Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Anchorage (Full Guide)
Anchorage may not be as famous as some other fishing locations in Alaska, but it is home to some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in Alaska. Knowing the best time of year to fish these rich waters can make a huge difference.
The best time to fish near Anchorage is from May through September for king salmon, coho salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. Very good rockfish angling continues into October.
| Fish Species | Best Times to Fish Anchorage Coastal Waters |
| King Salmon (Chinook) | Prominent king runs May through June & July through Mid-August. |
| Silver Salmon (Coho) | The biggest run is July through September. |
| Halibut | May through mid-September is the best fishing time for Anchorage halibut. |
| Lingcod | The Lingcod season runs July through the end of August. |
| Rockfish | June through October is the best fishing time for Anchorage rockfish. |
A lot of anglers come to Alaska to enjoy fishing. Anchorage is one of the best fishing destinations in Alaska. The city is very popular in the world of sport fishing. When fishing in Anchorage, anglers have a chance to land salmon or trout. Anchorage is a fishing town like no other.
Anchorage has a convenient location. The city provides anglers with easy access to the water reserves and numerous fishing spots. Anchorage impresses fishermen with a variety of waters. Here, you can fish in the river, streams, lakes, and in the deep waters of the ocean.
Angling around Anchorage is interesting and productive. The city offers fishing for all tastes and budgets. Anglers can always book a charter with a fishing expert. Anchorage has options for those anglers, who are looking for affordable fishing. There are many places near Anchorage where anglers can fish without a boat.
Best Time to Fish Anchorage
It’s necessary to plan a fishing trip to Alaska carefully in advance. Anglers get the most out of Anchorage fishing adventures if they visit the city at the right time. Obviously, you have to visit Anchorage when fishing in the area is the most productive.
When selecting the best time to travel to Alaska, fishermen have to take into account the species of fish they are going to target. And of course, you should go fishing when these species are the most active.
Anchorage area fishing opportunities are great all year round. However, the best time of the year to fish Anchorage is summer. It’s worth noting that the vast majority of fish species are active during the summer months. The peak fishing season in Anchorage starts in June and lasts till August. Fishermen get the best results during this time of the year.
Summer is a great time to catch many different species of fish such as chum salmon, pink, red, and silver. When the season to fish for these species ends, you can try to catch King Salmon and other species. Anglers should study bite times of target fish species and go fishing during peak seasons.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Coastal Alaska
These coastal Alaska-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Alaskan Adventure Guides | Salmon & Bottom Fishing |
| Peninsula Sportfishing – Kenai River | River Salmon Fishing |
| Anchor Down Sportfishing | Salmon & Bottom Fishing |
| King of the River | River Salmon Fishing |
| Big Butt Charters | Salmon & Bottom Fishing |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Anchorage Species Breakdown: Best Time
Anchorage impresses anglers with the diversity and abundance of fish species. The area offers good catches for anglers during the summer months. Here, we’ll talk about the most common species of fish in the area to help you prepare for a trip. So, you will find information on the bite times of fish species. Also, we’ll explain where to catch these fish species in Anchorage.
King salmon
Anchorage is a paradise for anglers, who would like to catch king salmon. Here, fishermen have a chance to catch king salmons of 20 – 30 pounds. The fish is the most active in summer. Anglers catch salmon in the streams in the town. The best time to fish for king salmon is morning.
Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout is another fish that anglers can catch in the area. The peak time for rainbow trout is June – August. Rainbow trout can be found in the area’s lakes and streams. The fish actively feeds between dawn and 2 hours after sunrise in the morning and between 3 hours prior to sunset and dusk in the evening.
Cutthroat trout
Anchorage has a lot to offer to those anglers, who like fly fishing. If you use this method, try to fish for cutthroat trout. The season to fish for cutthroat trout begins in the middle of June and lasts till October.
Cutthroat trout is found in the lakes in the southeastern part of the area. It’s worth noting that fishing for cutthroat trout is the most productive in the early morning and late afternoon.
Dolly Varden
Fishermen can also target dolly varden in the area. The fish has a body of olive green-gray color. There are also spots of light yellow color on the body of the fish.
