Chinook Salmon Fishing in Alaska

Alaska Chinook Salmon Fishing

The peak season for Alaska Chinook salmon fishing is May and June when they migrate through Icy Strait heading for their inland spawning rivers in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia.

The spring Chinook salmon tend to be in shallow water along shoreline kelp beds feeding heavily to pack on fat for their July spawning runs.

Chinook salmon in Alaska are sporadically caught throughout the summer while fishing for other salmon or halibut. These fish tend to be strays from the Alaska coastal runs or "feeders," fish that will not be spawning for another year.

Chinook salmon are available all season on the outer coast where a southward migration to Canada, Washington, and Oregon occurs into September.

Current Alaska Fish & Game regulations allow anglers to retain one Chinook salmon per day and three per year. An Alaska King Salmon Stamp is required to retain any Chinook salmon.