Alaska Fishing Seasons by Species and Month

Before planning your next Alaska fishing trip, become familiar with the fishing seasons for the most popular of Alaska’s game fish species including King, Sockeye, Coho and Pink salmon, along with Steelhead trout, Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and halibut.

alaska fishing seasons chart by species

Chart of peak fishing seasons and availability by popular Alaska gamefish species.

Fishing Seasons by Species

Alaska fishing seasons vary by fish species and region. Below we’ll explore the peak fishing seasons for Alaska’s most popular game fish species.

King salmon runs get underway during late May and run through late July. King salmon runs peak the last two weeks of June through the first week of July.

King salmon are found in the ocean waters surrounding Alaska year round. Peak season for King salmon ocean fishing is from May until late August early September.

Sockeye fishing season in Alaska typically runs from mid-June through the first week in August—sometimes later depending on the year. In the Kenai and Kasilof rivers peak season is the last two weeks of July.

Sockeye are most abundant in Alaska’s coastal waters from late May through the beginning of August.

Coho salmon runs are at their peak from late July through early October, with availability in June and November. Some areas experience two salmon runs each year, one in the spring followed by another during late summer early fall.

Ocean fishing for Alaska’s Coho salmon runs from June through October and peaks during July and August.

Dolly Varden are available year round in Alaska’s fresh water environments. Peak availability is throughout the summer months primarily from July through September.

Salt water fishing for Dolly Varden is from May through September with peak availability from early June through early August. In some areas Dolley Varden are abundant as early as March.

Steelhead fishing really swings into gear starting in May and remains strong throughout the remainder of the year.

Peak steelhead seasons are during the early spring run from March to June and again during the fall run from September through November.

Peak ocean fishing for Alaskan steelhead is from August through October.

Rainbow trout are available in Alaska’s fresh water streams, rivers and lakes year round. Peak fishing season for Rainbows is during the warmer months from April through October—depending on location.

Lake trout are available in Alaska’s fresh water lakes and a few of its larger river systems most of the year. Peak fishing season for Lake trout is from late May through October.

Fishing season in Alaska for Northern Pike is really year round. Peak times to target Northern Pike are in early spring and early fall, and then again in late winter through the ice.

Alaskan grayling season extends throughout the year with peak availability in the early spring and summer from late April through early July and again in the fall from September through October.

Halibut is one of Alaska’s most popular salt water sport fish. It can be fished most of the year, however, peak halibut season is from early May through end of September early October.

You’ll find halibut in most of the waters surrounding Alaska, but you should explore the best places to going halibut fishing to have the most productive halibut fishing experience possible during your next trip to Alaska.

Rockfish season is open year round in Alaska. Peak fishing season for rockfish is during the warmer summer months between May and August.

Fishing Availability by Month

Alaska fishing availability varies by month but generally the summer months of June through August is peak fishing season for most of Alaska’s most popular game fish species.

With an average temperature between 10°F and 20°F (-12°C and -6°C) January is the coldest month in Alaska. Most fishing this time of year is through the ice for Arctic char, grayling, rainbow trout, salmon and offshore for rockfish.

Temperatures in February are slightly warmer but fishing conditions are largely the same as in January. Ice fishing for Arctic char, grayling, rainbow trout, and salmon is the main activity for anglers.

February is not considered peak season for most fish species, but ice fishing is still productive for many fish species.

Temperatures begin to rise and days are getting longer. Ice fishing continues through the end of March for much of Alaska.

March is when halibut fishing really kicks off. Many charter companies hit the water and start fishing for salmon and rockfish again.

April is ice off for much of Alaska’s fresh water lakes and waterways. This is a great time of year to target Rainbow trout, grayling, Lake trout, Burbot and Pike.

Ocean fishing also picks up during April as temperatures continue to rise. Halibut and rockfish become more active toward mid April and some King salmon begin to appear.

Temperatures are now well above winters levels and fish activity is really beginning to heat up. Halibut, Rockfish, and King salmon are the main targets for seafaring anglers.

Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden (char), and Chinook salmon are now more active and abundant in many of Alaska’s freshwater rivers including the Kenai and Kasilof.

The weather’s now warmer, the fish are hungry, and the bite is strong. Fishing for Chinook (King) salmon is well under way and it’s perfect time to hit the Kenai River for some salmon fishing. King salmon runs typically hit their peak during the 3rd week in June.

Sockeye salmon are also out in numbers, especially along the junction between the Kenai and Russian rivers. The Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden bite is also strong during June.

Bottom fishing in the saltwater bays and channels will land you King salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod and Halibut. If Halibut is on the menu, halibut hot spots include Homer, Seward, Juneau and Ketchikan.

July is one of the most active fishing seasons of the year in Alaska. Fishing for King and Sockeye salmon is still strong through the end of the month.

Just as King salmon season is winding down, Coho salmon seaons is picking up. About half way through July, Coho salmon start appearing in numbers.

Alaska saltwater fishing is at its peak. Kings, halibut, rockfish and lingcod are abundant just offshore in Alaska coastal waters.

August is much as July with strong salmon fishing in many of Alaska’s larger river systems. Coho fishing is at full sprint, and fishing for Chum salmon is picking up. You’ll find a few linger Kings and Sockeye, but the numbers are small.

August is when Pink salmon start to appear in numbers in Alaska’s major river systems. The only catch is that Pink salmon only run Alaska’s rivers on even years.

September ushers in a transition period from the warmer summer to cooler fall—but fishing remains hot. Freshwater Coho (silver) salmon runs are still strong and steelhead fishing is in full swing.

Dolly Varden fishing hits its peak early September and ocean fishing for Coho salmon is usually excellent. Rainbow, Lake trout, grayling and Northern Pike are all available in September.

Although a littler cooler, October is much as September. Coho is still productive, especially on the Kenai River. Fishing for Halibut and other saltwater bottom feeders remains active.

Fishing for Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden can be outstanding during October. Steelhead fishing on the Karluk River is typically very productive.

Come prepared to brave the elements. Rain, wind, even a snow flurry is no uncommon during October.

You can still catch the tailend of the late season Coho run in November—especially in Kodiak.

Steelhead and Lake trout are still at their peak throughout November. Steelhead are especially abundant this time of year on the Kenai River near Shilak Lake, as well as the Karluk River.

While not as strong as during the summer months, Rainbows, Lake trout, and Dolly Varden continue to bite.

Many of Alaska’s interior freshwater lakes and river systems provides excellent ice fishing opportunities for Rainbow trout, Coho salmon, Artic char, Dolly Varden, Burbot, Pike and Lake trout throughout the month of December.

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