The fish is commonly found in lakes and streams. The season to fish for dolly varden in the area is between July and September.
Halibut
Halibut is a very strong bottom fish. If you a lucky enough to catch it during the Anchorage fishing trip, you must be prepared for a long fight. It’s necessary to target halibut in the waters of the ocean near Anchorage. The season to fish for halibut starts in the middle of May and lasts till the middle of September.
Coho salmon
It’s possible to target coho salmon in Anchorage as well. Coho salmon is also known as silver salmon. Traditionally, commercial fishermen prefer to target coho salmon in the area.
The season is high between May and September. You will be able to catch coho salmon in the town’s streams and lakes. It would be better to target coho salmon either in the early morning or in the late evening.
Sockeye salmon
Sockeye salmon is also known as red salmon. The average weight of fish is 7 pounds. The fish has a high oil content. That’s why so many anglers are interested in catching this fish.
The fish is the most active between July and August. You should aim to target sockeye salmon in the rivers near Anchorage. That means that you have to book a river charter to enjoy fishing for sockeye salmon in the area. Sockeye salmon actively feeds in the early morning and late evening.
Arctic grayling
Anchorage grayling gives anglers an opportunity to catch arctic grayling right in the city. It’s a freshwater fish that can be found in the area’s lakes and rivers.
Arctic grayling fish is a hard fighter. That’s why catching fish is always interesting and exciting. The season to fish for arctic grayling in Anchorage starts in late May and lasts till mid-June.
Arctic char
Arctic char are a predatory fish that’s similar to salmon and trout. The fish is the most active between late May and early July. It’s interesting to know that fish can be found in fresh and salt waters.
Arctic char can be caught at Campbell Point Lake. So, you should visit this lake if you want to catch arctic char fish during your fishing trip to Anchorage. It would be great to use fly fishing method to catch arctic char.
Northern pike
Northern pike is a fish to target for those anglers, who would like to enjoy freshwater fishing in Anchorage.
Anchorage Lakes offer great opportunities to the anglers, who would like to fish for northern pike near Anchorage. The fish is active all year round. Fishermen should aim to target northern pike around sunrise and sunset.
Best Time of Day to Fish Anchorage
As you probably know, choosing the right time of day to be on the water is a key to fishing success. You should always study the bite times of fish that you are going to catch.
It’s widely known that people come to Anchorage to target salmon and trout. It’s possible to target several species of salmon and trout in the area.
The best time of the day to fish for salmon is either early morning before sunrise or late evening after sunset. Trout is the most active in the early morning from dawn until 2 hours after sunrise.
Anchorage Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Fishing times for Anchorage depend a lot on tide times. That’s why you should know when tides are high and low in the area. Tides cause water to move. Movement of water results in an increase in fish activity. It would be better to fish the area during an incoming tide.
It’s also important to note that anglers have to select the best time to go fishing depending on the targeted species of fish. Let’s say you are interested in halibut fishing. In this case, you should plan fishing 2 hours before high or low tide and 2 hours after high or low tide.
Storms & Anchorage Fishing
Storms pose a risk to anglers and make it impossible to fish. Storms negatively affect some species of fish. However, fishing in Anchorage is often very productive after storms with rain. When planning fishing trips, anglers should always check weather forecasts for Anchorage, Alaska. This information helps anglers plan their fishing trips.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Anchorage?
The traditional fishing season in Anchorage is summer. So, the vast majority of anglers come to the area to enjoy fishing during the summer months. Nevertheless, winter gives anglers an opportunity to enjoy ice fishing. That means that you will not regret visiting the area during the winter months if you are a big fan of ice fishing.
Night Fishing in Anchorage
We all know that the vast majority of anglers prefer to catch halibut during the day. However, you need to know that it’s possible to fish for halibut at night as well.
Overnight sea cruises are available for anglers in Anchorage. During such trips, anglers can enjoy nighttime halibut fishing. Plus, anglers can fish for salmon species at night. Keep in mind that salmon bites well during full moon nights.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Shore/surf fishing is one of the best ways to target many saltwater species of fish in Anchorage. Shore/surf fishing is a technique to go for halibut, salmon, and other species of fish.
