The abundance of baitfish in the surrounding waters of Sitka, Alaska attracts massive schools of salmon every summer. It's like a marine highway filled with loads of salmon! Of the five salmon species that enter the Sitka waters during that time, King (Chinook) and Silver (Coho) salmon are the main targets. Although anglers who fish in Sitka commonly catch King and Silver salmon along with Halibut, Black Cod, and Rockfish on the same fishing day, their respective peak fishing times differ by a couple of months. June is considered prime time King salmon fishing, while the best Silver salmon fishing is enjoyed during the month of August. Halibut, lingcod, black cod, and rockfish is enjoyed summer long. Learn how to find the best Alaska fishing trip.
The Sitka, Alaska charter fishing season typically begins in mid - late May and ends in early - mid September. Book a trip in May or June and your group will typically be rewarded with good - excellent King Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, and Black Cod (Sablefish) fishing. Book a trip in August or September and you may only catch 1 King salmon for your 3 days of fishing, but instead catch your limits of Silver salmon within an hour or two on every single fishing day.
Awarding the best month or best time for a Sitka, Alaska fishing trip is unfair, mainly because they are all pretty great! However, there may be a way to find the best month for you and your group of family and/or friends. Outlined below is a description of each month for when we offer charter fishing and lodging packages. We hope that this may guide you and your group to find the best time to come fish with us in Sitka!
King salmon, halibut, lingcod, black cod (Sablefish), and rockfish are the main targets during the month of May. Learn more about all the types of fish we catch in Sitka, Alaska. On our 10 hour fishing days, we usually have plenty of time to target every species we have to offer in Sitka.
Less fishing pressure during the month of May allows for very successful bottom fishing. May 2019 and 2020 featured some of the best early season King salmon fishing we have seen in years, with limits or close to limits on each outing. We are optimistic for a repeat in 2021!
Read our fishing reports for the month of May.
The King salmon regulations change every year and are based on the Southeast Alaska Winter Troll Catch Per Unit of Effort (CPUE). In 2019, the CPUE was 3.38. That number jumped to 4.83 in 2020.
Here is the past 5 years of King salmon regulations for non-residents in May:
2021: TBD
2017-2020: 1 per person per day, 3 annual
2016: 2 per person per day, 6 annual
2015: 2 per person per day, 6 annual
Come fish with us in May if you and your group prefers King salmon, a smooth ocean, and excellent bottom-fishing! Interested in a special? Check out our May Fishing Specials.
Interested? Book Now!
Sitka Alaska Fishing Trips in June
If there is any month to guarantee excellent King salmon fishing, June would be it. Wild, fresh, ocean feeding King salmon is what Sitka is known for and the month of June doesn't disappoint. Learn why fishing in Sitka, Alaska is angler's paradise.
Sitka is home to the highest saltwater catch rates of King salmon in Alaska! The outstanding King salmon fishing is complimented by good-excellent halibut, lingcod, rockfish and black cod fishing.
Read our fishing reports for the month of June.
During the last two weeks of June, and especially the final week, we start catching a handful of Silver (Coho) salmon. Some consider the last week of June to be the best time to fish Sitka due to this added bonus.
Here is the past 5 years of King salmon regulations for non-residents in June:
2021: TBD
2020: May - June 14: 1 per day, 3 annual; June 15 - July 10: 1 per day, 4 annual
2017-2019: 1 per day, 3 annual
2016: 2 per day, 6 annual
2015: 2 per day, 6 annual
Book your trip for June if you want excellent King salmon fishing and bottom fishing! Interested? Check out our early June specials available June 1-10 every year.
Interested? Book Now!
Sitka Alaska Fishing Trips in July
King salmon is typically the primary salmon target during the first couple of weeks of July. By the beginning of the 3rd week of July, the Silver salmon fishing picks up immensely. Every year is different, however, and sometimes the beginning of July starts out red hot for Silver salmon.
Have you ever heard of the Grand Slam while salmon fishing? This is when you catch all 5 species of salmon (King salmon, Silver salmon, Chum salmon, Pink salmon, & Sockeye salmon) in the same fishing day. Typically, this most commonly happens during the months of July & August. Some consider July to be the best month to fish Sitka due to the loads of hungry salmon all around Sitka!
The King salmon regulations change mid-season every year, typically beginning July 1st. Here is the past 5 years of King salmon regulations for non-residents in July:
2021: TBD
2020: June 15 - July 10: 1 per day, 4 annual; July 11-July 30: 2 per day, 6 annual
2018-2019: 1 per day, 1 annual
2017: 1 per day, 3 annual
2016: 1 per day, 6 annual
2015: 1 per day, 6 annual
The Silver salmon regulations have been very consistent the last 5 years, and the limit is 6 per person per day and no annual limit.
Read our fishing reports for the month of July.
Interested? Book Now!
Sitka Alaska Fishing Trips in August
Silver salmon fishing is at their peak. Anglers who enjoy quick action will certainly love fishing Sitka in August! Guest's are allowed to keep 6 Silver salmon per person per day. During the months of July and August, the Silver salmon are frenzy feeding - growing up to 1-2 pounds per week.
King salmon remain in the waters throughout the month, however the schools or consistency are not the same as months prior. Here is the past 5 years of King salmon regulations for non-residents in August:
2021: TBD
2020: 3 per day, 9 annual
2019: 1 per person per day, 1 annual (emergency closure August 1-15)
2018: 1 per person per day, 1 annual
2017: 1 per person per day, 3 annual (emergency closure August 10)
2016: 1 per person per day, 6 annual
Halibut, yelloweye rockfish, black cod, & lingcod should be expected as the bottom fishing remains consistent throughout the month of August.
Read our August Sitka fishing reports.
Book a trip for August if you're interested in fantastic Silver salmon fishing!
Sitka Alaska Fishing Trips in September
September is highlighted by the excellent Silver salmon fishing. King salmon are still in our waters, but the numbers have drastically decreased.
Book a trip for September if you're interested in a combination of Silver salmon and bottom fish (halibut, lingcod, & rockfish). Fishing Packages are available September 1-5 every year.