Those who love fun vacations have no shortage of options for great family trips, both throughout the US and abroad. You will easily find recreational activities that everyone will love. However, for the fishing enthusiast, nothing beats an expedition on the spell-binding Alaskan waters.

If you want to go rainbow trout fishing, Alaska is the place to be. With its pristine wilderness and seemingly untouched waters, the fish are available in abundance.

But, before you plan your next or first fishing trip to the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, keep reading for some tips and tricks that will help your fishing expedition go a little smoother.

Be Aware of Your Fishing Seasons

Rainbow trout season in Alaska runs from June 15 to Oct 31 – however where the trout are running depends on the year and the river you select. For more information, you can ask your guide to help you find the best trout fishing spots, or you can consult the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Have a Guide

Having a guide is not only safe, but it’s also smart. This is a person who can help you find the best spots for fishing, assist in navigating the waters and river systems of Alaska and give you helpful tips and tricks on rainbow trout fishing. Alaska fishing guides and lodges are everywhere, but choosing the right one can be critical for your overall experience.

Ideally, you want a guide who provides you with equipment, safety gear, accommodations, supplies and experience. Some recommended and locally respected companies include Puffin Alaska Fishing Charters, Alaska NW Charters, and Alaska Outdoor Adventures.

While researching prospective guides online is a great idea, you should always call the person or lodge and speak to them directly before you book. You’ll likely be committing several days in a boat with this individual, so you want to make sure you get a positive vibe and a sense that the person meshes with your fishing personality.

Get Your License

Typically, most guides will either arrange your license for you or possess a blanket license that covers you as a passenger of their boats. If you’re not heading out with a guide who does this, you’ll need to purchase your own license from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can buy it online and should expect to pay $55 for a weeklong license or $145 for yearly access to the Alaskan waters.

In addition to obtaining a license, you must follow several other state rules and regulations regarding sport fishing. For example, you can’t sell fish that were caught by sport fishing, nor can you export them unless they’re properly prepared for transport. You’re also limited in the type of equipment you can use. To review these regulations, contact the Fish and Game office directly or check out their website.

Pack Smart

Typically, your guide or lodge will supply you with your gear and equipment for fishing. However, you may have to bring your own waders or certain small supplies. Before you depart, you should ask your lodge or guide to supply you with a packing list that’s season specific. Regardless, when packing for Alaska, you need to be prepared for any weather system.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Fishing Trips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.