Fishing in Petersburg Alaska, The Ultimate Guide

Petersburg, Alaska—often called ‘Little Norway’ for its strong Norwegian heritage—offers a wide variety of excellent and unique fishing opportunities. It sits in the heart of southeast Alaska, right in the middle of the Tongass, America’s largest national forest.

While most know Petersburg for its prime location along the famed Inside Passage, it remains a hidden gem for fishing. Whether you’re exploring untouched, wild streams for trout and steelhead or seeking a saltwater fishing adventure, Petersburg offers something for every angler.

In this guide, we’ll explore why Petersburg is a top fishing destination, the different types of fishing you can enjoy, the best times to fish, and tips to make the most of your trip.

Why Fish in Petersburg, Alaska

There is no shortage of why fishing in Petersburg is so special. Below are only a few of the top reasons to explore the opportunities here.

Unique and Diverse Fishing

We’ll get into this in more detail later in the post, but Petersburg has just about every time of fishing an angler could want. And it isn’t just about the different types of fishing available, but the different locations and areas.

You could spend a lifetime here and not see everything that this incredible place has to offer.

Scenic Beauty

Petersburg is a charming small town that is surrounded by snow capped peaks and thick forest. Vast areas of untouched wilderness in every direction adds to the adventure of any fishing experience. Imagine fog and mist rolling off of enormous old growth Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock. One day you might be in the middle of a forest and the next you may be looking at giant icebergs from a nearby glacier.

For many people, fishing is a way to reconnect with nature. And between the views and easy access to nearby natural beauty you are guaranteed to unplug and enjoy your day for much more than just the fish caught.

Abundant Wildlife

One of the biggest perks of southeast Alaska and fishing in Petersburg, Alaska is being near the ocean. Everyday you are out on the water, whether you are fishing in the saltwater or just commuting to a nearby river, you could see whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and more.

On land and walking along the rivers you will be sharing the land with brown bears, black bears, wolves, moose, and deer. With our multi-day liveaboard trips guests have the best of both worlds. Being immersed where the wildlife is. As the day ends, or begins, we will be anchored up increasing the ability to spot wildlife.

Away From Crowds

One of the key advantages of fishing in Petersburg is its laid-back, uncrowded atmosphere. While other popular Alaskan fishing destinations attract large numbers of tourists, Petersburg remains a more secluded, lesser-known option.

This gives anglers a more personal and immersive experience, with fewer boats and lines in the water, allowing you to truly connect with nature and enjoy the serenity of the Alaskan wilderness.

Types of Fishing in Petersburg Alaska

As we mentioned, there are a lot of choices when looking for fish in Petersburg, Alaska. To make the right choice for you, it’s important to understand what is available.

Fly Fishing in Petersburg

We may be a little biased, but this is our favorite thing to do in the area. There are dozens and dozens of rivers, ranging from big to small, that all have fish – and a lot of them.

Depending on the fishing, tides, weather, and a few other factors we can drive, boat, or fly into some incredible, wild places. Here are some of the species we can target.

Steelhead

The pinnacle of all fishing species. It doesn’t get any better than hooking a wild Alaskan steelhead on the fly. Dreaming of these fish is what helps get us through each winter…and once the run is over we’re already looking forward to the next.

Although steelhead might be highest on the list, it doesn’t mean the others aren’t worth chasing.

Salmon

We have all five Pacific salmon species returning to the rivers around Petersburg. While we do some King fishing locally, we don’t target wild King Salmon. It’s a complex topic, but we believe leaving these fish alone when they return to their spawning grounds is what’s best for our fisheries.

The other four we love going out and catching. Silvers, Chum, Pinks, and Sockeye are all available and make for some great days out on the water.

Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden, a type of char, are abundant in Petersburg’s rivers and lakes. These colorful fish are known for their aggressive nature, and are often eager to take a fly. They can be caught most of the year, but where they are changes throughout the year.

As it gets later into the fall, they begin to turn beautiful colors. They put up a strong fight and are sure to impress anyone who hooks one.

