Whittier Alaska fishing charters are unlike anything else in the state — and that starts before you even get on the water. Just getting to Whittier is an adventure in itself: a single-lane tunnel shared with a train, one way in and one out, with scheduled openings you absolutely need to check before leaving Anchorage. Once you’re through, you’re in one of the most dramatically beautiful fishing destinations in Alaska.
Prince William Sound sits right outside town and holds everything — halibut, all five species of Pacific salmon, lingcod, rockfish, and salmon sharks that can reach 10 feet long. I’ve spent a lot of time in and around Whittier over the years filming across Southcentral Alaska, and the Sound never disappoints.
Between Paul and I, we’ve spent over 20 years working across Alaska for National Geographic, Discovery, and Animal Planet. Here’s everything you need to know about booking a fishing charter in Whittier.
A quick personal note on Whittier: I visited during production of Slednecks, an MTV show we were filming in the area. We explored the abandoned military barracks — Whittier has a fascinating and slightly eerie history as a Cold War military base that’s worth knowing about before you visit.
Quick Facts: Whittier Alaska Fishing Charters
| Best months | May — September |
| King Salmon peak | May — June |
| Silver Salmon peak | July — August |
| Halibut peak | June — September |
| Full day charter cost | $425–$475/person |
| Getting there | Anton Anderson Tunnel — check times before you go |
| Fish processing | Fee’s Custom Seafoods |
| Unique to Whittier | Salmon shark charters |
Whittier, Alaska Fishing Charters: When Should I Go?
The best time to go charter fishing in Whittier, Alaska, depends on the type of fish you’re looking to catch. Generally, the fishing season in Whittier starts in May and goes through September.
May and June are great months for King Salmon, while July and August are the best for catching silver salmon. Pink salmon are typically abundant in July and August. Additionally, September is a good time for both halibut, silver salmon fishing and Rockfish.
For up to date info on season openings, catch limits, and management measures, check out NOAA fishers.
Keep in mind that weather conditions can also affect the fishing experience, so it’s a good idea to check the forecast before planning your trip. Due to its location at the end of a fjord, Whittier is notoriously winding and can see dangerously high seas.
Getting to Whittier, Alaska
Whittier, Alaska is an isolated town located on the Kenai Peninsula about 40 miles south of Anchorage. There are no commercial flights into Whittier, making it accessible only by road, ferry, or train. But there are a few caveats even to those methods!
- By Car: The quickest driving route from Anchorage is to take the Seward Highway south and then follow the Portage Glacier Highway to Whittier. The trip is roughly 40 miles and takes about 1.5 hours. Check tunnel times!
- By Train: The Alaska Railroad operates a train service from Anchorage to Whittier during the summer months, with several departures per week. The train journey takes about 2.5 hours and offers stunning views of the Alaskan wilderness.
If you are traveling by car or train, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is the longest highway tunnel in North America, is the only way in and out of tow. The Tunnel is a controlled one way road that alternates directions and shares use with the train. A typical summer schedule has the tunnel running from 5:00am to 11:00PM. Check times here so you don’t get stuck!
- By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway System operates a ferry service throughout Alaska. The ferry operates year-round and provides a scenic way to travel to Whittier. Check schedules and book tickets at their website. Alaska Marine Highway Website.
- By Air: There are NO commercial flights into Whittier, Alaska.
What kind of fish can I Catch on a Whittier, Alaska Fishing Charter?
The Prince William Sound and Whittier specifically, are world class destinations for a slew of reasons, excellent fishing being one of them. The sound boasts abundant marine life and diverse fish populations, while the surrounding mountains and glaciers add stunning views to the experience.
Salmon
Prince William Sound is home to all five species of Pacific salmon — king, sockeye, coho, chum, and pink. King salmon peak in May and June, silvers and pinks peak July through August, and September offers a solid late season run for silvers and chum. If you want to target a specific species, tell your charter captain when you book — timing and technique vary significantly between them.
Halibut
My personal favorite fish to eat and a legitimate battle to land. Halibut in Prince William Sound can weigh several hundred pounds, though most charters catches run 20–60 lbs. Peak season runs June through September. Those smaller “chickens” in the 20–40 lb range are honestly the best eating — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Lingcod
Lingcod are aggressive predators found in the rocky areas of the Sound, known for their firm white flesh, fat faces, and the unsettling habit of grabbing another fish you’ve already hooked on the way up. Peak season runs July through August. Most charters offer lingcod as part of a combo package alongside halibut.
Rockfish
Several species of rockfish — yelloweye, black, and dusky — are found throughout Prince William Sound. They’re colorful, fun to catch, and make excellent fish tacos. Peak season runs June through September alongside halibut.
