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Alaska Vacations Overview

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Posted by Your Guide on April 21, 2006 8:16 PM

The great land of Alaska is popular to vacationers because of its rich cultural history, abundant wildlife, spectacular natural wonders, and numerous outdoor adventures. Alaska is surrounded mostly by water; the Chukchi sea to the northwest, the Bering Sea to the west, the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean to the South, and the Arctic Ocean to the north and northeast. Canada borders the eastern side of the state. Alaska is called the Last Frontier. It covers 570,373 square miles of land, mostly undeveloped, in addition to 45,000 square miles of water, and is the largest state in the country. Alaska contains many natural wonders including Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain, the aurora borealis, ancient glaciers, and seas that stretch as far as the eye can see. These and many other distinctive features make Alaska perfect for vacations. With unlimited opportunities, Alaska is the vacation destination for anyone wanting an experience in the great outdoors as only the Last Frontier can provide.

For a once in a lifetime vacation in Alaska, consider taking a fishing vacation. The state is known world wide for its fantastic fly-fishing, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing and even ice fishing. Fishing in Alaska could be defined as just pulling over next to a roadside stream and throwing a few casts. Or it could mean chartering a boat or float plane or hiring a guide to take you into more remote locations in the state. There are more than 627 species of fish that occupy Alaska’s oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams. Every region of the state offers excellent fishing to please the visiting angler. Choose a region of the state, find a cozy lodge or cabin, and spend a few days reeling them in.
• Western Alaska Fishing:
Western Alaska is well known for its fishing. State records of three species have been caught off of the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island, and the national wildlife refuges found there. After the salmon have spawned upriver, anglers can then fish for rainbow trout. Some of the species that can be found in western Alaska include king salmon (chinook), red salmon (sockeye), silver salmon (coho), rainbow trout, steelhead trout, dolly varden, arctic char, arctic grayling, northern pike, sheefish, whitefish, and halibut.
• Kenai Peninsula Fishing:
An easy 2 hour drive from the state’s largest city, the Kenai Peninsula is home to at least a dozen fish species. King salmon is what the Kenai Peninsula is most known for. It appears in late spring. Halibut, dolly varden, red and silver salmon, and rainbow trout are also popular. Fishing locations include the Kenai River and the towns of Homer and Seldovia.
• Interior Alaska Fishing:
The vast middle section of the state is home to many lakes and rivers. Anglers can fish for arctic grayling on the Chena River, for northern pike on the lakes of the Minto Flats, or for lake trout on one of the many streams off of the Denali Highway.
• Southcentral Alaska Fishing:
Anchorage contains many creeks that are home to king salmon, the largest fish found in Alaska’s fresh waters. Among them are Ship Creek, Bird Creek, and Campbell Creek. Anglers can also fish for pike and rainbow trout in the urban lakes. Most species are best caught May through September. The beautiful Prince William Sound is a popular location for those wishing for sea-run fish such as halibut, and is accessible by seagoing boats or charter boats.
• Southeastern Alaska Fishing:
The rugged landscape of southeastern Alaska makes it a unique fishing location. Its inland waters contain rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout while its seaside waters contain huge halibut and numerous salmon. Many towns in this region of the state have charters and air taxis available for interested anglers.
• Northern Alaska Fishing:
The icy waters of northern Alaska are home to northern pike, arctic grayling and whitefish. Anglers can also fish for lake trout, the state’s largest freshwater fish, in the many deep lakes of the coastal plain and by ice-fishing. Chartered trips into the wilderness on boats and air taxis are available. Some of the towns and villages have fishing guides that can be hired as well.



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