Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage
4.6/5 (60 reviews)
Knik River Access, Wasilla, AK 99645, United States–
Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage
4.6/5 (60 reviews)
Knik River Access
Wasilla, AK, United States
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Our Charter service has been voted "Best Fishing Charter Service" for 24 years. Featured on ESPN, we contribute to the local fishing derbies, and we are a big supporter of the veterans and all emergency & first responders.
In early May we start fishing the Knik River for King Salmon. The Knik River is the only river in Alaska’s Matanuska Valley that allows the use of Salmon eggs for bait during King Salmon season. During different seasons we meet at multiple locations based on fishing conditions & regulations. From 35 min - 2 hours north of Anchorage.
►►Please keep in mind that the location for the meeting point can change up to the day prior to your fishing trip.
Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! You'll be fishing aboard a 24' Sea Ark Aluminum fishing skiff with space for 6 passengers. No need to bring any equipment. Each fishing charter comes fully equipped with everything you need. So the only thing you’ll have to bring is your fishing license (a King Salmon stamp is also needed when fishing through mid-July), food & drink. Also, filleting your fish is included and your guide will put it in bags for you to take home or to a processor for packaging and shipping.
We suggest bringing sunscreen, a camera, a hat, sunglasses, drinks, and food.
Parents and Guardians are Responsible for watching over their children.
For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, please remember that you are responsible for your children during your trip. Guides are here to inform and assist, but they cannot supervise or care for your children. Please ensure they follow the rules. Thank you for helping us make this a safe and pleasant experience for all!
If you cannot find a date here, check out our other listings "River Fishing Near Anchorage" or "Salmon fishing north Anchorage"
Rating
4.6
60 reviews
5
44
4
11
3
1
2
3
1
0
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.6
Captain & crew
4.4
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (40)
+34
What anglers say
82%
Recommended
69%
Caught fish
All reviews (60)
Filter
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Sort by: Featured
Featured
Showing 1 – 5 of 60 reviews
Todd Armstrong
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!
Response from Captain
August 28, 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience on the Knik River! We're thrilled to hear that you and your husband had such a memorable adventure, and that Jeremy helped make the day extra special with his stories and humor. It's great that the weather turned in your favor and you were able to enjoy some sunshine while reeling in those silver salmon—what a fun competition! We're glad Jeremy could help with the cleaning and packaging to make sure you brought home a delicious reminder of your trip. Thank you for making us part of your Bucket List Alaskan adventure. We hope to see you both again for another unforgettable day on the river!
0
Dan Green
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
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 28, 2025
Thank you so much for your incredible 5-star review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you, your wife and your daughter had such a memorable experience, especially celebrating your daughter’s first salmon catch here in Alaska. Moments like these are what make adventures truly special, and we’re honored to have been part of your family’s milestone. Wishing you many more exciting journeys and unforgettable catches in the future. We hope to welcome you back for more Alaska memories soon!
0
Clayton Tripp
5.0
Verified
Had a great time
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on July 21, 2025 • 2 adults
Captain Ray was great, really went out of his way to make sure that everybody was able to get fishing. This is a good experience for new anglers, my wife had never been fishing before and had a great time, she even caught the first fish of the morning! We had some scheduling issues for the day of our trip and were able to re-book for the earlier launch time with no problem, very helpful. Good equipment provided. Would recommend.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 25, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind five-star review! We’re thrilled to hear that your wife’s first catch with Captain Ray on the Knik River may have started a trend…. a moment that will surely be cherished for years to come! Experiences like these are what make days on the river so memorable.
Captain Ray takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and passion for fishing, and it means the world to us that you enjoyed your trip with him. We hope your adventure on the water inspires many more fishing stories in the future.
Thank you again for choosing us for your fishing excursion while in Alaska. We look forward to welcoming you both back for another unforgettable day on the river!
0
Diana Woodward
5.0
Verified
This guy knows his stuff
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on July 27, 2025 • 4 adults
Ray was fantastic. He know the area so well and also seems to know just about everyone else on the water. Amazing outdoorsman and great story teller. But don’t be fooled - when there’s a fish on that’s the only thing that matters so pay attention! Bc he’s going to keep everyone safe and get that fish in the net. You can tell he loves this so much. I kind of want to be ray when I grow up.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 29, 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience with Captain Ray on the Knik River. His deep knowledge of the local waters and passion for fishing truly set him apart, and we’re delighted that you appreciated his expertise. When a fish is on the line, Captain Ray’s focus and determination are legendary—he always makes sure every moment counts!
It’s wonderful guests like you who make what we do so rewarding. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures (and more great catches) with Captain Ray in the future!
