The Commercial Fishery
Alaska's commercial salmon fishery employs thousands of fishermen and supports coastal communities throughout the state. The industry brings hundreds of millions of dollars into Alaska's economy each year while providing premium seafood to markets worldwide.
Fishing Methods
- Gillnetting: Nets suspended vertically in the water entangle salmon by their gills. Used in Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet, and other areas.
- Seining: Large nets encircle schools of salmon, drawing them together for harvest. Common in Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound.
- Trolling: Individual lines with multiple hooks catch salmon one at a time. Produces premium quality fish, primarily Chinook and Coho.
Bristol Bay: World's Largest Sockeye Fishery
Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska hosts the world's largest wild salmon run. Each summer, tens of millions of sockeye salmon return to spawn in the rivers feeding the bay. In peak years, over 60 million salmon enter Bristol Bay, creating a natural spectacle and economic boom that has sustained the region for over a century.
The Bristol Bay fishery is considered a model of sustainable management. Despite intense commercial harvest, escapement goals are met consistently, ensuring healthy salmon populations year after year.
Copper River: Premium King and Red Salmon
The Copper River in Southcentral Alaska produces salmon considered by many to be the finest in the world. The long, cold, swift river forces returning salmon to store exceptional amounts of fat for their journey, resulting in incredibly rich, flavorful fish.
Each May, the season's first Copper River Chinook and Sockeye are flown fresh to markets across the country, commanding premium prices from restaurants and discerning consumers.
Southeast Alaska: Trollers and Tradition
The waters of Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage support a unique troll fishery where fishermen catch salmon one at a time on individual lines. This careful method produces the highest quality fish, handled individually and immediately iced or frozen.
Sport Fishing Adventures
Alaska offers world-class salmon sport fishing opportunities. From fly-fishing wilderness streams to charter boat adventures, anglers come from around the world to experience Alaska's legendary runs.
Top Destinations
- Kenai River: Famous for trophy Chinook salmon, some exceeding 90 pounds
- Bristol Bay Rivers: Unparalleled sockeye fishing and pristine wilderness
- Kodiak Island: All five salmon species plus incredible scenery
- Southeast Alaska: Rainforest streams and abundant salmon runs
Subsistence Fishing
For Alaska's indigenous peoples and rural residents, salmon remains a vital food source. Subsistence fishing rights are protected under state and federal law, acknowledging the cultural and nutritional importance of salmon to communities that have depended on these fish for millennia.
The Fishing Life
Working on an Alaska salmon boat remains demanding, often dangerous work. Fishermen brave challenging conditions in remote waters during brief, intense seasons. Many fishing families have passed boats and permits through generations, maintaining traditions while adapting to changing conditions and markets.
When you choose wild Alaska salmon, you support these fishermen, their families, and the coastal communities that depend on healthy salmon runs. For official fishing information, see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fishing.
Learn about sustainable fishing or explore salmon species.