Planning an Alaska fishing trip is all about timing—hitting the water when your target species are running strong, hungry, and plentiful. Here in Hoonah, surrounded by the pristine waters of Icy Strait and Southeast Alaska’s rugged coastline, we’re blessed with some of the most consistent and exciting multi-species fishing in the state.
At Game Creek Guides, we specialize in getting you on the fish during our peak season from May through September. Whether you’re chasing hard-fighting coho, Alaska’s renowned halibut, or going after trout with the finesse that light tackle and fly fishing offer, understanding the seasonal patterns can help you choose the perfect dates for limits and lifelong memories.
Below is a quick overview of prime windows for our top species, followed by more details on runs, water conditions, and why certain weeks consistently produce incredible fishing.
Pacific Halibut
Season: May through September, with excellent fishing throughout the entire season.
Halibut are available as soon as we launch in May, and the bite stays strong all summer long. Early season (May–June) often produces bigger “barn doors” as these massive fish move into shallower feeding grounds. As the season progresses into July and August, the numbers become incredible—perfect for filling limits quickly.
Mid-summer typically brings calm seas and moderate tides, which makes drifting or anchoring extremely productive. It’s common to see days where everyone aboard the boat lands impressive halibut.
Black Cod (Sablefish) in the Hoonah / Icy Strait Area
Black cod—more accurately called sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)—is one of the most prized catches in Southeast Alaska waters. Despite the name, it isn’t actually a true cod. This deep-water species is famous for its incredibly rich, buttery texture, which has earned it the nickname “butterfish.”
Sablefish are highly valued for their high Omega-3 content and their delicate, velvety white flesh that practically melts in your mouth. They’re exceptional when smoked, miso-glazed, grilled, or baked.
Habitat and Fishing in Our Area
Sablefish live in deep water, typically between 700 and 3,000+ feet along the continental slope. In the waters around Icy Strait and Hoonah, we target them using heavy jigs or bait such as herring and squid.
They are also occasionally caught as bonus bycatch while fishing for halibut or lingcod. Electric reels make these deep drops manageable and surprisingly fun.
Most fish run 5–15 pounds, although trophy fish over 30 pounds do show up from time to time.
Season: Available year-round in deep water, but most commonly targeted during our May–September charter season when weather conditions allow safe offshore runs.
Coho Salmon (Silver)
Season: July through September, with peak action from mid-August to early September.
Coho salmon are the acrobats of Alaska’s salmon species. They jump, run, and fight aggressively, making them one of the most exciting fish to catch on light tackle.
Coho typically arrive in strong numbers as the king salmon season begins to taper off. By late summer, large schools flood the straits, feeding aggressively on massive herring balls near the surface.
The final two weeks of August and the first week of September are legendary in the Hoonah and Icy Strait area. Strong tidal rips concentrate bait and salmon, creating explosive fishing opportunities and fast action.
For anglers who enjoy river fishing, coho also begin entering nearby streams in the last week of August, and the run can continue well into late September.