Fishing in Seward: A Must-Do Summer Activity in Alaska

Seward, Alaska, a picturesque coastal town nestled at the edge of Resurrection Bay, is often referred to as the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park and a prime destination for those looking to immerse themselves in one of Alaska’s most beloved summer activities: fishing. With its rich marine ecosystems, unparalleled scenic beauty, and a diverse range of fishing tours, Seward promises an unforgettable fishing experience for both novice and seasoned anglers alike.

I have never fished before and decided to try it out in Seward as part of my Alaska roadtrip this year. It did not disappoint. I got loads of fish as well as an experience of a lifetime. For visitors like me, joining a fishing tour with a charter company is the easiest way to delve into Seward’s aquatic wonderland. I joined a salmon fishing tour at the end of July on a weekend. Although it was rainy and crowded, it was a new, fun, and rewarding experience.

Fishing Requirements in Seward

In Seward, like the rest of Alaska, there are strict regulations to ensure sustainable fishing. Alaskans respect nature and take the rules of the land and water seriously. This impressed me the most during my entire Alaska roadtrip.

First, the Alaska fishing license is a must-have for anyone aged 16 or older who wishes to fish in its waters. These licenses are readily available online, at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office, many local retail stores in Seward, or your tour companies when you check in. Prices vary depending on residency status and duration, with options ranging from a one-day license to an annual one.

Second, depending on the type of fish you aim to catch, the permit limits the number of catches you can get everyday (i.e., the bag limit). For example, for my salmon fishing trip in Seward, I was allowed only 3 silver salmon plus 3 rockfish per day. And I could not fish both salmon and halibut because my fishing trip was dedicated to salmon. For specific species like the king salmon, an additional stamp is mandatory. It’s always a good idea to check the regulations booklet or the department’s website for detailed, up-to-date information on seasons, bag and possession limits, and any special restrictions.

Lastly, party fishing is frowned upon in Alaska. Party fishing is the practice where anglers on a boat pool their catch to avoid limits. For example, my friend and I had a quota of 6 salmon catches in total. If he only got 2, I could not help him fish the last one if I have already reached my daily limit of 3.

Popular Fishing Tour Companies in Seward

Tour Companies

Given the popularity of fishing in Seward, numerous charter companies offer fishing tours. Here’re a few popular ones. They are all very experienced tour companies and their prices are similar, so the deterministic factor of which one to choose is usually availability. Make sure to book as early as possible because fishing tours are in demand for both tourists and locals during summertime.

ProFish-n-Sea Charters: This outfit is often lauded for its seasoned captains and state-of-the-art boats. They specialize in both salmon and halibut fishing trips, ensuring you have a diverse and productive day out on the water. This’s also the company I chose, or rather the only one that I could find with availability for my selected date.
Crackerjack Sportfishing Charters: Renowned for their professionalism and knowledge, Crackerjack promises not just a fishing trip, but an education in the local marine ecosystem.
Aurora Charters: Perfect for those who wish to blend their love for fishing with some wildlife viewing. Apart from fishing, they offer scenic tours around Resurrection Bay and beyond, enhancing the Alaskan experience.

Types of Tours

All of them offer both full-day and half-day trips. Full-day trips usually last 8-10 hours and start around 6-7am. You will have a better chance of a bigger catch and exploring deeper waters. Half-day tours last about 4-6 hours and are great options for those who have motion sickness or limited time.

Unfortunately, none of them are dog friendly. In fact, I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring dogs on these fishing trips anyway. First, the space on the boat is limited. There’s not much room for dogs to play. Also, the big waves may give them motion sickness. Lastly, you want to focus on fishing and won’t have much time with your dog. So Ariel waited in our RV. It was a long day, but the weather was cool and rainy. I devoted all my time to her before and after the tour. So it worked out well.

Types of Fishes in Seward

Each fishing tour typically targets one type of fish. Here are the primary species and the best times to catch them.

Halibut: Late May through September.
King (Chinook) Salmon: May to July, with peak season typically in June.
Silver (Coho) Salmon: Late July through September, peaking in August.
Pink (Humpy) Salmon: July and August
Sockeye (Red) Salmon: June to July
Rockfish: June through August

Note that the exact time of fishing these species may differ year by year and the best time to fish in Seward will be different from the best times in other areas of Alaska. It’s better to check with the tour company you choose and ask for recommendations.

Scenic Beauty of Seward and Kenai Fjords

The beauty of fishing in Seward is that it’s not just about the catch. The journey itself, through some of Alaska’s most scenic landscapes, is equally rewarding. From witnessing the calving of glaciers in the distance to admiring the lively Kenai Fjords, nature’s marvels are endless. Towering granite cliffs, cloaked in verdant moss and mist, rise dramatically from the ocean, providing sanctuary for myriad nesting seabirds. Amidst the symphony of crashing waves and echoing bird calls, the fjords stand as a serene and untouched paradise. I even spotted numerous humpback whales breaching in the sapphire waters of the fjords, a surreal scene I will never forget.

Fishing Tour Schedule

Using my full-day salmon fishing tour with ProFish-n-Sea Charters as an example, this’s what you can expect on your tour date.

Departing Early in the Morning

Given that full-day fishing tours typically last 8-10 hours, they start early in the morning around 6-7am. My check-in was at 6:15am on the tour date. And that’s when I made the payment and got my boat number. All fishing tour companies are conveniently located at the harbor of Seward, right next to the downtown area and Resurrection Bay campgrounds. After check-in, I walked to the port, find my boat, and greet my captain. He asked for my fishing permit on board. After all parties arrived, we headed to the sea.