0
Terrence Mcintosh
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.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
August 17, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review, Terrence! We’re honored that you chose to fish with us for a second time. It’s fantastic to hear you had such a positive experience with Captain Jeremy—we’ll be sure to share your compliments with him. We agree, his attitude and expertise truly make a difference out on the water. While the early-morning Starbucks was out of reach, we’re delighted the rest of your trip was memorable. Congratulations on your catches, and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure—hopefully with a coffee in hand!
1
Trip availability and prices
Trip Date:
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March 2026
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½ Day Trip @ 430 AM (Shared) 5 hrs
Non-refundable
5 Hour Trip
starts at 4:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 1 - Aug 31
US $320
Shared tour: 2 people
US $320
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
US $320
Shared tour: 2 people
US $320
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
US $875
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $875
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 $875
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $875
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 10 people looking at this charter.
Rating
4.6
60 reviews
5
44
4
11
3
1
2
3
1
0
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.6
Captain & crew
4.4
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (40)
+34
What anglers say
82%
Recommended
69%
Caught fish
All reviews (60)
Filter
Filter
Sort by: Featured
Featured
Showing 1 – 5 of 60 reviews
Todd Armstrong
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!
Response from Captain
August 28, 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience on the Knik River! We're thrilled to hear that you and your husband had such a memorable adventure, and that Jeremy helped make the day extra special with his stories and humor. It's great that the weather turned in your favor and you were able to enjoy some sunshine while reeling in those silver salmon—what a fun competition! We're glad Jeremy could help with the cleaning and packaging to make sure you brought home a delicious reminder of your trip. Thank you for making us part of your Bucket List Alaskan adventure. We hope to see you both again for another unforgettable day on the river!
0
Dan Green
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
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 28, 2025
Thank you so much for your incredible 5-star review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you, your wife and your daughter had such a memorable experience, especially celebrating your daughter’s first salmon catch here in Alaska. Moments like these are what make adventures truly special, and we’re honored to have been part of your family’s milestone. Wishing you many more exciting journeys and unforgettable catches in the future. We hope to welcome you back for more Alaska memories soon!
0
Clayton Tripp
5.0
Verified
Had a great time
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on July 21, 2025 • 2 adults
Captain Ray was great, really went out of his way to make sure that everybody was able to get fishing. This is a good experience for new anglers, my wife had never been fishing before and had a great time, she even caught the first fish of the morning! We had some scheduling issues for the day of our trip and were able to re-book for the earlier launch time with no problem, very helpful. Good equipment provided. Would recommend.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 25, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind five-star review! We’re thrilled to hear that your wife’s first catch with Captain Ray on the Knik River may have started a trend…. a moment that will surely be cherished for years to come! Experiences like these are what make days on the river so memorable.
Captain Ray takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and passion for fishing, and it means the world to us that you enjoyed your trip with him. We hope your adventure on the water inspires many more fishing stories in the future.
Thank you again for choosing us for your fishing excursion while in Alaska. We look forward to welcoming you both back for another unforgettable day on the river!
0
Diana Woodward
5.0
Verified
This guy knows his stuff
½ day trip @ 10 AM (Shared) 5 hrs on July 27, 2025 • 4 adults
Ray was fantastic. He know the area so well and also seems to know just about everyone else on the water. Amazing outdoorsman and great story teller. But don’t be fooled - when there’s a fish on that’s the only thing that matters so pay attention! Bc he’s going to keep everyone safe and get that fish in the net. You can tell he loves this so much. I kind of want to be ray when I grow up.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 29, 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear you had such a memorable experience with Captain Ray on the Knik River. His deep knowledge of the local waters and passion for fishing truly set him apart, and we’re delighted that you appreciated his expertise. When a fish is on the line, Captain Ray’s focus and determination are legendary—he always makes sure every moment counts!
It’s wonderful guests like you who make what we do so rewarding. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures (and more great catches) with Captain Ray in the future!
0
Terrence Mcintosh
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.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
August 17, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review, Terrence! We’re honored that you chose to fish with us for a second time. It’s fantastic to hear you had such a positive experience with Captain Jeremy—we’ll be sure to share your compliments with him. We agree, his attitude and expertise truly make a difference out on the water. While the early-morning Starbucks was out of reach, we’re delighted the rest of your trip was memorable. Congratulations on your catches, and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure—hopefully with a coffee in hand!
1
FAQs about Best Salmon Fishing near Anchorage
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boatsCapacity
6 personsBoat length
22 ftYear built
2009Boat manufacturer
GreatlandBoat type
Aluminum fishingEngine model
SuzukiPowered by
1 x 140HPMax cruising speed
30 knots