Alaska is famous for its abundant salmon runs Each summer, millions of salmon return from the ocean to spawn in Alaskan rivers and streams Witnessing these incredible fish make their annual journey is a unique experience not to be missed. In this article, we’ll highlight the top places in Alaska to see salmon runs and view these amazing fish in action.
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge – Potter Marsh
Located just south of Anchorage, the Potter Marsh section of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge provides excellent salmon viewing opportunities from late July through early September. A boardwalk trail loops through the marsh, offering prime viewing spots to see sockeye, coho, and chum salmon swimming upstream. Early mornings and evenings tend to be best for spotting salmon here.
Indian Creek Along Turnagain Arm
Salmon return to spawn in Indian Creek from late July through September There are several pullouts along the Seward Highway near Indian Creek where people can park and watch the salmon run The creek flows under the highway in a few spots, providing easy salmon viewing. Early mornings when the tide is rising are often best.
Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform in Portage Valley
This excellent viewing platform in Portage Valley lets you safely watch salmon make their way up Williwaw Creek to Portage Lake The platform is ADA accessible Salmon viewing is good here from late July into September. The crowds are often lighter than other salmon viewing spots near Anchorage.
Tern Lake
Tern Lake, located inside Chugach State Park near Anchorage, is a beautiful destination to see salmon runs. There are two prime viewing spots – one at the outlet of the lake where the salmon congregate before moving upstream, and a small footbridge over the inlet stream. Prime viewing is from mid-July through early September.
Quartz Creek
From the middle of July to the beginning of September, Quartz Creek near Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula is the best place to see salmon. It is possible for anyone to get to the creek and follow the trails there. From there, you can watch the salmon swim upstream to spawn. Morning and evenings are often best.
Russian River
The Russian River near Cooper Landing attracts huge salmon runs in summer. You can safely watch salmon gather in the river before they move upstream from boardwalk trails with viewing areas. Prime viewing is from late June into early September. Early mornings and evenings tend to be best.
Kenai River Mouth Dipnetting Harvest
For an alternative salmon viewing experience, head to the mouth of the Kenai River near Kenai City in mid-July to watch the personal use dipnetting fishery. Thousands of people use large dipnets to catch sockeye salmon swimming upriver to spawn. It’s quite a sight!
William Jack Hernandez Fish Hatchery
As part of its education program, this hatchery near Anchorage lets people see salmon from the middle of July to the beginning of September. Outside tanks have windows that let people see the salmon coming back to the hatchery before the eggs are collected.
“Salmon” is the word on the lips of many Alaskans in the summer, from the first run of kings in May to the last run of silvers at the end of the season. If they’re not planning a fishing trip, they’re scheming up ways to fill their freezer. Simply put, salmon is part of the lifeblood of the 49th state. Though if you’re not interested in donning a pair of waders and XtraTuf neoprene boots to wade into Alaska’s chilly rivers and streams, here’s our list of top places to watch the salmon runs.
Ship Creek flows from the Chugach Mountains into Cook Inlet by the Port and through the middle of downtown Anchorage. It is the only place in the world where you can fish for king salmon. During summer months, you’ll see anglers combat fishing shoulder-to-shoulder – some clearly still wearing their work attire. There are a few bridges and platforms where you can watch the salmon fight their way upstream to spawn.
There are about 2,200 brown bears in Katmai National Park, so most people think of bears when they think of the park. But the best time to see bears is when the salmon are running. From June to September, sockeyes swim up the Brooks River and feed the bears. You can watch salmon try to jump over small waterfalls and bears patiently look for food here.
Kenai and Kasilof Rivers
The mouths of these rivers are too murky and deep to see the different kinds of salmon moving upstream to spawn, but you will see people pulling fish out of the water. When the Alaska Department of Fish and Game opens the rivers to dipnetting, people who have lived in Alaska for a full year can stand in the water with a 5-foot-wide net on a pole and catch fish that swim into it. This is the most interesting time to be a spectator. If the dipnetters caught a run when the tides changed, they might catch another fish every few minutes. However, many Alaskans have stories about the time they had two or more fish in their net at once.
The Salmon’s Life Mission | Destination WILD
FAQ
Where is the salmon run in Alaska?
What time of year do salmon run in Alaska?
Where do salmon swim upstream in Alaska?
Where can you see salmon in Alaska?
Here you’ll find one of the most accessible wildlife viewing areas in Alaska with a reliable salmon-watching venue. You’ll often find fish in clear pools right off the 1,550-foot family-friendly boardwalk system. Take the leg that parallels the highway until you reach the channel of Rabbit Creek, from mid-June on.
When do Alaska salmon runs start?
Alaska salmon runs extend from May through October. Fresh water runs typcially begin in mid-May with the arrival of King (Chinook) Salmon, followed by Sockeye runs from June through August. As the season heats up, Pink and Chum salmon runs get into full swing in July and fishing remains strong through late August.
When do pink salmon run in Alaska?
The following tables list the historic dates and peak activity for Pink salmon in Alaska. Begins early to mid-July and runs through mid-August. On even years Pink salomon are abundant. Early July through mid-August on even years. Peak availability is from mid-July through August. Pink salmon runs only occur on even numbered years.
Where to fish in Alaska?
This region encompasses Southern Southeast Alaska south of the Frederick Sound including Ketchikan, Prince of Wales Island, and Petersburg. Some of the more popular spots for fishing King salmon include Mountain Point, Herring Cove, Dall Head, Cone Island, Helm Bay, Lucky Cove, Alava Point, and Mary Islands.