Fishing Glacier Bay NP
To fish Glacier Bay National Park we flew from Seattle to Juneau where we transferred to an Alaska Air 737-400 for a 13 minute hop to the airport in Gustavus. One flight a day via Alaska Air, but small commuter airlines also service Gustavus. For the flight out we flew in a four-seater with Wings of Alaska crossing around and between gorgeous green mountain tops in the Chilkat Range through passes low enough to see mountain goats.
To actually fish inside GBNP means booking with Jim Kearns or one of five other fishing charters with $500 annual park permits. Failing that, salt and freshwater fishing around Gustavus and in Icy Strait is excellent for halibut, salmon, lings, yelloweyes, Dolly Varden and trout and non-fishing adventures into the park are easily arranged.
Contact the Gustavus web site for guides and charter referrals. Several rivers offer char, trout and seasonal salmon runs including the Salmon River flowing through Gustavus and Bartlett River near park headquarters.
Gustavus is on the Alaska Marine Highwaysystem with walk-on ferry service from Juneau. Private boats can be chartered for multi-day fish and cruise expeditions from Juneau. A favorite with small groups of fishermen are Nordic tugs that can be rented by the week and are free to roam Southeast. We saw several tugs in the GBNP and Gustavus areas.
(For Juneau tugboat articles go to:
www.TNScommunications.net)
To boat into the park from June 1-August 31 requires aGBNP vessel permit.
For details call 907-697-2627 or refer to
www.nps.gov/glba.
Hardy DIY anglers can rent kayaks and pitch tents inside the park.
Non-resident 3-day ADFG sport fishing licenses are $35 plus $20 for a NR king stamp. One, seven and 14 day NR license are also available.
Refer to:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=sportlicense.prices
Lodges, B & Bs, guides, charters and other accommodations are listed on the city web site. Fish processing and shipping can be arranged at Pep’s Packing.
When To Fish Glacier Bay:
Saltwater
King salmon-May and June
Silver salmon -July, August, September
Halibut-June, July, August, September
Ling cod-All Season
Yelloweye-All Season
Freshwater Rivers
Steelhead-May, June
Silver Salmon-Late August, September
Pink Salmon -Late July, August
Chum Salmon-Late July, August
Sockeye Salmon- July
Dolly Varden -All Season
Cutthroat-All Season
Rainbows-All Season
For Specific Info:
Fairweather Adventures at Glacier Bay
B&B and Guided Fishing
Jim and Julene Kearns
www.fishglacierbay.com
907-723-3065
Pep’s Packing
Fish Processing, Shipping
http://gustavus.com/peps/
907-697-2295
Juneau Visitor and Convention Bureau
Email: [email protected]
www.traveljuneau.com
800.587.2201
Glacier Bay National Park
www.nps.gov/glba
email: [email protected]
907-697-2230
Gustavus Visitors Association
www.gustavusak.com
907-697-2454
Wings of Alaska
Gustavus Shuttle Flights
www.wingsofAlaska.com
(800) 789-9464
Email: [email protected]
