Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage 

4.3
(105 reviews)
 Knik River Access, Palmer, AK 99645, United States–

Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage 

Palmer, AK, United States
–
22 ft
6
4.3
(105 reviews)

Book the Alaska Fishing Trip You’ll Talk About for Years
At Fisherman’s Choice Charters, we know where the fish are — and what they’re biting. With over 35 years of experience, Fisherman’s Choice Charters and our Coast Guard licensed crews know Alaska’s rivers, best fishing hot spots, and the river routes that get you there safely, your adventure starts with unmatched local knowledge.
Whether you’re chasing trophy salmon, trophy trout, or the thrill of your first big catch, we work hard to put you where the action is. We provide quality fishing gear, proven bait, and effective lures so you can focus on the excitement of fishing Alaska’s legendary waters.
From seasoned anglers to families on their first Alaska fishing trip, we make every outing fun, safe, comfortable, and memorable. Our guides offer friendly, one-on-one instructions and create an experience everyone can enjoy.
Your trip is more than fishing. Along Alaska’s scenic backcountry rivers, you may see moose, bald eagles, beavers, otters, and even an occasional brown bear — so don’t forget your camera.
At Fisherman’s Choice Charters, we’re flexible, accommodating, and committed to making your trip special. Because in Alaska, a great fishing trip is more than the fishing trip, it’s the scenery, the stories, and the memories that last a lifetime.
Check out our other listings if the dates on this listing aren't available: Voted Top Salmon Fishing Charter or Salmon Fishing Charter Featured on ESPN.

FYI-Late May–mid July we target king salmon. Mid-July–the end of season we target coho, sockeye, chum and pink (meeting 30-90 min north of Anchorage) After the 3rd week of August, (meeting 30 min- 2 hours north of Anchorage) many salmon are spawning or have spawned; they stop feeding and their bodies break down leaving their meat less than desirable. Guests should expect more catch-and-release at this time. Location shown is also TBD and can change up to the day before your trip. Notification email will be sent.

Book the Alaska Fishing Trip You’ll Talk About for Years
At Fisherman’s Choice Charters, we know where the fish are — and what they’re biting. With over 35 years of experience, Fisherman’s Choice Charters and our Coast Guard licensed crews know Alaska’s rivers, best fishing hot spots, and the river routes that get you there safely, your adventure starts with unmatched local knowledge.
Whether you’re chasing trophy salmon, trophy trout, or the thrill of your first big catch, we work hard to put you where the action is. We provide quality fishing gear, proven bait, and effective lures so you can focus on the excitement of fishing Alaska’s legendary waters.
From seasoned anglers to families on their first Alaska fishing trip, we make every outing fun, safe, comfortable, and memorable. Our guides offer friendly, one-on-one instructions and create an experience everyone can enjoy.
Your trip is more than fishing. Along Alaska’s scenic backcountry rivers, you may see moose, bald eagles, beavers, otters, and even an occasional brown bear — so don’t forget your camera.
At Fisherman’s Choice Charters, we’re flexible, accommodating, and committed to making your trip special. Because in Alaska, a great fishing trip is more than the fishing trip, it’s the scenery, the stories, and the memories that last a lifetime.
Check out our other listings if the dates on this listing aren't available: Voted Top Salmon Fishing Charter or Salmon Fishing Charter Featured on ESPN.

FYI-Late May–mid July we target king salmon. Mid-July–the end of season we target coho, sockeye, chum and pink (meeting 30-90 min north of Anchorage) After the 3rd week of August, (meeting 30 min- 2 hours north of Anchorage) many salmon are spawning or have spawned; they stop feeding and their bodies break down leaving their meat less than desirable. Guests should expect more catch-and-release at this time. Location shown is also TBD and can change up to the day before your trip. Notification email will be sent.

