It’s every anglers dream: a trip to Alaska. Just the thought of bouts with salmon and halibut near breaching whales and soaring bald eagles stirs the soul. Alaska’s phenomenal bounties of wildlife and sea life beckon; here are six options to turn that dream into a reality. Although you could, in theory, explore 6,640 miles of Alaska coastline — more than all the other 49 states combined — the best fishing experiences happen along the state’s southeast and southwest coasts from May to mid-September. North of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find a dearth of fishing lodges and elements more severe; most traveling anglers find it far more satisfying to base fish fights out of lodges where a cozy bed, good eats and experienced guides can tip a trip into the unforgettable zone. Another coastal benefit is that salmon migrate up rivers to spawn, allowing bountiful inshore fishing for them as well. To help with the challenge of selecting a premier Alaska fishing experience, the following lodges (listed alphabetically) offer a mix of locations that aim to please. (Note: Always check before booking for current rates and seasonal specials; unless otherwise noted, all meals are included. Keep in mind that posted rates are often negotiable.)
#1 Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge
800-764-3918
At the southernmost entrance to the Inside Passage is Ketchikan, with Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge 35 miles to the southwest, in the lush rainforest on Prince of Wales Island.
• Access: Most flights reach Ketchikan from Seattle, and from there, a scheduled floatplane or ferry gets you to the lodge.
• Accommodations: Eleven rooms, up to 22 guests.
• Sport-Fishing Fleet: Five 28-foot cabin cruisers, each with twin 150 Mercury outboards.
• Tackle and Baits: Shimano 700 reels with Shakespeare Ugly Stik rods. For salmon, double-hooked sets with herring, two downriggers for kings, two flat lines for silvers and a fifth line with a flasher.
• Distance to Fish: Halibut 8 to 10 miles; salmon 10 to 15 miles; all usually within a 20-minute run.
• Season: Kings early May to early July; silvers early July to mid-August and scattered through September; pinks and chum July to late August; halibut, lingcod and rockfish June through September.
• Rates: $5,000 per person, double occupancy preferred but not required for two days fishing and three nights; $8,200 for four days fishing and five nights; cost of floatplane or ferry from Ketchikan included.
• Comments: The calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage make for typically comfortable fishing conditions. The lodge features three culinary-school-trained chefs.
• Access: From Juneau, Elfin Cove is about 100 miles to the west and -reachable only by floatplane or boat.
• Accommodations: Sixteen rooms hold up to 32 guests; Fishmaster’s Inn next door is also owned by Mike Legowski.
• Sport-Fishing Fleet: Six boats (five are -catamarans) from 30 to 36 feet, with the 34- and 36-footers powered by Yanmar diesel engines.
• Tackle and Baits: Shakespeare Ugly Stik rods, Shimano TR200 and Tekota 500 reels for salmon, and Shimano Tekota 700 reels for halibut. Mainly fishing cut herring for halibut, lingcod and rockfish; for silvers, a flasher in front of a hoochie lure; and for kings, yellow spoons with pink polka dots.
• Primary Fishing Grounds: It’s usually a run of 10 minutes for silver salmon, a max of 35 minutes for kings, and varies from 10 to 40 minutes for halibut, rockfish and lingcod.
• Targeted Species: Salmon, halibut, lingcod and yelloweye rockfish.
• Season: Kings best May to June; silvers mid July to September; lingcod and yelloweye rockfish midsummer.
• Rates: Three days, two nights with one day of fishing, $1,695; four days, three nights for $3,695 provides two and a half days of fishing; five days, four nights with three fishing days for $4,095;…
