The modern tourism industry is increasingly moving away from the offers of passive leisure to active. One of such proposals, which will be appreciated exclusively by extreme tourists, is fishing in Alaska. It is incredibly beautiful, not at all crowded (one of the most sparsely populated US states), grizzlies are found here, and rivers and lakes are teeming with fish. It’s cold here (it’s not without reason that models of especially warm jackets and suits for fishing are called “Alaska”). About the features of fishing and how to get there - this article.
American Siberia
Alaska is like our north, only in a parallel world. In a world where there are beautiful roads, a huge amount of small aircraft, excellent service and cozy and delightful lodges (small hotels in the forest on the river bank).
Alaska is the northernmost and largest in area (nearly 1.8 million square kilometers). In addition, this state and the most sparsely populated - 736 732 inhabitants.
The shores of Alaska are washed by two oceans - the Pacific and the Arctic. 12 thousand rivers flow here, the most significant of which is the Yukon (3 km long). And lots of freshwater lakes.
Here are the largest wildlife areas - the Arctic National Reserve (78 thousand square kilometers) and the National Oil Reserve (95 thousand square kilometers). Add to this 15 smaller national parks, nature reserves and natural monuments.
In the southeastern part of the state, a temperate marine climate prevails, winter temperatures do not drop below -6 degrees, and in summer the air warms up to +18 degrees. The subarctic climate of the central part in the north is replaced by severe Arctic. In summer, the temperature here does not rise above zero, and it was here that the lowest temperature in the United States was recorded - minus 62 degrees.
Biotope
Alaskan fauna is similar to that in Siberia. About 20 species of fur animals (mink, marten, wolverine, wolves and bears) live here. Here you can find moose and snow goats, reindeers and musk bulls. You can even meet bison.
The abundance of species of birds is amazing - from white partridges to fiery hummingbirds.
Fur seals, walruses, seals, sea lions rookery on the shores of Alaska.
Salmon and trout are found in the rivers and lakes, and halibut, cod, herring, cephalopods, crabs and shrimps are found in ocean waters.
State symbol - salmon
The right here is considered the right of each resident to fish. Everyone can catch as many fish as necessary. However, there are still rules, and not only legal, but also moral. Fishing here is carried out according to two principles: caught-seized and caught-released. At the same time, a separate license is issued for each fish, the cost of which is $ 55 per week, without limiting the place of fishing.
Tourism generates more than $ 2 billion in revenue. There are an average of 2 million tourists here annually. Only car rental replenishes the state treasury with 7-8 million dollars a year. Alaska is fully accessible to tourists. The number of helicopters and helicopters, as well as landing sites is simply unthinkable. You can fly anywhere.
This region, although sparsely populated, is very picturesque. And not only landscapes. Everywhere tourists see the symbols of Alaska - salmon, partridge, forget-me-nots, spruce and dragonflies.
Symbol of harsh romance
Mountainous terrain, white nights, volcanoes and lakes, as well as impressive glaciers - all this attracts tourists here. Hunting and fishing, trekking and rafting, ski slopes and walks along the glacier - and this is not a complete list of the wonders of Alaska.
But our article is about fishing in Alaska. You will be surprised, but a huge number of people work here so that every tourist will catch the fish of his dreams. Many small hotels near rivers and streams contribute to the maximum pleasure of hunting and fishing in Alaska.
All the profit from green tourism here is directed to the maintenance of professionals who plan to use all the natural resources of the region, aimed at restoring them. The second part of the expenses is the ranger service, which controls the observance of the rules by tourists.
Thanks to such efficient profit making and use, fish are caught here literally in every puddle.
Silver Rush - Fishing Season
In Alaska, ice flows from rivers in late April and early May. It was at this time that fish migration began - steelhead salmon were the first, followed by chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, and coho salmon.
Freshwater fishing in Alaska (photo in the article) lasts until September and is invariably successful for every angler. Char and trout, mykizha and whitefish, grayling and pike are caught in the rivers all summer. Fishing methods are also diverse (lures and jigging, bating and trolling, as well as fly fishing).
And also sea fishing in Alaska. It is carried out in the waters of the Pacific Gulf, where Pacific halibut (up to 300 kg) and toothy rasp (up to 50 kg), barracuda and sea bass (up to 20 kg), salmon and Pacific polar sharks are abundant. Well, in abundance in these waters cod, sea bass, stingrays, trout and salmon are found.
By the way, the latter are here not only the most delicious, but also the most hardy and strong.
Getting ready for extreme tourism
First of all, you should buy a winter suit for fishing "Alaska". Tackles will be issued on the spot. As already mentioned, it is better to plan a trip from May to September.
Getting a visa - the procedure is standard and takes 5 to 10 days, consular fee 160 dollars. We include flights, accommodation, meals, excursions, equipment rental (gear and boats, a car and a helicopter) in the budget, and we get an amount of about 4-5 thousand dollars.
We take a good mood and start dreaming about how to catch our biggest fish in the warm winter Alaska for fishing.
What else to see
Fishing in Alaska is not the only attraction for active tourists.
Fisheries anglers will be interested in the annual Seward Halibut tournament on the Seward Peninsula. It involves more than 4 thousand fishermen. By the way, in 2014, a team from Russia won this tournament.
Going on a cruise along the Prince William Bay, you will see 26 glaciers, seals rookeries, meet whales.
Extreme trekking on the Spencer Glacier is only for the most daring and decisive.
On buggies (open SUVs) you can ride on amazing forest roads, and having rented kayaks, consider glaciers nearby.
Well, remember, it is impossible to visit Alaska and not see a bear. Young individuals can be seen in the morning at the gas station, where they come from the forest just for fun. Bears here are not aggressive unless teased. And yet, on each payphone there is a memo for tourists on how to behave when meeting with clubfoot.
And you will always be surrounded by mountains of unimaginable beauty, forest, glaciers. In the lakes, the water is unusually beautiful in color, and small rivers are fast. This land of virgin nature will leave an indelible impression of meeting deer, observing sea lions at the rookery, and, of course, the dream come true of the biggest fish.