Fisherman's Choice Charters
Charter Operator
Fisherman's Choice Charters
40 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
October 2026
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 4:30 AM
Seasonal trip
May 24 - Aug 31
Salmon
Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)
Salmon (Sockeye)
+1
US $270
Shared tour: 2 people
Last Call for Salmon! Shared trip
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Sep 9
Salmon
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Coho)
Grayling (Arctic)
US $270
Shared tour: 2 people
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 10:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 21 - Aug 31
Salmon
Salmon (Coho)
Salmon (Sockeye)
Salmon (Chum)
US $270
Shared tour: 2 people
Private ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM 5 hrs
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 4:30 AM
Seasonal trip
May 21 - Aug 31
Salmon
Salmon (Coho)
Salmon (Sockeye)
Salmon (Chum)
US $750
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Last Call for Salmon! Private Trip
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Sep 9
Salmon
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Coho)
Grayling (Arctic)
US $750
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs
Non-refundable
5 hour trip starts at 10:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 21 - Aug 31
US $750
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.3
105 reviews
4.5
Boat & equipment
4.3
Captain & crew
4.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (57)

What anglers say

60%
Great experience
81%
Family friendly
92%
Friendly captain
92%
Good boat
72%
Recommended
53%
Caught fish

Reviews (105)

  • Nathan Martin
    Nathan Martin
    us
    New Mexico, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    Top-Notch Guide with Incredible Patience

    ½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 1, 2026 • 1 adult

    Captain Ray was fantastic. Even though the fish did not cooperate for us that day, he worked hard from start to finish to give us every opportunity to hook one. You could tell he genuinely wanted everyone on the boat to succeed. What impressed me the most was his patience. We had some very young, pretty restless kids on board, and he never got frustrated or let it affect the trip. He stayed calm, encouraging, and made sure everyone had a good experience. He was also great to talk with and shared a lot of local knowledge. One of the highlights was seeing bald eagles perched up in the cottonwoods along the river. It was an awesome bonus to an already memorable trip. You cannot control whether the fish bite, but you can control the effort and experience, and Captain Ray knocked both out of the park. I would absolutely book with him again.

  • Karen Hauser
    Karen Hauser
    us
    Wisconsin, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    Good trip

    ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on June 9, 2026 • 2 adults

    The only reason this wasn’t a great trip was due to the weather. We were out on a cold, rainy day. Our captain was Terry, and he did everything in his power to make our trip a great experience. We were really thankful for the canopy on the boat, especially when no one else fishing had one! With about 20 minutes left in our trip, my son caught a king salmon. Terry was so excited for him and made the experience truly exciting. He was a great captain and a lot of fun.

  • Maria Santos Coy
    Maria Santos Coy
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Brian is an outstanding fishing guide!

    Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs on August 20, 2026 • 5 adults

    We had a great day in the Kinik River. Brian was a fantastic guide. My husband caught a tiny fish, but the most important part was being in the river surrounded by mountains and trees. Weather was perfect! Would def do it again.

  • Thomas Russell
    Thomas Russell
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    Great trip even though no fish

    ½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 16, 2026 • 3 adults

    Salmon fishing was down this year so not totally surprised we didn’t get any. Captain Brian did a great job trying to get us on the fish and I enjoyed our conversation and trip. Weather was perfect fortunately.

  • Todd Armstrong
    Todd Armstrong
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Jeremy was the best!

    ½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 16, 2025 • 2 adults

    This fishing expedition was a wonderful experience for husband and I. We, along with a couple from Texas, fished the Knik River while Jeremy entertained us with yarns and jokes! The weather started out misty at our departure time of 10:30 a.m., but the skies broke and we enjoyed beautiful sunshine for the rest of our time. We only caught a couple of silver salmon (made for a great husband/wife competition of whose was larger!) and Jeremy cleaned, fileted, and packaged them up for us to take. This was a Bucket List check for a true Alaskan Adventure!

  • Dan Green
    Dan Green
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Experience!

    ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on July 27, 2025 • 3 adults

    We added a early morning trip in the Knik River with Ray a week before our scheduled trip. They made the booking and scheduling very easy and never would have thought we would get on a boat at the last minute during the busy season. Ray put us on Silvers all morning and knows these rivers better than most. This was the first salmon trip for my teenage daughter and wife and Ray walked through exactly what to do to hookup. Will absolutely be back for another trip with them for Coho and need to give these Kings a go too of course. Dan, Wendy and Brynne San Antonio, TX

  • Andriy Levchenko
    Andriy Levchenko
    us
    Washington, US
    Member since 2026
    4.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Fishing

    Private ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM 5 hrs on July 8, 2026 • 2 adults
  • Terrence Mcintosh
    Terrence Mcintosh
    Repeat angler
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2023
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Best fishing trip

    ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 16, 2025 • 1 adult

    Worse thing I can say about this fishing trip was that there were no Starbucks open at 430am in route to Knik. Jeremy was a great boat captain and he had the right demeanor and attitude. I honestly wished I had fished with him both days instead of go to Kenai the day before. Great trip caught three but only keep 2. The motor blade saved one of the fish.

