Salmon are unique creatures in that they begin and end their lives in fresh water, but spend all their time in between in the salty depths of the ocean. So, if you’re planning on fishing the rivers for these predators, make sure to schedule your fishing trip between late June and the beginning of September. This is the time when they begin their spawning run and can be caught in rivers and streams without having to book a charter for a day on the ocean (although you still may want to do this anyways).
The best places to find salmon are areas with cold, choppy, cloudy water. Salmon themselves generally don’t hang out in warm water; they only travel there if they’re extremely hungry and food is present. Cloudy water is also ideal for salmon, especially if lots of plankton are in it, because it attracts their prey and allows them to hide in wait better. Their instinct to hide and ambush their prey also means that salmon congregate around underwater obstructions, so try to find areas with a lot of these.
Here are some more general Alaska salmon fishing tips:
- If you’re close to the coast make sure you’re fishing hard one hour before through the tide change. This is when the fish hit hardest so make sure you’re not wasting your time messing with your gear or eating sandwiches.
- Speaking of tides, always fish with the tide or across it, never against it
- If you’re using lures, use one that can be seen, smelled, and heard underwater. Greens usually show up the best.
- If you’re using bait, use bulky baits about five to seven inches long. Also make sure to check it every fifteen minutes.
- If possible, fish for the salmon that you can see. This will let your react quicker to a bite and also give you a better chance of landing your catch. You also have less of a chance of getting your line tied up in any obstructions underwater.
- Don’t make a large disturbance when casting your line.
- ALWAYS USE SHARP HOOKS
That’s all for now, make sure to check back often for more articles and updates.
Related posts:
- Bait That Catches Massive Alaska King Salmon
- Different Species of Alaskan Salmon
- Going Deep for Alaska Salmon Fishing