Salmon Sharks
This is the one that sets Whittier apart from every other fishing destination on this list. Salmon sharks are the apex predators of Prince William Sound — they can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and weigh over 600 pounds. They’re closely related to great white sharks and are among the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of maintaining body temperatures warmer than the surrounding water.
Whittier Marine Charters specifically offers salmon shark charters, making this one of the few places in Alaska where you can target them deliberately. It’s not for everyone — the fight is brutal and the experience is genuinely intense — but if you want a fishing story nobody back home will believe, this is it.
Wildlife in Whittier, Alaska
One of the most underrated parts of a Whittier fishing charter is what you see that you’re not trying to catch. Prince William Sound is one of the most wildlife-rich marine environments in Alaska.
Orcas are regularly spotted in the Sound, often hunting salmon near the same grounds your charter will be fishing. Sea otters are everywhere, floating on their backs in the kelp beds like they own the place. Steller sea lions haul out on the rocks throughout the Sound, and humpback whales breach in the deeper water. Bald eagles are so common out here they stop being exciting after the first hour — and then you see another one and it’s exciting again.
For a deeper look at Alaska’s incredible wildlife, check out our Alaska Wildlife & Nature hub.
Whittier, Alaska Fishing Charters: What Should I bring?
Most charters provide the fishing gear — rods, reels, bait, and tackle. What they don’t provide is everything that keeps you comfortable and functional on the water for 8-10 hours. Alaska weather is unpredictable, the boat is moving, and you’re going to get wet. Come prepared.
Fishing License You need a valid Alaska Sport Fishing License before you step on the boat — no exceptions. Some charters offer them but most don’t, so don’t assume. Get yours in advance at the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. A 1-day license runs about $25, a 3-day about $35.
Bibs A full day offshore means spray, wind, and rail work — and regular rain pants gap at the waist the moment you lean over to haul in a fish. Bibs seal that gap, cover your core and lower back, and stay put no matter how much you’re moving around on deck. If you’re going to spend money on one piece of gear for this trip, make it bibs.
- 🎣Grundéns Men’s Neptune Fishing Bib Pants — the commercial fishing standard, what most Alaska charter crews actually wear
Base Layers Merino wool, not cotton. Cotton holds moisture and loses all insulating value when wet. Merino stays warm even damp — and on a boat in Alaska, damp is inevitable.
- 🧣 Minus 33 Merino Wool Base Layer — worth every penny
Waterproof Jacket You need a proper hardshell, not a softshell or a fleece. Wind chill on the water is brutal even on a warm summer day. Check out our full guide on what to wear on an Alaskan boat for more detail.
- 🧥 Grundéns Men’s Full Share Jacket – Waterproof, Breathable. It’s what Paul’s been wearing on Alaskan boats for a decade.
Seasickness Medication Don’t skip this. Halibut grounds are often offshore in open water with real swell. Even people who’ve never been seasick can get hit in the right conditions. Take it the night before and the morning of — waiting until you feel sick is too late.
- 💊 Bonine — I don’t get sea sick, but if you do you’ll wanna try anything to help it.
Polarized Sunglasses The glare off the water is intense, especially on a clear Alaska summer day with 18+ hours of light. Polarized lenses cut through it and reduce eye fatigue on a long day. Get a cheap pair you wouldn’t cry over if they went swimming.
Sunscreen Alaska sun reflects off the water and you’re exposed for hours. People consistently underestimate this and pay for it. Bring SPF 50 and reapply.
Food and Water Most charters provide water but not food. Confirm with your operator before you go. Pack snacks, a real lunch, and more water than you think you need. Most charters allow moderate alcohol, drinking is the best part of fishing after all.
Cash for the Tip Your captain and deck hand work hard. $20–$50 per person is standard, more on a great day. ATMs in small Alaska fishing towns can be unreliable — bring cash from Anchorage.
Whittier Alaska Fishing Charters
Fishing charters in Whittier are abundant and it’s not always easy picking one. The good news is the quality is consistently high — Prince William Sound is world class water and the operators who work it know it well. Here are our top picks, including one option for the DIY crowd who’d rather rent a boat and chart their own course.
Alaska Good Time Charters is a husband and wife operation and one of the longest running charters in Whittier. They offer some of the cheapest day rates in Whittier, starting at $425 a person. You can even do a shared rod option for $250 for the extra person. They also offer multi-day live aboard fishing trips.
