The Last Frontier is a land of many wonders, and the native Trout and vast roadless areas where they live are just some of them. It’s a wilderness paradise where both Trout and bears feed on Salmon together. If there’s something that should be on every angler’s bucket list, Trout fishing in Alaska is it.
Why Go Trout Fishing in Alaska
The wild nature of Alaska makes it unique for anglers and visitors in general. Only Kamchatka in Russia and a few other places compare in terms of wildlife, remoteness, and Trout fishing. For fishing specifically, sharing a gravel bar with a brown bear that’s chasing Salmon while you drift beads for Trout is just something you can’t replicate.
Although a large chunk of the fishing is accessed via float plane, jet boat, and even helicopter, some areas are also road accessible. Even the road access crosses through remote and wild places where wildlife encounters are a daily occurrence.
If you want to get excited about Alaska, watch some videos and get a feel for the fishing and environment. I’ve spent a few summers guiding in the bush, and there are few places more special than the state of Alaska.
Top Trout Species in Alaska
In terms of species, Trout in Alaska are not like in most other states in the US – or even Canadian provinces. In many places, there’s a combination of native and introduced Trout species. Finding Brown Trout from Europe alongside Rainbow Trout from California in the Colorado River is the norm, for example.
Non-natives don’t compete with native species in Alaska. The primary species of concern is the Rainbow Trout, and they can reach exceptional sizes! In some places, Rainbow Trout are somewhat stationary while in others, they migrate great distances. Steelhead are also present, especially in southwest Alaska and Kodiak Island.
Lastly, Alaska is also home to native Cutthroat Trout. They aren’t targeted as much as other species and are often more incidental when caught. But, as everywhere, they’re more than a happy accident!
The logistics for an Alaska fishing trip aren’t easy but the effort can pay off with a trip you’ll never forget. Some of the most impressive and acrobatic Rainbow Trout I’ve encountered were in Alaska, and I’m always plotting ways to get back.
How to Go Trout Fishing in Alaska
Alaska isn’t your average fishing trip. While anglers can road trip through some of the state, travel is more common by plane and watercraft. Figuring out the logistics, packing appropriately, and having a game plan is critical when fishing remote locations.
Travel Logistics
If you don’t already live in Alaska, getting there is the first hurdle. Plenty of flights are available to reach Anchorage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Fairbanks, Sitka, and a few other destinations. Anglers can rent vehicles and find fishing convenient to these destinations.
But the best fishing is typically another boat or plane ride away from your first stop. A few extra flights aren’t uncommon either! It’s difficult to wing a trip to remote places, so you’ll need to make travel and lodging arrangements well in advance. Using outfitters is common but you can also DIY Alaska fishing trips with some advance planning.
Fly Fishing for Trout
Flies are very effective for Rainbow Trout in Alaska because they eat eggs, flesh, and mice for a large portion of their caloric intake. Beads are perfect for imitating eggs, while flesh flies are very easy to tie. The other reason for using flies is the ability to get past other species. Alaska’s rivers are often full of Salmon, Grayling, and other species, too. Targeting specific feeding lanes that are most likely to hold Trout is very effective when fly fishing here.
Rigging Gear for Trout in Alaska
Casting spoons is the go-to method of fishing rivers for many Alaskans and visiting anglers. It works well for Rainbow Trout but you might have a hard time not hooking Salmon and other fish when the action is hot. Back trolling in rivers with spoons is also a great approach. The other preferred method is bouncing eggs and egg sacks on the bottom. Rainbows feed voraciously on eggs and the real thing is hard to beat.
Where to Go Trout Fishing in Alaska
The most difficult decision to make when considering Trout fishing in Alaska is settling on a location. It’s a huge state with so many options, it can seem overwhelming. Ideally, you should plan a few trips and visit more than one location. Being a seasonal destination, this might require years, so it’s a good idea to start planning a good year in advance.
Southeast Alaska
This region is rugged, coastal, and much of the terrain is difficult to access. That’s what makes Southeast Alaska so appealing for anglers. Steelhead return to rivers only accessible by sea-worthy watercraft, while Salmon dodge whales beneath towering glaciers. It’s truly unique.