Shore/surf fishing season starts in Anchorage in April – May and lasts till the fall. It’s not a problem to find a place for surf fishing in the area. Surf fishing in Anchorage is possible on the local beaches.
Top 5 Fishing Spots in Anchorage
Anchorage is best-known for its great water reserves. There are rivers, lakes as well as streams in the area. Anchorage allows anglers to enjoy fishing in the city center. Plus, the city of Anchorage provides anglers with easy access to the ocean.
You can book a fishing trip to enjoy the deep sea near Anchorage. Fishermen have to decide what places they would like to visit during their trip to Anchorage ahead of time. Below, we’ll review the most productive fishing spots in the area in advance.
Little Campbell Lake
Little Campbell Lake is located in Kincaid Park. There is also a hotel near the lake where anglers can stay during their Anchorage fishing trips. Here, you can catch different species of fish such as arctic char, rainbow trout, salmon, and northern pike. Here, fishing is the most productive all year round. However, anglers get the best results during the summer months.
Campbell Creek
Campbell Creek is one of the silvers in Anchorage. The length of the silver is 21 miles. The river is best known for its fishing activities. Campbell Creek makes it possible for anglers to catch silver salmon, pink salmon as well as rainbow trout. The best time of the year to fish Campbell Creek is the middle of August.
Sand Lake
Sand Lake is located near Sand Lake Park. It’s a fishing spot where anglers can target arctic char, rainbow trout, salmon, and northern park. The best time to fish Sand Lake is spring and summer. When fishing in Sand Lake, anglers get the best results in June.
Jewel Lake
Jewel Lake impresses anglers with its beautiful natural views. While fishing in the lake, anglers can enjoy the beauty of the Chugach Mountains. Here, anglers can get access to the beach and picnic facilities. Among the most common fish species that you can target in the lake are silver salmon and rainbow trout. The fishing season starts in May and lasts till September.
Twentymile River
Twentymile River is located in the southern part of Anchorage. The river offers excellent opportunities to anglers. Here, fishermen prefer to target silver salmon, pink salmon, hooligan, and other species of fish. The season to fish Twentymile River starts in the middle of the summer. Fishing Twentymile River is also very productive during the fall months.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Sitka, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Alaska, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Juneau, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Homer, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Booking Charters in Anchorage
Anchorage offers a lot of charters to anglers, who would like to enjoy fishing in the most remote areas of Alaska. Trips are available during the traditional fishing season. When the season ends, anglers can take a tour to enjoy ice fishing in the region.
– Best season to go
Alaska is well-known for its cold climate. Angling around Anchorage is the most productive during the summer months. However, the fishing season can be busy in Anchorage in summer. That’s the reason why anglers must be prepared that prices are high during the peak season. Fishermen should also consider booking trips during the cooler months. Angling around Anchorage is still possible, but prices are much lower.
– Morning vs. afternoon
July is usually the hottest month of the year in Alaska. So, you should go fishing in the morning if you are planning fishing adventures for July. Water cools down in the morning and the ideal conditions for fishing are created. It would be better to go fishing in the afternoon during cooler months. The water heats up during the day and fish becomes active in the afternoon.
Also, afternoon fishing trips give anglers an opportunity to sleep well in the morning. You don’t need to wake up early if you are planning to go fishing in the afternoon.
-1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
When booking a fishing trip, you have to decide how long a fishing trip has to last. Fishing trips in Alaska are offered by air taxi operators. Anglers can book half-day, full-day, and even multi-day charters.
Half-day fishing trips are cheap, but anglers can only spend 1/2 of a day on fishing. So, they will fish either in the morning or in the evening.
A full-day trip is more expensive than a 1/2 day fishing trip. However, one-day trips give anglers more fishing time.
Explore your options carefully and pick a fishing trip that’s more to your liking. If a full-day trip is not enough and you want to spend more time fishing, then consider multi-day charters. Such trips allow anglers to get the most out of fishing around Anchorage. However, multi-day charters are the most expensive fishing option.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Kenai, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish in the Kasilof River, please check out this helpful guide.
