About Alaskan King Salmon Fishing
King salmon fishing in Alaska typically takes place from June to as late as August on Alaskan rivers, and this is considered peak running time for the fish. During peak season, the fish are quite aggressive and put up a tremendous fight, though they're not as acrobatic as their silver salmon cousins. King salmon are also much larger than other fish in the region and can break a weak line if you hook a king weighing more than 60 pounds.
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King Salmon Appearance
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King salmon are the biggest among the five Pacific salmon native to Alaskan waters. Sometimes referred to as Blackmouth, Chinook, Quinnat, Tyee or Tule, the king salmon are bluish-grey with iridescent slivery sides when in ocean waters. During spawning, the salmon change from sliver to bright red, and the males typically develop a hooked feature on the nose called a kype. Full grown king salmon generally weigh in between 25 and 35 pounds, and are 10 to 15 inches long. Larger kings can weigh up to 65 pounds, and the Alaskan record is 97 pounds, 4 ounces.
Licensing and Stamps
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Fishing for Alaskan king salmon requires a state issued fishing license and a king salmon stamp. Fishermen younger than 16 or older than 60 aren't required to have a king salmon stamp. Fishermen are required to keep their license and stamp on their person while out fishing for king salmon.
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Bait
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Salmon roe or eggs is the best bait. The roe is typically tied to a orange "corky" just above the hook, and often fishermen tie a second hook above the cork to increase chances of landing a king. Many Alaskan fishermen use the roe of caught salmon as they fish to avoid having to buy the roe. The use of salmon roe is not allowed at certain times of the season. When roe is prohibited, the use of a lure such as a Magnum Wiggle Wart is very successful in catching the kings.
Essential Rods and Reels
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A heavy rod is recommended when fishing for king salmon. The fish can put up a fight, so at least a 30- to 40-pound test line is essential. Baitcasting reels are good for catching the kings. Though open face reels are fine to use, baitcasters have a greater drag value and a longer casting capacity than regular spinning reels.
Fishing for King Salmon
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The season dates for king salmon fishing are different on a few rivers, but typically June and July are the peak dates to fish for kings. The best areas to fish are in main currents, deeper river channels and in river bends near pooling water and strong eddies. King salmon also tend to hold near large rocks, usually in front or behind them depending on the current. Fly fishing for kings in shallow water is also performed by a few seasoned fishermen, but this type of angling takes a lot of practice and is much harder than fishing with basic rod and reel.
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