The vast Prince William Sound waters offer visitors a rich marine life habitat surrounded by the beautiful Chugach National Forest.
Here, you will fish for every salmon species and halibut till you drop. Being part of the serenity in wild Alaska, away from the chaos of civilization, adds to the thrill.
We have gone fishing in Prince William Sound several times, so read on to discover the perfect spots.
How To Get To Prince William Sound
Take the 2-hour Glacier Discovery train from Anchorage, through Girdwood, to Whittier as we did.
It’s a scenic route with numerous attractions, so bring your camera for breathtaking photographs.
Alternatively, if you are wildlife and glacier sightseeing in Seward, rent a car and take the drive through the excellent rail and car tunnel.
Once you get to Whittier, there are plenty of accommodation options for your entire stay.
Salmon And Halibut Fishing In Prince William Sound
As a prime salmon and halibut fishing area, Prince William Sound is popular with experienced anglers.
If you are a beginner, join the crowd for the peak July to August king salmon season.
During these months, you will catch salmon in varying sizes, with plenty over 20 pounds.
A few anglers take pride in larger-size catches, earning some recognition.
Salmon are predictable, and if you want to increase your chances of hooking a few, go fishing at dawn or late evening.
Usually, they move towards shore early in the day or at night in search of food.
However, any pinkeye or sockeye salmon you catch will be slightly smaller than the king salmon, ranging between 2 to 8 pounds.
On the other hand, halibut are in plenty in Prince William Sound between June and August. They flock to shallow waters, especially near tide lines and rocky reefs.
These fish species tend to be large and will fight you, so consider using heavy tackle. Should you land a particularly massive one, show off with a few photographs to commemorate the experience.
Where To Go Fishing In Prince William Sound
Besides salmon and halibut, Prince William Sound is also known for lingcod, pollock, herring, rockfish, and cod.
If you are up to a fishing challenge in Prince William Sound, consider using Whittier as the start base.
From Whittier, you can easily access four more remote and scenic spots for a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience. Here’s a six-day itinerary for fishing in Prince William Sound from May to September.
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Fishing Trip In Whittier
Since Whittier is known as the gateway to Prince William Sound, it is the perfect location to begin a fishing trip.
As a small fishing town, anglers can hire local guides for day fishing off the harbors.
These 8-hour fishing charters ensure you catch your daily salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod limit.
On the other hand, you can begin your fishing trip with a leisurely Prince William Sound glacier cruise.
The 11-hour journey takes you through numerous glaciers, marine wildlife fjords, and ice-filled waters.
From this cruise tour, you can spot the popular fishing spots and plan for the next few days.
Fishing Trip To Valdez
Since there is no direct road route to Valdez from Whittier, you must take the ferry across. It is a 6-hour trip, one-way, so plan by booking your guided fishing charter early.
A typical fishing experience in Valdez is as simple as casting your line off the shore or using a guide to catch salmon or halibut in secluded spots.
The town is also famous for its summer sportfishing competitions, where anglers with the biggest catches receive various awards and recognition.
If you are up for the challenge, ask your local fishing charter company to sign you up.
Still, there’s an exciting activity to do in Valdez if your companions want to skip going fishing. Day cruises to Columbia Glacier offer visitors beautiful sightings of the waterfall and marine wildlife.
Fishing Trip to Tatitlek
Ideal for those seeking a remote fishing experience, Tatitlek is a quaint village on the eastern side of Prince William Sound.
Access is by boat or plane, with charters available from Whittier or Valdez.
Apart from fishing for Salmon and Halibut, the locals in Tatitlek make a living from catching oysters.
Fishing Trip to Cordova
Take another 4-hour Alaska Marine ferry from Whittier to Cordova for a day of fishing in the famous Copper River.
The guided fishing tours target salmon sharks, halibut, and Dolly Varden.
You can stay overnight at a Cordova fishing lodge and take advantage of their trophy fishing adventures.
If you can spare a few hours, visit the local museum for a fascinating history of this part of Alaska.
Fishing Trip to Chenega
Another remote bay in Prince William Sound is Chenega, where fishing guides target halibut, salmon, rockfish, and lingcod.
The isolated Jumping Salmon fishing lodge in the bay also provides hunting and kayaking day trips to see seals, humpback whales, and orcas.
Access to Chenega is via charter planes or the ferry that serves the three remote villages, including Cordova and Tatitlek.
The Trip Back To Anchorage Or Seward
For the return journey to Anchorage from Whittier, use a rental car or take the train back.
Stop briefly at Girdwood town for lunch, skiing, or tour the local active gold mine.
If you are headed to Seward, a bus from Whittier also departs once daily for the two-and-a-half-hour journey.
What Is The Best Time To Go Fishing In Prince William Sound?
While summer is generally the best time to go fishing in Prince William Sound, the kind of fish available varies.
For instance, king salmon season is between May and August, while coho season runs from July to September.
Meanwhile, the halibut season is extended and lasts from April to October.
Whichever time of the year you visit, you will make a healthy catch, as Prince William Sound has an abundance of fish.
Ensure you wear warm and comfortable clothing and bring or hire the right gear.
Check the weather and tide predictions to plan your trip better.
However, your local guide or charter company has this information and understands the weather patterns better.
Charter the most experienced local teams as they know the less crowded spots with the most specimens.
Conclusion
Prince William Sound’s fishing differs from the adjacent Kenai Fjords National Parks. Anglers come to the Sound as it offers a larger fishing area and is the best escape from the harsh weather in Kenai.
Like all of Alaska, you will have a wonderful fishing experience amidst the massive glaciers and different wildlife species.
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