Whether you’re a tourist from a cruise or a sports angler, mixing sight-seeing and fishing in Juneau Alaska is a must.

The geography around Juneau is composed of steep mountains, coniferous forests with nearby islands all part of the Southeastern archipelagos. Taking a chartered fishing boat in Juneau is an ideal way to experience the natural beauty of the area while doing some Southeast Alaska fishing. The local captain can give you insight of the availability of different salmon species depending on the calendar.

The Juneau salmon fishing season is between mid-May to September. The most preferred and number one target species is the king (chinook) salmon. The peak season for fishing the chinook salmon in Juneau is late May into June. The coho salmon runs a close second to the king salmon in popularity. The height of their season is late August to early September. The sockeye salmon is another popular fish as when fresh, it’s the most flavorful salmon. You can find the sockeye at it’s peak season in Juneau in July. The pink salmon or humpback (humpies) are the backbone of the commercial fishing industry in Alaska. This species is great for canning and are available in mid-July through August. The chum salmon is great if you just want to enjoy the experience of fishing. They are not particularly sought after fish but are good for smoking.

Another fish species that Southeast Alaska is known for is the halibut due to their gargantuan size of up to 200 pounds or more so get your big game fishing rods ready. The Juneau fishing season for halibut is June to September and is plenty stable throughout.

The catch rate for salmon and halibut fishing for Juneau for varies from year to year. For a tourist that’s visiting and has heard about the wonders of Southeast Alaska fishing, getting a chartered boat really is the way to go. Not only is it safer to get a U.S. Coast Guard licensed boat, an experienced captain will be knowledgeable on where the fish are and will do his utmost to help you catch fish.

So what are you waiting for? Get a group of friends together and hire a boat to marvel at the beauty of Juneau Alaska and enjoy the Southeast Alaska fishing season!

The waters around Juneau hold many species of salmon which include king salmon, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon and chum salmon. Anglers can target a specific species but the king salmon (chinook salmon) is generally considered the main prize. Halibut and coho are also sought after and are very popular with the fishermen.

In order to fish in Juneau, you will require a State of Alaska fishing license. Since Juneau has a huge tourist industry closely followed by the fishing industry, fishing licenses are quite easily obtainable through any major retail outlet. You can also obtain a license from the captain of your charter boat. Due to the rain and unpredictable weather of Juneau, for safety reasons, it is best to hire reputable charter fishing boats. Seasoned skippers will impart information on the scenery, offer advice to beginners for baitcasting, give you the best chances of success in catching fish, and will provide you with answers to questions about the surrounding area and town that only a local would know. With these factors, hiring a Coast Guard inspected boat and a Coat Guard licensed captain is highly recommended.

The Southeast Alaska salmon fishing season starts in mid-May and ends in September. The recommended time to target king salmon and halibut fishing in Juneau would be the first week and second week of June. Mid to late July offers a good mix of species for those anglers who don’t care what they catch but just something!

After the fishing trip, you’ll hopefully have landed a big one. Arrangements can be made by dropping the fish off at the numerous tourist friendly meat packers to be smoked and mailed home so you can enjoy healthy, tasty salmon and the benefits of fish oil.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast then Alaska should be on the top of your list to visit. The sightseeing adventures, the majesty of the mountains, glaciers and history make Alaska an ideal destination for tourists. Add the sport fishing in Juneau Alaska and you are bound to have a good time!