Alaska fishing seasons

41 species profiles in our database list Alaska waters among their fisheries — including Northern Pike, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, Pacific Halibut. Below: what's in season month by month, where to fish, and the licence source you need. Seasons shift year to year; the official agency has the final word.

Best months to fish in Alaska

Months when the largest share of Alaska's profiled species are in season, from our database. Full calendar: What's Biting.

Alaska fishing calendar, month by month

Each month links to the species in season then, from our season windows. A month is charted when at least 3 species are in season.

Freshwater species in Alaska

Species	Season
Alaska Blackfish	Often most active in warm months; check local rules
Arctic Char	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Arctic Grayling	Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Dolly Varden	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Northern Pike	Mar–Apr–May–Sep–Oct–Nov

Saltwater & brackish species in Alaska

Species	Season
Arrowtooth Flounder	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Bank Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Black Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Blackgill Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Blue Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Brown Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Canary Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Chilipepper Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
China Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Chinook Salmon	Run-dependent by river/region; check run timing
Chum Salmon	Run-dependent by river/region; check run timing
Copper Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Darkblotched Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Dover Sole	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Flag Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Gopher Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Grass Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Kelp Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Olive Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Pacific Halibut	Often year-round; weather windows and depth matter
Pacific Ocean Perch	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Pink Salmon	Run-dependent by river/region; check run timing
Quillback Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Rex Sole	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Rock Sole	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Rosy Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Shortraker Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Silvergray Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Sockeye Salmon	Run-dependent by river/region; check run timing
Starry Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Stripetail Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Tiger Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Widow Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Yelloweye Rockfish	Open seasons vary by region/depth; check regulations
Yellowmouth Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules
Yellowtail Rockfish	Depth and open seasons vary; check current regional rules

Where to fish in Alaska

• Alaska (Sitka/Homer)
• Gulf of Alaska

Fishing in the West

Washington · Oregon · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Idaho · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Hawaii