Address: Whittier Alaska 99693. Email: agtc.david@gmail.com Phone: +1-907-373-7447
Saltwater Excursions is helmed by captain Captain Kristen Labrecque, a retired Army helicopter pilot. They offer multi species, or targeted halibut or salmon charters. Trips start at $475 a person. They also offer taxidermy so you you can get your prized catch mounted. Address: 1 F, Harbor Rd, Whittier, AK 99693. Phone: +1-907-360-7975
Whittier Marine Charters is a family run operation thats been at it for over 20 years. They run a slew of fishing charters including halibut trips that are price matched to any of the areas competitors. They also do deep water trophy fish excursions, as well as salmon shark charters, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Address: Harbor Loop Dr.Whittier, Alaska. Email: matt@fishwhittier.com Phone: +1-907-440-9510
Big Irv’s Famous Alaskan Fishing Charters is veteran owned and operated. Big Irv offers two species charters starting at $450 a person or $2700 for a private charter. He also runs Hunting transport/drop off shuttles as well as Glacier tours.
Address: Slip Z1, Whittier, AK 99693. Phone: +1-907-953-6671
Rent your own boat and Charter your own trip with Whittier Boat Rental. They have 3 different vessels for rent, starting at $1,000/day.
Address: 1 Harbor Loop Rd, Whittier, AK 99693. Email: whittierbr@gmail.com Phone: +1-907-232-2783
Prefer to chart your own course? Check out our full guide to Alaska boat rentals — Whittier Boat Rental has three vessels starting at $1,000/day if you’d rather fish on your own terms.
Tipping & Charter Fishing
Tipping your deckhand on a Whittier, Alaska fishing charter is a common practice and should be expected and calculated into your costs. Most captains don’t pay their deckhands so they rely on your tips to eat! It’s standard practice, just like tipping a waitress or bartender.
The amount you tip should be based on the level of service provided and your satisfaction with the experience. A general rule of thumb is to tip around 15-20% of the total cost of the trip. But by all means, if you feel that the deckhand went above and beyond to make your experience exceptional, tip more.
This set up doesn’t make much sense to me. Wether it’s a waitress making $2 an hour or a deckhand working completely for tips, it just seems a bit exploitive. But until I’m in charge, all I can do is try and understand why its done this way.
A lot of captains don’t pay their deckhands because they are typically independent contractors, not employees. This means that they are responsible for their own taxes, social security, and other expenses.
Some deckhands will receive a percentage of the charter fee as their payment, in exchange for their services. This system allows deckhands to have more control over their work and income, but it also means that their earnings are not guaranteed. So tip your deckhands!
Map of Whittier, Alaska Fishing Charters
Fish Processing & Shipping in Whittier, Alaska
So your day on the boat was a success and you’ve got a boat load of fish heading back to town. You’re wearing a fat smile on your face and fish guts on your fists, but what do you do now? How are you going to get all that glorious seafood you just caught cleaned and back home?
Don’t worry, most charters will have their deckhands clean your fish on the ride on in. Remember, to tip those guys! Once you’re in town you can take your catch, cleaned or not, to a processing company and have them do the rest of the work!
The main game in Whittier, Alaska is Fee’s Custom Seafoods. They’ll take care of everything for you. They clean, freeze, vacuum seal, box, and can even arrange shipping for you. They’ve been doing it for a long time and they work with most outfitters in town.
Fee’s Custom Seafoods works with many of the local charters in town. They’ll clean, freeze, and package your catch at a competitive rate. They sell UPS/FedEx and airline approved boxes for $20-$30. Address: P.O. Box 790 Whittier, Alaska 99693 Email: feescustomseafoods@yahoo.com. Phone: (907) 472-5055
Fishing Charters in Whittier Alaska FAQs
What if I get seasick?
To prevent seasickness, I always try and eat something before I get onboard. I’ve found that having something in my belly helps when all those stomach acids are sloshing around. In addition to that you can take ginger pills or other anti sea sickness medication.
If you’re feeling weepy try and keep your eyes fixed on the horizon and make sure to get fresh air. If you gotta yack, don’t hold back, sometimes its the only thing that will make you feel better.
Can I bring booze on board?
Every captain of every charter has different rules, but usually they’ll allow alcohol onboard. Just remember, unless you book a private charter you’ll probably be sharing the boat, so don’t be drunken butthead.
How do I get my fish Home?
You can get your fish home after a Whittier, Alaska fishing charter by having the fish processed and packaged at Fee’s Custom Seafoods. They can then help you arrange shipping back to your home or set you up with a airplane approved freezer box.
Should I bring Food & Water?
Every charter should have fresh water, some will have snacks, and the good ones will offer a lunch. A lot don’t do snacks or lunch though, so check with your charter company before hand. You’re gonna get hungry out there!
What should I wear?
Wear warm, waterproof and windproof layers such as a base layer, insulating layer, waterproof jacket or rain gear. Waterproof pants or waders and slip-resistant shoes or boots are a good idea as well. Consider packing some accessories like a warm hat, gloves, and sunglasses. It’s a long day on the water, you’re gonna want to be comfortable.
Looking for a complete overview of fishing in Alaska? Check out our Alaska Fishing Guide — every location, species, and resource in one place
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