Alaskan trips are dream vacations for anglers. Modern Alaska has lower prices than other popular U.S. destinations, according to the National Consumer Price Index. Many people save money with guide-led tours, while others pinch pennies on self-guided adventures. There are several ways to take a cheap fishing trip in Alaska.
Depending on where you plan to fish on your Alaska trip, you may be able to save money on in-state transportation. Fishing locations in the Anchorage area (south central Alaska) and Fairbanks (interior Alaska) are cheaper to get to because they have accessible roads. The south central area includes the Kenai River, which is a very popular fishing location.
The inside passage in southeast Alaska typically requires a boat charter. Areas that require air taxis and charters include the Alaskan bush, southwestern and northern Alaska. If you want to save money, then try to fish in the areas where you won't have to rent a charter boat or plane.
If you do want to fish in remote, inaccessible-by-car locations, there are ways to save money on your charter boat or plane. Consider sharing the charter plane or boat with other fishermen or hunters to cut costs. Another way to save money on the overall trip costs is to plan a guided tour trip. While you will pay a large flat amount up-front, your accommodations, food, transportation and fishing gear is usually included together in the one price.
Because Alaska is such a popular fishing location, there are many types of guided tours available to choose from. Hitaluga Guide Service offers two main types of fishing trips. They offer float trips and base camp trips on the Talachulitna River. Anglers can catch five different types of salmon, native rainbows, arctic grayling and dolly varden. This guided tour is cheaper than others because the accommodations are tent camps, rather than lodges.
Hitaluga Guide Service
3705 Arctic Boulevard #2858
Anchorage, AK 99503
907-733-2874
hitaluga.com
Non-guided tours offer remote camps, such as river camps, for families and groups. Most camps include tents, air mattresses, kitchen tents, cooking sets and food for a week. The tour operator typically takes the group to the location, and then the group is on their own. Alaska Trophy Adventures offers this type of tour from King Salmon Airport. Their X-treme tour features fly fishing and spin fishing for trout, salmon, rainbow and char fish.
Alaska Trophy Adventures
877-801-2289
alaskatrophyadventures.com
Anglers who want to save money and be alone with their groups in the Alaska wilderness but do not want to stay in a tent campground can take advantage of one of 200 U.S. Forest Service cabins. These cabins must be reserved in advance with a permit and many require charter boats or planes to reach them. However, most cost around $50 a day to rent, and they are modern and well-maintained. The cabins typically are furnished with stoves, tables, benches, boats, oars and firewood. The cabins are situated all over Alaska, including isolated saltwater bays and remote mountain stream locations.
National Recreation Reservation Service
877-444-6777
reserveusa.com
