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How to Fish in Petersburg, Alaska

How to Fish in Petersburg, Alaska
If your travel plans include Petersburg, Alaska, you'll probably be heading there to fish. This collection of islands off the mainland in the southeast region of the state is home to some of the best halibut and salmon fishing in the world. Pink and king (chinook) salmon can also be taken, along with good catches of steelhead trout. Follow these steps to go fishing in Petersburg, Alaska.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Medium-weight spinning rod and reel spooled with 15-pound line.
  • Tackle, lures and bait
  • Fly-fishing rod and reel
  • Landing net
  • Alaska fishing license
  • Salmon stamp permit
Step 1
Book reservations well in advance of your travel date. Peak season for king salmon is May and June; for halibut it's July and August. Coho (silver) salmon season peaks from the end of August through mid-September.
Step 2
Purchase an Alaska State fishing license. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has detailed instructions on its website (see Resources). You can apply online or by mailing in one of the downloadable forms. Be sure to also purchase a king salmon permit stamp if you plan to fish salmon.
Step 3
Go freshwater fishing in the many rivers, streams, lakes and ponds rimming Petersburg. Spinning tackle rigged with spoons, spinners and jigs will produce trout and salmon from the riverbanks, or by trolling lakes and rivers.
Step 4
Climb aboard a kayak or canoe to reach isolated waters that the big guide boats are unable to reach. You'll enjoy solitary fishing in one of the great wilderness areas of Alaska.
Step 5
Use your flyrod and dry flies to catch steelhead trout and pink salmon in rivers and streams. Pink streamers and chartreuse (yellow-green) flies are consistently successful.
Step 6
Charter a boat or rent your own for saltwater fishing around the Petersburg islands. You can catch mammoth halibut (100-pounders are not uncommon), king salmon, rockfish and cod. Trapping Alaskan king crabs is also popular from boats off Petersburg.
Step 7
Troll for halibut with herring baited on hooks. Bottom fishing with jigs in still water is also effective.

Resources

Article Written By James Clark

James Clark began his career in 1985. He has written about electronics, appliance repair and outdoor topics for a variety of publications and websites. He has more than four years of experience in appliance and electrical repairs. Clark holds a bachelor's degree in political science.

Write for Trails.com

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