We have boats open from about August 28th on in the 2010 season. With discounts of up to $300 off regular rates.

The Hidden Gem of Sitka's Fishing Season

It's no secret to any seasoned saltwater angler that Sitka, Alaska, is one of the most desirable fishing destinations in the world.  Sitka has ultimate bragging rights of being a fishing Mecca, primarily because it is one of the few places in the world where you can fish for multiple species of salmon, halibut, and rockfish - all in the same day.  Based on my experience, there are times of the season where you can even catch your limit of various species in the same fishing spot!

One of the top questions anglers ask before they book their flight to Sitka is, "When is the best time to go fishing?"  Well, the answer to that question is always "Anytime is a good time to fish in Sitka, it just depends on what you want to fish for!"  If you are looking for lots of action and a mixture of species available to keep, we recommend considering Sitka's peak silver salmon time which hits by the third week of August and runs through the first week of September. 

By late August, the Coho salmon are weighing an average of 9-15 pounds!  Silver salmon fishing in Sitka is phenomenal and super fun when you hit a school.   There is nothing like the aerial stunts these bright fighters put on, and playing these acrobatic fish on light tackle is a kick in the pants!  Multiple hookups are common during the late season. 

Besides the silver salmon, take advantage of keeping ling cod as it reopens August 16th after a two month mid-season closure.  By September 1st, the Sitka local area management plan allows fishing for halibut on the inside area waters.  This increases your fishing grounds as well as the opportunities to fish for halibut in protected areas.  You can still see some kings around in late August into the beginning of September depending on the timing of their run.  Our lodge record king salmon (75 pounds) was caught in late August of 2002, so a big keeper in late season is not unheard of!

Besides the many varied fishing opportunities Sitka's late season offers, your pocketbook will likely see some benefits as well.  Many lodges offer discounted packages during this time frame as it is harder to sell dates that fall outside of the traditional "summer" season.  Additionally, airline tickets typically sell for less if you book far enough in advance. 

The next time you look at booking a fishing trip to Sitka, think about what you are hoping to fish for and whether you can be flexible on your dates. Then consider trying out late August or early September and experience a little known gem of a time that not many anglers know about.