The islands are a major attraction in the southeast, and Prince of Wales is a favorite for Trout fishing. Sitka is also an island-based community with a large landmass to explore and fish. On the coastal side, Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Juneau are among the most popular destinations, and they all have great fishing. The region is water-rich and anglers will find Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout in many rivers and lakes.
Bristol Bay
Considered the pinnacle of Alaska Trout fishing by many, Bristol Bay is expansive, wild, and full of big Trout. It receives a massive Sockeye Salmon run that feeds the earth and the Rainbow Trout. King Salmon – yes, that’s the name of the place – is the hub for the region, and it’s home to many fly-out lodges that explore remote rivers by plane and jet boat.
The Kvichak River is another major destination but there are also endless names of rivers and lakes throughout the area. Brooks Falls is famous for bear viewing, and you can actually fish below the falls. Big resident and migratory Rainbows are common, and they feed on salmon eggs and salmon flesh, and are opportunistic for mice and other food sources.
Aleutian Islands
The history of one of the most remote places in the US is unique, and the fishing here is great. But this comes with many challenges. Not only will you face strong winds when casting, but the logistics to reach these rivers are far from straightforward.
The only battle fought on US soil in World War Two happened on these islands and the terrain is as formidable now as it was then. Steelhead are a major attraction in the islands but anglers will also find some great resident Rainbow Trout throughout the range.
Kodiak Island
Known for big bears and big fish, Kodiak Island is vast, boasting great hunting and extremely remote places to explore. The Steelhead fishing is excellent here, with world-class action during their runs. Resident Rainbow Trout are also present in solid numbersm and they feed on salmon runs in the many coastal river systems. From remote float trips to jet boat runs, Kodiak Island has it all.
Kenai Peninsula and Denali Zone
I’m grouping these together because both are road-accessible. You can make the long drive from the lower 48 states or fly to Anchorage and rent a vehicle. Book ahead because summer is a busy season in both areas. The Kenai River is famous for having huge Rainbow Trout, and it also sees a September Silver Salmon run. It’s ideal for a late summer or early fall trip, but the river fishes well through the entire summer.
Denali National Park is also a popular destination, where anglers can find a pile of rivers and lakes in the general area. Fishing for Rainbow Trout, Grayling, Dolly Varden, and Salmon is popular here. I guided trips at a fly-in lodge in a roadless area of the Denali area. Seeing the Alaska Range every day and catching Trout and Salmon in wild country was truly amazing!
Trout Fishing Seasons in Alaska
While you might catch Trout in the early spring and late fall months, Trout fishing in Alaska is mainly a summer game. That being said, the Kenai River even offers up winter fishing in mild years!
Plan your fishing trip for June, July, and August when the weather is best. The days are long and you can literally fish into the night. My first King Salmon in Alaska was caught just before midnight and it was still light outside!
September and October also offer some incredible Trout fishing. The pre-winter timing brings some of the largest migratory Rainbow Trout to hand for dedicated anglers, but the weather can turn sour with snow, rain, and cold. Flights are more difficult to time with weather but the summer travelers are long gone, so you can chase monsters in solitude.
Alaska Trout Fishing Regulations
To go Trout fishing in Alaska, every angler needs a fishing license. The remote nature of the fishing doesn’t mean anglers are exempt from laws! I’ve seen game wardens use far-off landing strips to reach remote places for simple license checks. Make sure to get your permit!
For Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout specifically, anglers can keep two fish daily and have two in possession, with a slot limit of 11–22 inches. A limit of one Steelhead per day and two in possession also exists. You can only keep two Steelheads per year, however, and they must be 36 inches or longer. I suggest you release these special fish whenever you come across them.
While these are the general limits, special regulations are sometimes implemented on specific waterways. Salmon are far more regulated than Trout in Alaska, but anglers should always reference the regulations before going fishing.
Alaska Trout Fishing FAQs
Alaska: Your Dream Trout Fishing Destination
There’s no other US destination as wild and remote as Alaska. If you want to experience some of the best Trout fishing on the planet in a place where bears, wolves, and bald eagles are your neighbors, Alaska is the place for you. One taste of the wilderness in this state and you’ll be planning the next trip before leaving! What are you waiting for? Start planning your getaway to the Last Frontier!
Have you ever caught a wild Trout in Alaska’s waters? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