Sea-run Cutthroat Trout

Maybe some of the most beautiful fish that we target, sea-run cutthroat are anadromous and spend time out in saltwater as well as freshwater. They are aggressive feeders striking hard and fast they can also be eager to take a topwater fly. Once hooked, they can put on a great aerial show.

Sea-run cutthroat have a wide range of colorations. Sometimes they are very silver with almost no orange slit on the “throat”, where other times they can be a dark color with beautiful spots and a bright orange cut. Most of these fish will be around 14-16 inches with some getting over 20 inches.

Saltwater Fishing in Petersburg

Petersburg’s saltwater fishing is a major attraction for those seeking the thrill of ocean fish like salmon and halibut. Here’s a breakdown of the best saltwater fishing opportunities:

Salmon

Petersburg has excellent saltwater salmon fishing with opportunities to catch all five species. The King (Chinook) salmon run is a highlight for anglers, typically peaking in June and July. As we stated earlier, there is still some King retention but it has been quickly changing over the last few years.

Coho (Silver) salmon runs occur later in the season, from August through September, and are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic leaps, offering an exhilarating fishing experience.

Halibut

Halibut is another major draw for saltwater anglers. These large, flat fish can weigh anywhere from 10 to over 200 pounds. Halibut fishing is best from May through September, and these powerful fish provide a thrilling fight and a hefty reward at the end.

Popular halibut fishing spots near Petersburg include Frederick Sound and the surrounding areas. Halibut are also considered some of the best eating fish.

Rockfish

Rockfish is a broad term that covers a lot of different species. Because of regulations and changing limits it’s a great idea to hire a guide or charter service to help identify them all.

These are also excellent eating fish, and some of them can live to 100 years or more!

Best Times to Fish in Petersburg Alaska

The fishing season in Petersburg varies depending on the species you’re targeting and the type of fishing you prefer. Here’s a general guide to the best times for different types of fishing:

Steelhead – April to May

Coho (Silver) Salmon – September to October

Dolly Varden and Sea-run Cutthroat – March through October

Halibut – Mid May through September

Rockfish – May through September

Planning your trip around these peak times will ensure you have the best chance of landing the fish you’re after.

Fishing Tips for Petersburg Alaska

Here are a few tips to make sure you have the best fishing trip possible . Following these will help as you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Hire a Local Guide

Yes, you’re reading this advice from an outfitter, but we strongly believe in this one. Petersburg and the surrounding areas offer some extremely exciting fishing opportunities and adventures, but it can be a challenge to figure it out.

This one goes beyond the fishing, there are a lot of other things that are important to know here. Tides, weather patterns, local wildlife are all things that can make or break a trip. Accessibility isn’t always easy and sometimes that can be the greatest value of a local guide or outfitter. Plus we’ll have all the gear you need…

Be Prepared for Weather

Southeast Alaska is a temperate rainforest, which means the likelihood for wet weather is high. You might see moderate temperatures in the forecast, but because of the dampness, it can feel much colder than what the thermometer says.

Make sure you have gear to stay dry and dress in layers. The weather changes quickly, so being prepared is key to your success.

Respect Wildlife

While fishing, you’ll likely encounter a variety of wildlife, from sea otters and whales to bears and eagles. Be respectful of their space and always practice responsible fishing techniques, including following local regulations and catch-and-release practices when appropriate.

Get the Right Gear

Depending on the type of fishing you’re doing, make sure to bring the appropriate gear. For salmon and halibut, you’ll need heavier tackle, while fly rods and lighter gear are best for trout and smaller species.

We can help provide all the gear you need when you book a trip with us.

Conclusion

Fishing in Petersburg, Alaska is still a hidden gem. There aren’t many places in the world that an angler can experience the type of fishing you can here. Whether you are looking for an escape into wild country to chase beautiful trout, or you’re hoping to catch a rare wild steelhead, you can find it here.

Combined with the saltwater opportunities, beautiful surroundings, and wildlife viewing it’s sure to create memories for the rest of your life.