  • Christina De Los Santos
    Christina De Los Santos
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2025
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Had a GREAT time!!

    ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 24, 2025 • 1 adult

    Captain Jeremy was FANTASTIC!! Love the way he took time to teach us so much about Salmon fishing. This was my first time so it was all very helpful. I would definitely do this trip again. Thanks Jeremy for making our trip so enjoyable!!!! Loved having Stormy in board as well. 😁🎣

  • Heath Ahrens
    Heath Ahrens
    us
    Nebraska, US
    Member since 2026
    3.7
    Verified

    Silver Salmon Knik River

    Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs on July 29, 2026 • 6 adults • 1 child

    We caught one silver salmon on a 5 hour trip. The Captain worked at it, but after talking to them it wasn’t the best place to spend the money to try ans catch fish. It was a good area to vist but just not to fish.

Rating

4.3
105 reviews
4.5
Boat & equipment
4.3
Captain & crew
4.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (57)

What anglers say

60%
Great experience
81%
Family friendly
92%
Friendly captain
92%
Good boat
72%
Recommended
53%
Caught fish

All reviews (105)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 1 – 5 of 105 reviews
Nathan Martin
Nathan Martin
us
New Mexico, US
Member since 2026
4.7
Verified
Top-Notch Guide with Incredible Patience
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on August 1, 2026 • 1 adult

Captain Ray was fantastic. Even though the fish did not cooperate for us that day, he worked hard from start to finish to give us every opportunity to hook one. You could tell he genuinely wanted everyone on the boat to succeed. What impressed me the most was his patience. We had some very young, pretty restless kids on board, and he never got frustrated or let it affect the trip. He stayed calm, encouraging, and made sure everyone had a good experience. He was also great to talk with and shared a lot of local knowledge. One of the highlights was seeing bald eagles perched up in the cottonwoods along the river. It was an awesome bonus to an already memorable trip. You cannot control whether the fish bite, but you can control the effort and experience, and Captain Ray knocked both out of the park. I would absolutely book with him again.

Fisherman's Choice Charters
Response from Charter operator

Nathan, thank you so much for the wonderful review. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Some days the fish make us work harder than others, but my goal is always to give everyone the best opportunity possible and make sure the trip is enjoyable from start to finish. It was a pleasure having you on the boat, and I’m glad the day was still memorable even with the slower bite. I also appreciate you mentioning the patience shown with the young kids from the other group on board. Making sure everyone has a good experience, no matter their age or fishing experience, is always important to me. I’m glad you got to enjoy the bald eagles along the river too — those moments are always something special. Thank you again for booking with me and for the kind words. I’d be happy to fish with you again anytime. — Captain Ray

Karen Hauser
Karen Hauser
us
Wisconsin, US
Member since 2026
4.7
Verified
Good trip
½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on June 9, 2026 • 2 adults

The only reason this wasn’t a great trip was due to the weather. We were out on a cold, rainy day. Our captain was Terry, and he did everything in his power to make our trip a great experience. We were really thankful for the canopy on the boat, especially when no one else fishing had one! With about 20 minutes left in our trip, my son caught a king salmon. Terry was so excited for him and made the experience truly exciting. He was a great captain and a lot of fun.

Reported catch:
Salmon
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Response from Charter operator

“Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re sorry the weather didn’t cooperate, but we’re so glad Captain Terry was able to make the most of the day and help create such a memorable experience for you and your son. Catching a king salmon at the end sounds like an incredible moment, and we love hearing that Terry made it even more exciting. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back on a sunnier day!”

Maria Santos Coy
Maria Santos Coy
us
California, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Brian is an outstanding fishing guide!
Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs on August 20, 2026 • 5 adults

We had a great day in the Kinik River. Brian was a fantastic guide. My husband caught a tiny fish, but the most important part was being in the river surrounded by mountains and trees. Weather was perfect! Would def do it again.

Fisherman's Choice Charters
Response from Charter operator

Maria, Thank you for the outstanding review and for spending a beautiful day on the Knik River with us. We’re glad you enjoyed the scenery and the time on the water — that’s what makes Alaska special. Brian appreciates the kind words and was happy to guide you both, tiny fish and all. Perfect weather and great company make for a memorable trip, and we’re thrilled it hit the mark for you. We’d be glad to have you back anytime.

