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What fish species do we catch in Sitka?

Targeted Saltwater Species in Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is famous for its diversity and consistency, offering anglers some of the best saltwater fishing in Alaska. And we’re not just saying that. Our location is a central corridor for fishing passing through.

The Salmon Super Highway
In Sitka, we have all five species of Pacific salmon:

• King (Chinook)
• Coho (Silver)
• Pink
• Chum
• Sockeye

In the saltwater, we regularly catch all of the salmon species except sockeye. While sockeye are very abundant in the region, the best opportunity to target them is in freshwater rivers and lakes. In the saltwater though it’s blast targeting primarily kings and coho.

Sitka is often referred to as the “Salmon Super Highway” due to its location on the outer coast, where migrating salmon funnel past our waters. Hands down, Sitka is one of the top salmon fishing destinations in the state.

Halibut

From May through September, anglers have excellent opportunities to catch halibut, including trophy-class fish. Daily limits and size restrictions vary year-to-year, so be sure to check with your captain for current regulations.

At North Pacific Saltwater Charters, we offer Guided Angler Fish (GAF) tags, which allow anglers to purchase an additional halibut tag. GAF tags make it possible to retain very large trophy halibut in addition to standard daily limits.

Lingcod

Sitka offers some of the best lingcod fishing in Alaska. The rocky structure in and around Sitka Sound provides ideal habitat for these aggressive predators. Size and bag limits change annually, so please check with us for the most up-to-date regulations.

Rockfish (Black Rockfish, Yelloweye, and More)
Variety, variety, variety! Brown ones, black ones, yellow ones, orange ones — and even bright red ones. The Sitka area boasts an incredible diversity of rockfish species. Captain Jon is a biology fan and enjoys teaching guests about the variety of species found. Rockfish provide a great fight on light tackle and are excellent table fare, making them a favorite for many anglers.

Blackcod / Sablefish
When weather permits, we head to the continental shelf for deep drops in 800–2,600 feet of water to target blackcod. These fish may be the tastiest fish in the ocean and are packed with omega-3s, making them an exceptionally healthy meal. You won’t find blackcod all over Alaska. They’re specific to certain areas, including ours! Daily bag limits are often liberal, allowing anglers to bring home a generous amount of this premium white meat. While targeting blackcod, we frequently catch blackgill and shortraker rockfish, which is an added bonus of deep-water fishing in the Sitka area.

Many trips target multiple species in one day, depending on season and conditions.

Is fish cleaning & processing included?

Upon landing, your fish are immediately bled, gutted, and iced, ensuring top-quality table fare. Back at the dock, we:

• Fillet your catch into ~1-lb portions
• Bag in 5-mil bags
• Vacuum seal and blast freeze immediately

Package guests: Processing is included

Day charter guests: Processing and box fees apply and are reasonably priced

How do we take fish home?

Fish can be shipped via Alaska Air Cargo, FedEx, or delivered to the airport ready for checked baggage.

When is the best time to fish in Sitka?

There’s no bad month in the summer — just different highlights.

May–JuneExcellent fishing for king salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. May and June often provide some of the best weather of the season, making these months especially enjoyable on the water.

July
Peak variety. July is an outstanding month in Sitka, with opportunities for king, coho, pink, and chum salmon. As the month progresses, king salmon typically become less abundant while coho numbers increase.

August–September
Coho salmon fishing peaks as August progresses, and mooching becomes our preferred method during August and September. Many days produce limits of these hard-fighting, delicious salmon. As we get closer to September, the fish get bigger — late-August coho commonly average 10–14 pounds.

Bottom fishing for halibut, lingcod, and rockfish remains excellent during this period.

How experienced do I need to be?

No experience is required.

Our charters provide:

• Expert instruction from our captain and deckhands
• Top-of-the-line rods and reels
• All assistance legally allowed to help anglers succeed

Our trips are perfect for beginners, families with kids, and first-time anglers.

There is no minimum age requirement, though the decision to bring very young children is left to parents. Generally, kids 6 years and older do very well and can reel in fish with close supervision.

We also welcome experienced anglers and enjoy learning from guests who bring decades of fishing knowledge to the boat.

What gear do we need?

Rods, Reels, Bait & Tackle

All fishing gear is included, regardless of the package you choose. We use:

• G. Loomis rods
• Shimano Tekota salmon reels
• Accurate halibut reels
• Daiwa Tanacom electric reels for deep drops

We pride ourselves on using top-of-the-line equipment to ensure a flawless experience. We also provide rain gear, though we recommend bringing sturdy waterproof boots or shoes. Guests are welcome to bring their own rain gear if preferred.

Do you need a fishing license?

All clients 16 years and older are responsible for purchasing, printing, and signing their fishing licenses prior to the trip. Licenses are affordable and easily purchased through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game online store. We’re always happy to help if needed. If you are king salmon fishing with us you will need to add a king salmon stamp when purchasing your license. New for 2026 we will collect an additional $20 per angler per day for the new federally regulated halibut stamp. Learn more about this new program.

What’s the weather like? Will we fish in the rain?

Sitka is located within the Tongass National Forest, a temperate rainforest heavily influenced by the marine environment.

Rain is common year-round, with May through August being the driest and warmest months. Temperatures are usually cool, though 60–70°F days are not uncommon during the summer.

Some days can be chilly on the ocean, so we recommend bringing layers. Our boat features excellent cabin heat, and guests are always welcome to warm up in the wheelhouse.

Wind conditions vary, and our captains constantly monitor weather and sea conditions to choose the safest and most productive fishing locations. In nearly 20 years of guiding, we have never canceled a trip due to weather.

We hope you find our Sitka fishing charter FAQs to be useful and relevant. If we missed something you wanted to ask, please let us know by emailing or calling Jon. You’ll find the contact info at the top and bottom of every page!