Ask the Pro's: Fishing Trip With Kids Ages 6 & 10

I think basing your fishing trip out of Anchorage is a good option. Anchorage has all the amenities you would ever need and you are only 2 hours from good fishing in Anchorage, both North and South of town. If you wanted to drive up to Denali to see McKinley, it's a 4 hour drive.

Your timing will be fine for halibut and trout fishing, but you will be between Sockeye Salmon runs on the Kenai, so and upper river float won't provide great salmon fishing. You could go North of Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley, there will be pink and Chums that direction. Most of that fishing will be bank fishing do to the size of rivers. You could do a guided trip to the Deshka, but this would not be a fly fishing trip.

If you are basing out of Anchorage, a float fishing trip down the Kenai River would be a great option for all of you. Your 6 year old, while being young, can still have a great time fishing from a drift boat with a spinning rod setup. The Kenai will provide great trout fishing and depending on your timing good salmon fishing…and there are many quality Kenai River Fishing Guides to choose from. Then from the Cooper Landing area, you are a short hop over to Seward for halibut fishing. In Seward you can book a halibut trip and again based on your timing, a Combo Halibut/Salmon fishing trip.

You could also do something similar if you were looking at going down to Homer, but your options are more limited on the fresh water fishing. The Kasilof would provide a drift boat float, but it would be primarily salmon and little trout. Bank fishing could be a challenge for the youngster, but it is an option.

Another option is to base your fishing trip out of Soldotna and fish the lower Kenai for Sockeye, but you will have a 3 to 4 hour drive to Deep Creek or Homer for a halibut charter.

Anything we can do to help or any questions you would like more answers to, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thanks - Mike

Hey Courtney! I'd be glad to help you plan your fishing trip with your boys :)

The first thing to consider is that most Saltwater and Freshwater guide services operate independently, but don't let that discourage you. With fishing Alaska with younger kids, the most appropriate trips for them might be a half day of ocean fishing and a half day of river fishing.

Depending on what time of year you are visiting, the ocean fishing could include Halibut, but it is not always guaranteed; however, fishing for rock fish and salmon can be a lot of fun.

River fishing varies, but there is generally a lot of fun to be had here as well. Everything from salmon fishing to catch and release for Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. Kids tend to have a lot of fun in the river environment. Since you generally float for 6+ miles, there is a lot to see along the way (which keeps them interested).

Hopefully this helps and I hope you have a great time in Alaska with your boys!

Courtney,

Congrats on your upcoming trip to Alaska with you family! You and your family will have an absolute blast with all our great state has to offer. With your boys experience at such a young age they should do pretty good with the fishing up here. Even for halibut! Trust me even fit strong adults take help from anyone when battling a big halibut so it would be no different for your boys. Some charter outfits do have age restrictions so make sure you let the outfits know the ages of your boys. Another good option for fishing is fresh water options, there are countless small streams that hold a variety of fish. I would try to schedule your trip for mid-summer, mid July through mid August. This is when the most fish are present in freshwater systems and who doesn't like a lot of fish! It's also a good time for saltwater species as well. Again congrats on your trip and if you have anymore questions please reach out to us through "My Alaskan Fishing Trip" or my company at FishHound Expeditions.

Cheers, - Adam

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