Salmon Fishing Charters

Fishing in South East Alaska is abundant with 5 species of Salmon, Pacific Halibut, and about 300 types of rock fish.

King Salmon or Chinook are the largest Salmon and the most sought after, growing over 50 pounds. Their season is May to June, but are in Juneau all year. Residents and nonresidents have been required to release all Kings during the spawning time in April, May, and have been open to catch in mid-June around 6/15 for fish over 28 inches, about 12 pounds or larger. Juneau has a large Hatchery and releases Kings into the wild system where there are areas of liberal limits, the areas marked on the charts allow residents and nonresidents up to 5 kings per day at any size after 6/15.

Coho or Silver Salmon start showing up in Juneau area around the 1st of July and are around until October, with the high season on 7/15 to end of August. Residents and nonresidents are allowed 6 Silver per day with no restrictions. Our Coho has seen fish as large as 23 pounds, and they fight hard, sometimes jumping out of the water. Fun to catch and great to eat.

Sockeye or Reds Salmon run starts in mid-July through August and most commonly caught with gill nets by the commercial fisherman. The Sockeye turn bright red on the outside when they spawn, but are a blue color on their backs before they get into fresh water to spawn. They will hit trolling gear now and then, but most of the time they do not eat herring, feeding on krill. Residents can obtain a permit to catch them with dip nets and nonresidents can fish for them with hooks, but no snagging and limits are 6 per day.

Chum or Dog Salmon start running in June, are good eating when they are bright and can get up to 15 pounds. They are called Dog Salmon due to their growing canine looking teeth when they spawn. They are sought after for their salmon eggs which are great caviar, their meat is used in cat foods. They are also very good smoked when they're not too bright or dark. Residents and nonresidents limit are 6 per day.

Pink Salmon or Humpies are the smallest of the five, start running in June to September. They are called Humpies because they get a large hump on their backs when they spawn. We might see one that is 10 pounds, but their normal size is around 5 pounds. Limited to 6 per person. They normally are not smoked because they are not as big, good for Salmon patties.