Salmon Fishing
On your trip to Juneau, you have several options for salmon fishing in the region. You can hire fishing charters and guides at the downtown docks, Auke Bay or Aurora Harbors. Local knowledge works in your favor when using a guide, as most know special hidden locations that typically result in good catches. You can fish for salmon from the hundreds of miles of shoreline in the Juneau area. T-Harbor and the waters around Yankee Cove, approximately 25 miles north of downtown, are easily accessible. Benefits of fishing these areas include frequent humpback whale, orca, harbor porpoise, harbor seal and stellar sea lion sightings. You should be aware of your surroundings at all times and be on guard for brown bears that patrol the area during the salmon runs.
Halibut Fishing
Halibut fishing is a popular activity for visitors to Juneau. For most coming to the Juneau area, hiring a Halibut Charter is the only way you will be able to access the prime spots for the bottom fish. Charters can be hired in downtown Juneau at the waterfront, Aurora Harbor and the Harbor at Auke Bay. Most charters and guides have filets and smoking services where your catch is prepared, frozen, packaged and mailed to your homes. Before hiring charters, ask about these services and what the additional fees are. Humpback, minke and orca whales are frequently spotted during halibut charters.
Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling
Fishermen and anglers wanting to get in some freshwater fishing can drive "out the road" to the Eagle Glacier trail and hike in to the creeks in the area. Fly-fishing for dolly varden and arctic grayling is possible from the trail The area has frequent brown bear activity. You should bring bear spray and be educated on its proper use. Situational awareness is essential when fishing the creeks as bears are stealthy and frequently get close to anglers without their knowledge. Salmon Creek Falls, behind the Tlingit/Haida Community Building in Lemon Creek, is another popular stream to fly-fish for dollys and arctic grayling.
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
