. The anadromous char can be found in a wide range stretching from the Aleutian Islands to Alaska's panhandle. A char's color will range from red to gold based on habitat, diet and season, but in general will be dark greenish-brown color along the back and gradually lightening to silver towards the belly. A smattering of white to brown spots will also be seen on the body.-orange spots. Their body color darkens to olive along the top and lightens closer to the belly.
The Arctic grayling is one of sport fishing's darlings. Its trademark, oversized dorsal fin makes identifying it an easy task. It can be found nearly throughout Alaska's freshwater habitats, with the exception of the Aleutian Islands. Where most other species will return to the exact same location to spawn, the grayling will often choose different streams for spawning, feeding and wintering more directly related to the habitat quality. The optimum season for grayling falls between June and October, but they can be caught year-round in pristine, clear water sources.
Based on their less-than-desirable appearance, the Burbot would probably not be fished if not for their excellent taste. Other common names for the burbot are eelpout, ling or lingcod and many find it resembles a catfish. Its elongated body is dark green to yellow, with long fins and barbells hanging from the head. They are extremely slick and slimy to hold with extremely small scales. This freshwater species can be fished year-round across Alaska, although it is not commonly found in the southeast or Aleutian portions. They can be caught in deep water during the summer with anchor bait and are an ice fishing favorite for winter fishermen.
The King or Chinook salmon is Alaska's state fish and the largest of all the Pacific salmon species. As anadromous fish, they can be found in excellent supply from the Yukon River throughout the southeast Alaskan panhandle. Major runs occur in many rivers like the Yukon or Copper usually once per year between May and July. The best fishing typically occurs in waters with increasing clarity. A king's appearance changes between fresh and saltwater locations. In freshwater streams, it will range from red to dark brown with males developing curved backs and hooked noses during the spawn. Their time spent in saltwater will be with a blue-green back fading to silver and white down to the belly.
The Silver or Coho salmon is one of the Alaskan fisherman's favorite fish, primarily for the action and fight it provides when it is hooked. It is one of the most widely found salmon, ranging along coastlines and interior settings from the Arctic Circle to the southeast panhandle. The most popular destinations for fishing the Coho are Cook Inlet and the Gulf of Alaska. As with other salmon, their appearance changes between fresh and saltwater. They have the blue-green backs to white or silver bellies in saltwater, with more dark spots on their backs than the King Salmon. In freshwater and spawning, they turn dark red or green, with the males developing the hooked nose or kype.
The Sockeye salmon is similar to the King and Silver, but generally smaller in weight and length. It is most commonly found in the Bristol Bay area, but most rivers along the Alaska and Kenai Peninsulas will have annual runs as well. The peak season is June to September, but good Sockeye fishing can be found anytime of the year in the open ocean.
Dolly Varden are cousins to the Arctic Char, but differ in a more silver appearance, the addition of dark spots on their sides, a longer nose and more pronounced forked tail. There are two types of "dollies." The freshwater version is present from the Brooks Range to the southern stretches of the Alaskan Interior. The anadromous strain lives all along the Alaskan coastline from the Aleutian Islands down to the southeastern panhandle. Open season, peaks like the char and most salmon from May to October, but runs year-round.
Halibut is one of the most prized sport fish in Alaska waters, primarily for its succulent white meat. They are typically fished for essentially year-round throughout the Gulf of Alaska, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. It's easily recognizable appearance, includes one white side and one dark brown side, with both eyes on the dark brown side. As a member of the flounder family, it is a bottom dweller and is fished for in very deep waters.
Rainbow trout are one of the most sought after freshwater fish in the Alaska watershed. Natural populations exist, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game also maintains an extensive stocking program, mostly in the southcentral portions of the state. Famous natural strains occur throughout the main peninsulas, as well as the Copper and Kuskokwim River drainages. The Rainbow looks generally similar to a salmon, but smaller with the red to pink stripe along their sides that is easily identified. Peak season runs from May to October and the rainbow is also known for its ability to put up a fight when it is hooked.
The Steelhead trout is a rainbow trout that has migrated to saltwater. It will typically return to freshwater to spawn. They are very similar to the rainbow in appearance, being slightly trimmer and losing the trademark red stripe when in the saltwater. Steelhead are more streamline and trimmer than rainbows. Coastal streams in the Alaska Peninsula, Gulf of Alaska and all along the panhandle are prime steelhead territory. They have been caught all along the Alaskan saltwater areas to the Aleutian Islands.
Lake trout are the largest freshwater fish in Alaskan watersheds. While similar to other salmon and trout species with a dark grey to green with silver appearance, they are distinguishable by their deeply forked tail. They can be fished for year round, with peak seasons being spring and fall in nearly all freshwater lakes except in the Yukon or southeast.
Sheefish are a member of the whitefish family and prime fishing areas are the river drainages of the southern slopes of the western Brooks Range. Peak season runs from July through October. These large fish average 20 pounds, some reaching as high as 40. They have silver to dark green sides with very large scales.
The experience that goes into catching any of these fish can be exhilarating, but enjoying the taste of each can be just as rewarding. Nothing brings back them memory of a successful fishing trip than opening up a freezer stocked full of fresh Alaska salmon or halibut and preparing it for a dinner with family and friends. Check out these great Alaska seafood recipes.