The boat was a small, two-story vessel. The upper level had a small indoor space with only 6 passenger seats and the captain’s driver seat. It also had an outdoor deck in the front and the back. The fishing area was at the back. There were about 6 fishing pole holders on the hand rails and 12 fishing poles hung on the top of the boat. The lower level was indoor and had a portable toilet. We also used it as storage.

It took about 1-2 hours from the harbor to our first fishing spot. Our captain drove fast through wild waves on a rainy day. I had to remain seated and hold on to the seat handles. Otherwise, I could easily be thrown into the air by the bumpy ride. After a while, the rhythmic rise and fall became a heartbeat. The boat and sea intertwined in a powerful embrace. Salty spray misted the air, tasting of wild oceans and adventures unknown.

Mastering the Art of Salmon Fishing

After we stopped, the captain taught us how to use the fishing pole and how to fish salmon while handing out baits. The technique was to slowly cast the bait into the water and then slowly roll it back. The key was to keep the bait moving so that salmon would mistake it for a fish. After the salmon bit, we would hold the pole more firmly and follow the move of the salmon, nice and easy, to tire it out. Then we would slowly roll it up towards the surface of the water at which point the captain would help net it for us.

It was not easy because Alaskan salmon was huge, averaging 9-16 lbs. Rolling it up from the water while following its moves required strength from your arms and cores. In addition, it was rainy and cold, almost freezing when we were close to glaciers. After fishing for 6-8 hours, my wrists and arms were tired and sore. After we got the fish to the deck, the captain would knock it out, leave a mark on the fish to represent the catcher, and put it into storage.

Taking Breaks and Staying Patient

Our captain repositioned the boat every 20-30 minutes by using his radar to find better spots with more fish. Other than that, we didn’t stop or take any breaks. It also seemed no one wanted to take breaks. We were all very focused and determined at catching all we could. So every time the boat repositioned was my time for water, snacks, and lunch.

Some of us were more experienced at fishing or got really lucky. They reached their limit in the first 2-3 hours and had to stop fishing at that point. I, on the other hand, didn’t have any luck at catching salmon in the first 4-5 hours at all. I almost lost my hope and got disappointed. But my captain was patient and hopeful. He repositioned the boat more frequently and dropped more baits into the water around my hook. Towards the last two hours of the tour, I started to get salmon. No word could describe my joy and sense of achievement when I saw the silver fish flip on the deck in front of me. It was nature’s reward of hard work and perseverance.

Catching Other Fishes

Although we targeted salmon, it’s unavoidable that we would catch other types of fishes. On top of our salmon limit, we were also allowed 3 rockfish per person per day, and we had to let go other types of fishes. I was really good at catching rockfish and got 7-8 of them (and of course kept only 3). They were surprisingly big. So for a few times, I mistook them for salmon after they bit and got disappointed after pulling them up from the water. I also caught a rotting salmon which returned to the ocean from freshwater. Instead of silver, its skin was purple and green-ish. I had to let it go. Other group members also got halibut and lingcod. Seward waters proved to be a treasure trove teeming with abundant aquatic species.

Returning to Seward Harbor and Fish Processing

After all of us reached our daily limit, it was about time to return which was another 1-2 hours of wild ride with big waves. After we got back to the harbor, the captain hung all of our fish under the iconic sign of the Harbor of Seward and we took pictures. He then processed the fishes into filets for us. Then it’s up to us how we wanted to take them home.

Captain Jack’s Seafood Locker at the harbor helps seal, freeze and ship processed fishes. It seems to be the default partner of all fishing tour companies in Seward. Its shipping is very costly (almost as expensive as the fishing trip). So most people choose to seal and freeze the fish, pick up the next day, and bring it onto their return flight. Including the time we waited for pictures and fish processing, the entire tour took about 12 hours door to door.

What to Bring for Your Fishing Trip

Other than enough food and water as well as cash for tipping, the following are my recommendations to bring to your fishing trip in Seward.

Motion Sickness Prevention

To me, both Dramamine pills and motion sickness prevention patches are a must. And I had both for my trip. Thanks to them, I was fine. But some people in my group were less lucky. One of them even passed out after we reached the first fishing spot due to motion sickness. And she couldn’t fish at all during the entire trip. Another guy vomited the entire way. I was surprised he was still able to fish and reach his daily limit. No matter whether you are prone to motion sickness or not, don’t underestimate the power of the ocean and be prepared.

Clothes and Accessories

Layers of clothes and preferably rain jacket: Rainy weather is very common in Seward even during summertime. And weather at the sea could be very different from that at the harbor. Especially when you are close to glaciers at the fjords, it could be freezing. So I highly recommend warm clothes in layers.
Waterproof shoes: I find them necessary because every time the captain helps you net the fish and carry it back to the boat deck, the fish is wet and will flip violently. It’s almost certain your shoes will get wet. Wearing a pair of waterproof shoes will keep you warm at all times.
Waterproof gloves: I regretted I didn’t bring mine for my trip. My hands were freezing after exposed in cold air and rain for hours. Even if it’s sunny, a pair of gloves will prevent you from getting wet and blistered when pulling fishes out of the sea.
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses: I didn’t have to worry about sunscreen because I fished on a rainy day. But I could imagine it would be brutal to be exposed to the sun for 8-10 hours if it were sunny.
Camera and extra batteries

Fishing in Seward: A Must-Do Summer Activity in Alaska

Fishing Requirements in Seward