Why People Visit Juneau to Fish
Fishing trip to Juneau is popular for many reasons:
- Fishing variety
- Incredible natural beauty
- Hospitable hotels with fish and game freezers
- Quiet solitude to relax
You’ll find good infrastructure and availability for fishing in Alaska’s capital with comfortable amenities, but you’ll still be in immense wilderness and untouched nature. You have several good fishing options close to Frontier Suites. These hot spots include:
- Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
- Tee Harbor
- Fish Creek/Douglas Island
Juneau is also home to both freshwater and saltwater species, making it a diverse spot to go fishing. If you are not well-versed in open sea fishing, the calmer, more protected waters of marine channels will likely be preferable.
Best Juneau Fishing Seasons
When you visit Juneau does matter if you’re planning a fishing trip. Here’s when you’ll have the best shot at catching fish and which fish are popular during these seasons.
Salmon Season
Salmon is the main draw for those visiting Alaska to fish. Plus, depending on when and where you fish, you can catch different salmon varieties.
- King salmon – These are most common from May to mid-July. They are one of the most popular salmon species, partially because they can be 30 pounds, testing even the most experienced anglers.
- Coho salmon – From late July through September, you’ll find coho salmon, also known as silver salmon. Sport fishers enjoy catching these fish.
- Pink salmon – You’ll find an abundance of these fish from July through August. Because they are so plentiful (and hence, easy to catch), they are popular for families visiting the area. Plus, since they are lightweight, they are easier to reel in.
Halibut Season
You can fish for halibut right alongside salmon as the season tends to match the tourist season of May through September, though peak halibut season is June through August.
To catch halibut, you’ll need to fish in offshore waters. Generally, this requires a guided fishing tour because renting boats and going out in open water alone is challenging for less experienced anglers.
Freshwater Fish
Rivers and lakes offer freshwater fishing year-round in Juneau. Some fish varieties you’ll find in these freshwater locations include:
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Cutthroat trout
- Steelhead trout
The best fishing is still in spring, summer and fall. If you visit Juneau during the shoulder season (the months leading up to tourist season or right after tourist season), fishing for freshwater varieties offers a fun, engaging experience.
Alaska Fishing License Requirements
Before you cast your line, you’ll need a fishing license. There are two ways to get a fishing license:
- Purchase through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
- Buy a fishing tour that includes a license
If you’re here for king salmon, you’ll need a special king salmon stamp, which adds $15 to a one-day fishing license, $30 for three days or $45 for a full week. That doubles the price of your nonresident fishing license.
Here’s the prices you can expect to pay through ADF&G:
- Nonresident 1-day sport fishing license: $15
- Nonresident 3-day sport fishing license: $30
- Nonresident 7-day sport fishing license: $45
- Nonresident 14-day sport fishing license: $75
You must keep your fishing license with you while fishing, either in a digital format on your smartphone or printed. This ensures you don’t face fines if asked to present your fishing license.
Guided tours for your fishing trip to Juneau
You can certainly rent equipment and fish from the shore while visiting Juneau. This is more affordable and might feel more familiar and comfortable for some travelers who are not as familiar with open-sea fishing.
But if you want the grand experience and the opportunity to fish for more varieties, consider a guided fishing tour or charter. Plus, tours include everything you’ll need to fish in the area since packing your fishing pole in your suitcase is not practical. Here’s a look at what’s generally included in Juneau fishing tours.
- Gear and bait
- Local expertise
- Assistance with preparing and packing fish you catch
- Transportation on a boat from a local who knows the waters and can navigate them safely
Many tours are run from Auke Bay Harbor, which is conveniently located just a few miles from Frontier Suites. You have a few options for your fishing tour. Most tours fall within two subcategories:
- Half-day trips of 4-6 hours
- Full day trips of 8 hours or more
You can also choose between fishing tours solely focused on fishing and those that offer wildlife viewing, such as whales, sea lions and bald eagles. Tour companies are fairly transparent about what you need to bring versus what they provide for fishing tours.
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We offer full kitchens in every suite.
What to Pack for Your Fishing Trip to Juneau
The most important thing you’ll need to bring for your fishing adventure in Juneau is the right apparel. Juneau weather is unpredictable, no matter when you visit. Precipitation is common and the temperature can fluctuate several degrees during fishing tours. Keeping that in mind, here are some essentials you’ll need for Juneau fishing experiences.
- Several layers of clothing, including a rain shell on top for the inevitable Juneau rainstorm
- Waterproof footwear you are comfortable standing in for several hours
- Sunglasses, as you’ll experience glare off the water even on overcast days, and sunscreen, as you can burn even during overcast days when you’re out for several hours
- Space on your phone or camera for plenty of incredible photos
- Dry bag to protect your valuables
- Snacks and water, though if you purchase a tour, many companies include these items
Why Frontier Suites is Ideal for Those Visiting to Fish
Staying at Frontier Suites has a major perk for those visiting the area to go fishing: a washer and dryer in every room. That way, if you get wet during your experience, you can run a load of laundry or dry the clothes for the next day’s adventure.
Additionally, Frontier Suites offers a fish and game freezer to help you care for your catch and prepare it for shipping or transporting home.
With a full kitchen in every room, you can also prepare a meal using the fish you caught. Cook your catch for any meal of the day to enjoy the product of your many hours out fishing and for the full experience of enjoying fresh fish in Juneau before freezing it.
Book your stay at Frontier Suites now as you plan your ideal Juneau fishing adventure.
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