Alaska Travel Forum

Best time for Hunting and Fishing in Alaska
Posted: Mon November 17, 2003 12:02 PM UTC

My understanding is that fall weather in Alaska is as difficult to predict as where I'm from, in South Africa. So, given that one cannot predict in the future, what is a good time to plan to go to Alaska, for hunting and fishing i.e. when is the weather more likely to be good. Are we wanting to have our cake and eat it by planning for good fishing ad good hunting in a minimum period?
I understand that better flyfishing is early in August, rather than later. The best time to hunt moose and/or caribou is mid to late September, when the herds have moved down to lower elevations. This time you risk getting caught in termination snow?
Any opinion and suggestions on how to go about this trip of a lifetime on a shoestring budget will be welcomed. Suggest names and places? Thanks.

ProfessionalHunter

4 replies

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Re: Best time for Hunting and Fishing in Alaska
Posted: Mon November 17, 2003 04:52 PM UTC

Alaska is best in the summertime. Even in early September, it tends to get fairly cool and can be very wet around Juneau or Ketchikan. It actually stays fairly warmish toward the south - less snow than people usually imagine. Enjoy the trip!

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zuriga

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Re: Best time for Hunting and Fishing in Alaska
Posted: Tue December 2, 2003 02:05 AM UTC

The salmon run in June and July.

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ocicat

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Re: Best time for Hunting and Fishing in Alaska
Posted: Sun December 7, 2003 07:23 AM UTC

Alaska covers such a vast geographic area that it is impossible to give you a simple answer. Our caribou season (Chicken area) opens in mid-Aug and moose opens Sept 1. You never know from year to year what part of the season will yield results, but a little cold and snow usually helps.

"Termination dust " just terminates visits from outsiders ;>) Fishing also depends on the area and kind of fish. Fishing for most freshwater species is excellent just before freeze-up (Sept/Oct). If you are after red or king salmon, you will be too late by the time hunting season starts.

You should send to the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game for all the regs and seasons so you have some idea of the range of dates and areas. If you want a fly-in hunt (probably better chance of success), you can check most via the web such as Fortymile Air in Tok.

Good luck,
Mike
www.chickengold.com

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topoftheworld

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Re: Best time for Hunting and Fishing in Alaska
Posted: Wed January 21, 2004 04:16 PM UTC

I agree, you need to visit the Alaska DNR or Fish and Game webpage and look at the hunting and fishing regulations before planning your trip. My boyfriend always goes hunting in September. But it depends what exactly you are hunting/fishing. He took a fishing trip in south central early august and caught 4 different species of salmon. It really depends what you are looking for.

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