If you’re planning an Alaskan fishing trip you undoubtedly want lots of big fish, breathtaking landscapes, and lots of wildlife. For saltwater fishing, one place stands out as home to all of these, the town of Sitka, Alaska.
The Town of Sitka
The water around Sitka is a feeding ground for some monster King Salmon. The average weight of Kings caught in the areas around Sitka is between 20 and 70 pounds, making it a great place for anyone looking to catch these gigantic fish.
Silver salmon are also abundant in this area, appearing towards the end of the King Salmon run. They are smaller than Chinooks, but any experienced angler will tell you they fight back just as hard. Their average weight is about 8 to 14 pounds, so they still give you and your family enough for a nice dinner or two (or three). Many anglers come to this area for the silver salmon fishing exclusively because the higher bag limits you’re allowed with silver salmon ultimately result in you bringing home some more meat.
Halibut Fishing in the seas around Sitka is also amazing. The fish caught here are usually in the 50 to 60 pound range, but they can sometimes get up to over 300 pounds in size! On most trips, at least one person out of the group will catch a fish over 100 pounds. The strong tidal currents around Sitka also allow for more creative, and sometimes easier, fishing techniques than you will sometimes find in other areas of Alaska and you can also catch lingcod, red snapper, and other saltwater fish.
Sitka is more than just fishing however. The weather is mild when compared with the rest of Alaska, the scenery is superb and there are thousands of islands, streams, and bays. The sheer size and amount of things to see an do ensures that you’ll never fish the same area twice (unless you want to). Wildlife is also abundant in the area, and if you’re lucky you might be able to see whales, eagles, otters, porpoises, and many other animals.
Of the many islands close to Sitka, the biggest are Chicago Island and Baranof Island. They are both heavily forested and filled with lakes and streams teeming with fish. Baranof Island even has snow covered peaks ringing the back of the island.
If you’re looking to plan an Alaskan Fishing Trip, but don’t know if you want to deal with Kenai Peninsula during peak season, Sitka is a great place to check out.
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