South Central Region
This region encompasses Alaska's four most popular fishing areas, especially for salmon: Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, the Northern Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. All of the areas are easily accessed by road and boat, but that is not the only reason they are so popular. They also are well-stocked with a staggering variety of freshwater fish: dolly varden, rainbow, steelhead and lake trout and chinook, coho, pink and sockeye salmon. Salmon species can be caught as both freshwater and saltwater fish, depending on the time of year. Coastal waters are home to halibut, rockfish and lingcod.
Southeastern Region
This is the strip of Alaskan coast that extends south from the bulk of the state. Chinook, coho, pink, sockeye and chum salmon can be caught in the local waters, but the prized chinook can only be caught as a freshwater fish for the most part. The freshwater stock includes pike, a fish not often found in the South Central Region. There are also trout, dolly varden, halibut, rockfish and lingcod.
Interior Region: North Slope
The Interior Region's North Slope is a distinct territory all its own--and entirely Arctic. North Slope lakes and rivers are home to burbot, lake trout, the Arctic char and the Arctic grayling.
Interior Region: Middle Area
The middle of the Interior Region consists of the Northwest and Yukon areas. Sport fishermen there try their luck for Arctic char, Arctic grayling, pacific salmon (freshwater only), dolly varden, sheefish, northern pike and lake trout. Burbot are present, but uncommon.
Interior Region: Lower Area
The southern reaches of the Interior Region consist of Kuskokwim, the Upper and Lower Tanana River and the Upper Copper River areas. Kuskokwim is best known for its ice fishing. The Upper Copper River area can be reached by road and rougher, back-country routes, where you probably will need a 4-by-4 vehicle and hiking boots. It's not uncommon for anglers to be ferried in by helicopter or light aircraft. Freshwater coho, chinook and sockeye salmon can be found there, as well as Arctic grayling, burbot, dolly varden, rainbow and steelhead trout and even some whitefish. The Tananas are home to 18 species of fish, and are the best place in Alaska to go after whitefish.
