2025 Alaska fishing trip planning

[JeffRaines]

I say fishing, its fishing/sightseeing I suppose since I've never been.

I know the first thing that comes to mind when I type in Alaska + fishing is salmon, and its not that I'm not interested but not only do I not have the tackle for it, I'm also uninterested in any combat style fishing. If its anything like it is locally(Western Washington) I'll pass.

What I am interested in, however, is Arctic char and grayling. Most of my fishing here consists of smaller waters - small rivers, creeks, and lakes, and its what I'm most interested in.

This trip is just in the planning phase at the moment. I have zero clue where or when I'm gonna end up yet.

I'll have 10 days to spend. While I would love to drive and avoid the rental car fees(as well as seeing the country between here and there) it doesn't leave much time to go out and enjoy. Sometime in the future when I have more time to spend I'll do it, but for now its flights and rentals.

It seems the best bang for my buck would be to fly into Fairbanks and base any adventures out of there. I could hit the haul road and go step inside the arctic circle(I don't think I'd drive all the way to Prudhoe). I could also experience the midnight sun. Surely there are some grayling to catch along the haul road?

Anyway, I'm not looking for someone to plan my entire trip - just to ground me on what to expect and what my best options might be, better times to come, ideas on waters to fish(if any locations are to be mentioned, a PM would be more appropriate). Some locals experience and expertise on some of this stuff would be greatly appreciated.

Also before its mentioned, I know most rental car agencies won't allow you to take their vehicles on gravel. I would be looking at the specialized agencies when it comes to hitting the haul road or the mountains.

If you guys have recommendations on guidebooks for this sort of thing(like maybe there's a good book on fly fishing for grayling in Alaska?) feel free to drop the name as well.

Thank you!

 

[Tjdeerslayer37]

this is an older book but im sure much of the info still applies. had this book with us on our first trip to AK and cruised the highway system stopping to fish all over the place and found a few spots we'd have totally driven right past.

Amazon.com

 

[YellCoAR]

Fishing out of Fairbanks. I don't have much experience. Only one trip, but it was one to remember for a life time. Up the Haul Road is a good choice. But don't forget East of Fairbanks several lakes you can rent a small boat. If you would like some of the spots we fished feel free to PM me.

 

[cktraider]

I drove from Texas with a buddy, the drive may have been the best part. But sounds like that would eat too much of your time. Ferry from Washington State was pretty pricey back then.
I would spend all my time in the Kenai Peninsula (Kenia, Homer, Seward etc), We were mainly Salmon fishing so this might not be the best spots for you?
You can camp on the beach in Homer and catch salmon right on the bank at high tide. We loved that whole area, Valdez is probably the prettiest spot but out of the way.
But there are small creeks, rivers and streams everywhere in that area and they all have different rules and fish in them so you should be able to find something for you there also.
We did some deep sea fishing for halibut etc that was fun but taking a boat plane into the interior from Anchorage to catch some red salmon was a blast.
Personally wouldn't recommend Denali, it was kinda cool but wouldn't go again.

 

[TXHunt]

I don't have alot of experience with Alaska but when we went a couple years ago, we flew into Anchorage and rented a car. We had 14 days and spent time from Fairbanks all the way to down to Seward and Kenai, ran out of time before we made it to Homer. I was not very impressed with north of Denali but absolutely fell in love with the Peninsula. The most amazing thing we did was took a float plane trip from Kenai across cooks inlet over into the wilderness area and fished for salmon and watched Brown Bears just a few feet from us. We used Talon air services for that trip. 10000000% worth the price. When we go back I will make it down to Homer for some Halibut fishing.

 

[cktraider]

I don't have alot of experience with Alaska but when we went a couple years ago, we flew into Anchorage and rented a car. We had 14 days and spent time from Fairbanks all the way to down to Seward and Kenai, ran out of time before we made it to Homer. I was not very impressed with north of Denali but absolutely fell in love with the Peninsula. The most amazing thing we did was took a float plane trip from Kenai across cooks inlet over into the wilderness area and fished for salmon and watched Brown Bears just a few feet from us. We used Talon air services for that trip. 10000000% worth the price. When we go back I will make it down to Homer for some Halibut fishing.

Pretty sure we used the same group, but it's been 20 years so I could def be wrong. Bears were catching more than we were up the waterfall for sure haha. Momma and 3 cubs. Was there a deer stand in the water beside you when ya fished that the Game Wardens would sit in? That was fun but hooking a king salmon in the river was the most fun I had. Running downstream chasing it!!

 

[TXHunt]

Pretty sure we used the same group, but it's been 20 years so I could def be wrong. Bears were catching more than we were up the waterfall for sure haha. Momma and 3 cubs. Was there a deer stand in the water beside you when ya fished that the Game Wardens would sit in? That was fun but hooking a king salmon in the river was the most fun I had. Running downstream chasing it!!

Haha no, no deer stand and the only way into where we were was by plane. We caught our limit of salmon in less than an hour and then our guide broke out a little grill and filet the fish and grilled a couple while we watched the bears and he let my son fish for these little white fish and he was catching those one after another. Very cool experience.

 

[cktraider]

Haha no, no deer stand and the only way into where we were was by plane. We caught our limit of salmon in less than an hour and then our guide broke out a little grill and filet the fish and grilled a couple while we watched the bears and he let my son fish for these little white fish and he was catching those one after another. Very cool experience.

Ya we did the same I guess a different spot, def worth it. We were snagging them in the mouth with just yellow yarn attached so we could see it.

 

[Alaska 4x4 Rentals]

I know a company that is perfect for your vehicle rental needs...Shoot me a message.