Guide to Alaska Salmon Fishing Trips

Alaska's salmon fishing is still very popular even while the returns of it's most prized fish in in jeopardy.

Alaska King Salmon

King salmon, also called Chinooks, become the largest of all species, making them highly sought after by fishermen.  A seven year-old king salmon may weigh upwards of 50 pounds when mature.  Most kings spend a year in freshwater after hatching, and then between one to five years feeding in the ocean.  They typically run early, between May and July. 
In the summers of 2012 through 2016, a number of the popular rivers with typically abundant king salmon runs were closed mid-season due to a large decrease in the numbers of returning King salmon.  The reason for this decline remains unknown. Silver and Red salmon fishing has actually been better than past years.

Alaska Coho Salmon

Silver or Coho salmon are the second largest of the five species. Silvers are a popular choice when it comes to consumption. Like a few of the other species, silvers turn from their silver ocean color to a red coloring when they run. A number of chemical reactions upon hitting freshwater are responsible for this metamorphosis. Silvers spawn late compared to kings, returning to the rivers between July and October with August and September being very popular months for fishing Silver Salmon in Alaska's rivers and streams.

Alaska Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon are also known as reds. Like silvers, they are loved by people for their delicious meat. Also like silver salmon they turn a deep red color when returning to freshwater. Most spawn between June and July.

Alaska Chum Salmon

Chum salmon are also sometimes referred to as dog salmon. Some suggest that the nickname dog salmon arose because of the large teeth that protrude during the fish's spawning state. Others suggest that the name evolved because the salmon are often fed to dogs rather than eaten by humans. They aren't an Alaskan fisherman's ideal catch to say the least. Nonetheless, chum salmon occupy the largest range of all five species. When spawning their body metamorphizes into a colorful striped pattern. They spawn from June until early September.

Alaska Pink Salmon

Pink salmon, the fifth species, is also referred to as humpy salmon. Pinks are the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. In their spawning state, pinks develop a humped back, explaining their nickname humpy salmon. Pinks have a short life span of just two years. They spawn from June until September.