Fishing in Southeast Alaska
Fishing in Southeast Alaska offers anglers once-in-a-lifetime experiences… towering mountains, pristine waters, and some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in the world. At Salmon Run Fishing Lodge, we make it easy to enjoy the wild beauty of Alaska with comfortable lodging, delicious food, and the warm hospitality of a family-run lodge.
Salmon Species
King (Chinook) Salmon
The crowning jewel of Alaska’s salmon runs. Kings are the largest of the salmon species – strong, fast and prized for both their fight and their flavor.
They cruise tidal zones and deeper channels, especially early in the season, Troll slow with herring, flashers and hoochies, and keep your gear down deep.
Pro tip: Kings strike with attitude so keep a steady hand and don’t rush the reel – they’ll test your drag and your patience.
Prime time: June (or whenever the season is open)
Silver (Coho) Salmon
Aggressive, acrobatic, and a blast to catch. Coho are known for their wild jumps, fast runs, and sheer enthusiasm once hooked. They start showing up mid summer, often in shallower waters near creek mouths and shorelines. Troll faster than you would for other salmon, using bright flashers, hoochies or spinners to trigger their chase instinct.
Pro tip: Watch for surface action – when silvers are schooling and feeding near the top, it’s game on.
Prime time: July, August, and September
Pink (Humpy) Salmon
Smaller, but scrappy, and perfect for nonstop action and mellow flavor. Pinks are the most abundant salmon species in Southeast Alaska, showing up in big numbers. They’re easy to catch, fun for all skill levels, and love flashy gear like pink or chartreuse squaddies. Look for them near river mouths and in shallow saltwater.
Pro tip: Keep your retrieve fast and lively – pinks are aggressive and will often strike just out of instinct. Great for first timers or filling the freezer.
Prime time: June, July, and early August
Sockeye (Red) Salmon
Hard to catch, but worth the effort. Sockeye are the introverts of the salmon world – selective biters with bright red flesh and incredible flavor. They travel in huge schools and stick close to rivers and creek mouths during their run. Traditionally bait often won’t cut it; think small, flashy spinners.
Pro tip: Focus on finesse. Light gear, natural presentation, and casting into the school from the edges often seals the deal. And once they’re on? Quick, spirited fights with a whole lot of heart.
Prime time: July and early August
Chum (Dog) Salmon
Underated fights with serious attitude. Chum might not get the glory of kings or silvers, but they hit hard and brawl all the way to the boat. Known for their fierce jaws and tiger-striped spawning colors, chums are usually found near stream mouths later in the season. They love spinners, jigs and squiddies in shallow water.
Pro tip: Don’t judge by the name, fresh-run chums are strong, aggressive, and make for a great fight. Target them with the same gear used for coho, but keep it sturdy.
Prime time: June, July and August
Other Available Fish Species
Halibut
The heavyweight champion of Alaska waters. These flat giants can weigh over 100 pounds and put up a serious fight!
Halibut are bottom dwellers, often found in deeper channels and sandy flats. Drop your bait straight down, be patient and get ready for a tug-o-war.
Pro tip: Let them nibble before you set the hook. These big ones like to test their meal first. And once they’re hooked? Hold on tight.
Prime time: all. season. long.
Rockfish
Bold colors, tasty fillets, and plenty of action. Southeast Alaska is home to a variety of native rockfish species like quillback, yelloweye, dusky, black and copper rockfish. These bottom dwellers hang around rocky reefs, kelp beds, and underwater ledges. They’re a fun catch and a favorite for their mild, flaky meat. Drop jigs or baited hooks near structure – and be ready for a quick strike.
Pro tip: once you hook one, mark the spot – rockfish are homebodies and tend to gather in the same rugged hideouts.
Pacific Cod
The under-the-radar catch with a tasty payoff. Pacific cod may not put up a wild fight, but they’re a reliable bottom fish with mild, flaky meat that’s perfect for fish tacos or a beer batter fry-up. You’ll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in deeper waters – drop baited hooks with squid, herring or jigs right to the sea floor.
Pro tip: Fish slow and stay near the bottom. If you’re catching one, chances are there’s a school nearby.
Shellfish
Dungeness Crab
Sweet, meaty and worth the haul. Dungeness are known for their rich flavor and impressive size. Found in sandy or muddy bays and shallow coastal waters, they’re best caught with baited crab pots soaked for a few hours.
Pro tip: Check the tides. crabbing is often best on a slack tide. And don’t forget to measure – keepers must meet size regulations to be kept.
Shrimp
Sweet, delicate and worth the drop – Alaska’s shrimp are a hidden gem beneath the surface. These deep-dwelling crustaceans are some of the sweetest, most sought-after seafood in Southeast Alaska. Coonstripe shrimp are smaller, striped and usually found in shallower waters – great for quick pots near shore. Spot shrimp, the real trophy prawns are much larger with distinctive white spots and thrive in deep, rocky channels.
Pro tip: Soak your shrimp pots in 300-600 ft of water using oily bait like cat food, fish heads, or shrimp pellets. Let them sit a few hours or overnight for best results.
The Gear
Boats
19' Alumawelds - Ready to Fish
Our 19′ Alumaweld boats are no-nonsense fishing machines, powered by reliable Yamaha motors and fully outfitted with rain covers, depth finders, and everything you need for fishing in Southeast Alaska. Built to handle rough water and unpredictable weather, these boats take you deep into the wild, off the grid, and right where the fish are.
Tackle
The things we use in Southeast Alaska
We provide everything you need for the water: flashers, hoochies, spoons, dips divers and herring bait for salmon fishing, plus heavy jigs and and circle hooks built to battle halibut. Our gear is proven in Southeast Alaska waters and ready for your next catch.
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