Written by With summer coming to an end, you may wonder if fall is a good time for Sitka fishing. The answer is an unequivocal yes! In fact, halibut and Alaska salmon fishing are at their best in the fall. During this time, you will also have fewer crowds in the form of both anglers and tourists. Since peak season hasn’t ended yet, don’t set aside your fishing pole until you see all of what Sitka has to offer. You can always count on our charter to take you to the best fishing spots in the area.
Enjoy Better Weather
Alaska isn’t known for its warm temperatures, not even in the summer months, but you may find the cooler temperatures in the fall to be more tolerable. If you don’t like mosquitos, you have significantly fewer of those to deal with, as well as other pests. Even if you spend most of your time on the water, you still get to experience the fall foliage as it comes in full bloom, which is a sight everyone can appreciate. With the colder (pest-free) weather and smaller crowds, you will find that overall, fall is a more relaxed time to go fishing in our neck of the woods.
Halibut Fishing Season
Halibut season lasts between mid-May to mid-September, so you’ll arrive in time for a halibut catch. You will likely find a high abundance of these fish, but they don’t get any easier to catch during the fall. We recommend checking the forecast, as the best days to go out are when the water is calmest, and the tides are low to medium-sized. Anything stronger, and you will have difficulty keeping your bait at the bottom of the ocean, where halibut typically dwell. We will make sure to take you to the best spots to ensure you get at least one good catch.
Salmon Fishing Season
The season for the world-famous king salmon is coming to an end, but you will find an abundance of silver salmon, also known as coho, during the fall months. While it isn’t uncommon to find seven-pound silver salmon during summer, they can grow significantly in just a few months, so you may experience salmon as large as 20 pounds by the fall. You may even come across a few king salmon if you’re lucky. If you do, you will be amazed at the enormity of your catch. During the late season, king salmon, though a rare find during these months, can get as big as 50 pounds.
What To Bring?
We recommend you prepare for the colder fall months and bring the proper clothing and footwear to keep relatively dry and comfortable. We recommend bringing:
- Long underwear (two pairs)
- Sturdy socks
- Lightweight gloves
- T-shirts that dry quickly
- Pants that dry quickly
- Vest
- Heavyweight jacket
- Raincoat
- Waterproof shoes
- High-quality rain gear
In addition to the right clothing, make sure to bring necessary licenses that are specific to the area you will be fishing. There are also plenty of miscellaneous items that you shouldn’t forget to pack on your trip to Sitka, like a camera, small baggies, sunglasses, cooler, and extra cash.
We will provide:
- All Bait Gear and Tackle
- Lunch, Snacks, Soft Drinks, and Water
- Rain Gear
- Vacuum packing and freezing (additional charge)
You may want to bring your own rain gear if you plan on spending additional time in Sitka. Even though we provide bait gear and tackle, feel free to bring your own if there is a specific fish you want to catch, and trust your gear to do the trick.
Visit Action Alaska
Don’t assume the action ends with the summer months. We will still be here, ready to take you on the adventure of a lifetime. So, come aboard our fully customized boat, “Kimshan,” owned and operated by Capt. Cody Loomis, a saltwater fishing guide for over 25 years, and his wife Marlie. We are committed to upholding the highest standards in customer service, which is why over 90 percent of our bookings every year are repeat customers.
For the best Sitka Fishing, contact Action Alaska. Call 907.312.1486 to book your guided fishing tour.