Jeremy Ostedt
Jeremy Ostedt
us
Wisconsin, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Excellent Trip!
Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs on August 12, 2026 • 5 adults • 1 child

Brian did a great job! He was very informative for our novice group. He tried hard to help us catch fish. In the end we were only able to land one. We enjoyed our time on the river and would recommend this trip to anyone.

Reported catch:
Coho Salmon
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Response from Charter operator

Jeremy, Thank you for the excellent feedback. We’re thrilled to hear your group had a great trip with Brian. He works hard to make sure every guest—novice or experienced—gets the most out of their time on the water. Even on slower days, the goal is always a fun, informative experience, and we’re glad that came through. We appreciate the recommendation and look forward to fishing with you again.

Jeff Helmig
Jeff Helmig
us
North Carolina, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Great trip
Private ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM 5 hrs on July 30, 2026 • 4 adults

Beautiful scenery, great Captain (Ray). Didn’t catch fish this time, but Ray worked hard in the search and was very knowledgeable of the local area. Will book again

Fisherman's Choice Charters
Response from Charter operator

Thank you so much, Jeff! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure having you out on the water, and while the fish didn’t cooperate this time, I’m glad you enjoyed the scenery and the trip. I truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to fishing with you again soon.

FAQs about Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage

Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $135 per person - ½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs (5 hours)
  • US $135 per person - ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs (5 hours)
  • US $135 per person - Last Call for Salmon! Shared trip (5 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Last Call for Salmon! Private Trip (5 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Private ½ Day Trip @ 10 AM 5 hrs (5 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Private ½ Day Trip @ 430 AM 5 hrs (5 hours)
Trips booked with Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage offers the following type of fishing:
  • River fishing
Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage include:
  • Salmon
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Chum)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Salmon (Sockeye)

Your operator

Fisherman's Choice Charters
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Palmer, Alaska, United States
188 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
331 Customer reviews
Typical response within 1 hour
Member since June 2024
Started in the fishing business back in 1986, came to Alaska in 2004 and became a co-owner of a fishing business that was established in 1989. In 2014, Captain Ray acquired the business and has been running it successfully since.
Our Team
Capt Ray B.
Capt Ray B.
Captain
Capt Doug L.
Capt Doug L.
Captain
Terri S.
Terri S.
Business partner
Dee Dee B.
Dee Dee B.
First mate
Roger & Ziggy S.
Roger & Ziggy S.
First mate
Tony B.
Tony B.
First mate
Capt Brian Y.
Capt Brian Y.
Captain
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Fully verified
188
reports
331
reviews
2024
member since
~2h
response
Started in the fishing business back in 1986, came to Alaska in 2004 and became a co-owner of a fishing business that was established in 1989. In 2014, Captain Ray acquired the business and has been running it successfully since.
The crew
Capt Ray B.
Capt Ray B.
Captain
Capt Doug L.
Capt Doug L.
Captain
Terri S.
Terri S.
Business partner
Dee Dee B.
Dee Dee B.
First mate
Roger & Ziggy S.
Roger & Ziggy S.
First mate
Tony B.
Tony B.
First mate
Capt Brian Y.
Capt Brian Y.
Captain

The fish you can target

Salmon
Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Chum Salmon
Chum Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
Salmon
Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Chum Salmon
Chum Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon

Real catches by this captain

  • Silver Salmon Knik River
    Heath A.
    Heath A.
  • Fishing with Fishing
    Andriy L.
    Andriy L.
  • Had a great trip!
    Joseph G.
    Joseph G.
  • Good trip
    Karen H.
    Karen H.
  • Had a GREAT time!!
    Christina D.
    Christina D.
  • Best fishing trip
    Terrence M.
    Terrence M.
  • Jeremy was the best!
    Todd A.
    Todd A.
  • Great Fishing Day
    Anthony S.
    Anthony S.
  • What is our limit?!
    Ryan E.
    Ryan E.
  • Great experience!
    Nick M.
    Nick M.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
22 ft
Year built
2009
Boat manufacturer
Greatland
Boat type
Aluminum fishing
Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 140HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable
If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
You keep catch

How you can pay

Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 30% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express

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Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage
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4.3
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22 ft
Group size 2 - 6
2 - 6
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+3
5 hour trip • 6 persons
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