Southeast Alaska Halibut Fishing at
Fireweed Lodge

In Alaska, there is no fish are that put a strain in an angler's muscles like the Pacific Halibut. Southeast Alaska halibut fishing has been practiced for millennia, by ancient native coastal communities and modern day sportsman alike. Alaska halibut is prized for its delicate white flesh and mild flavor. Today, Alaska halibut fishing is popular with anglers for their hard-fighting spirit, spectacular runs, and sheer size.

Alaska halibut come in all sizes from the mighty "barn doors" to the smaller "chicken halibut." Halibut inhabit Alaska in the north Pacific, from the Bering Sea to California, in astounding numbers. The largest of female Alaska halibut can lay up to three-million eggs! The abundance of Alaska halibut makes them a favorite for fishermen across the globe.

As the long daylight hours of summer in Alaska approach, halibut leave the darkness of the ocean's depths and migrate into shallower coastal waters to feed on gathering hoards of baitfish. Halibut are voracious feeders, and guests on our Southeast Alaska halibut fishing trips catch most of their halibut while mooching for salmon. Fishing with light tackle in 40 to 80-feet of water, and hooking into a big Alaska halibut, is a thrill no one soon forgets.

Male halibut do not grow as large as females, in fact, the largest male ever recorded weighed slightly less than 80-pounds. Male Alaska halibut reach maturity at six to ten years of age, while their female counterparts take a little longer, from ten to 14-years. Female Alaska halibut can grow to enormous sizes exceeding 600-pounds and over eight feet in length! The current world record for an Alaska halibut caught with conventional fishing gear is a whopping 460-pounds.

Our Southeast Alaska halibut fishing trips start with the captain searching and targeting "bait balls;" millions of baitfish grouped together in tight clusters to provide protection from predators. Many are not so lucky. The large bio-mass of swirling fish attracts schools of predators such as Salmon, ling cod, and Alaska halibut. These predatory fish attack the bait balls in flights of fury, ripping into the mass with their jaws or slapping them with their tails to stun. Any baitfish missed on the first attack quickly become food for those waiting below.

We call our approach "one-stop fishing." While one angler wrestles with an Alaska halibut, another is holding on tight while a big king makes a nose-down run, and yet another fisherman is watching his silver jump over the bow of the boat as it tries to avoid the net. Fishing doesn’t get any better than this. Between exhilarating moments of incredible, fast fishing action, wildlife frequently makes an appearance. Humpback whales, sea otters, and eagles are a welcome sight on any Southeast Alaska halibut fishing charter, but trying to take photographs while reeling in the big one can lead to a wet camera.

The professional staff at Fireweed Lodge ensures the proper care and handling of your Alaska halibut, from its handling on the boat to cleaning and portioning on the dock. Your Alaska halibut is vacuum packed, flash frozen, and labeled for your convenience. Your fresh, wild Southeast Alaska halibut will be ready to go upon your departure from the lodge. You can rest assured your fish will remain fresh and delicious once you return home, making even the most discriminating chef's mouth water.