The Anchorage area can provide good salmon fishing right in town, however, many anglers don’t visit Anchorage to fish. They come to Anchorage to start their trip and then venture off to the area waters. However, you can stay in Anchorage when the runs are going and catch plenty of salmon and trout. You will do so with many other anglers around. Head to the Copper Valley or Mat-su Valley area and you can find plenty of waters to fish for a variety of salmon depending on the time of the year.
Chinook Salmon
Also known as king salmon, these fish have silver sides with black spots on the back and on both lobes of the tail. When caught out of the lake or sea, they are a beautiful looking silver fish, however, they turn very dark once they get into the rivers for their fall spawning run. Chinook salmon are the largest salmon and they make strong, powerful runs once they are hooked. Many Chinook over 40 pounds are caught every year and the world record is over 90 pounds.
Chum Salmon
Chum salmon are very silver with faint vertical stripes along their sides. The stripes are not as distinct as the ones you will see on striped bass, but you candefinitely see their stripes, which is different from any other salmon. They do not have distinct spots anywhere on their body. Chum salmon typically live for 4 years and they can grow fairly big. Many fish are caught over 10 pounds and the world record is over 30 pounds.
Coho Salmon
Coho, also known as silver salmon, look similar to Chinook, but the tail has spots on the upper part of the tail only. They are very silver in the lake or sea, but they change colors when they enter the rivers for spawning season. Most coho caught are between 4 and 8 pounds, but some very large coho are also caught with a world record over 30 pounds.
Pink Salmon
Pink salmon, also known as humpback salmon, have silver sides with large black spots on the upper sides, their back and throughout the entire tail. Pink salmon are much smaller than coho and Chinook. The average size pink salmon is around 3 to 5 pounds and they normally only live for 2 years. The world record is just above 13 pounds.
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon, have silver sides with a bluish-green back. Like the chum salmon, they don’t have any distinct black spots on their body. Just prior to spawning both sexes turn red with green heads and sport a dark stripe on their sides. Males develop a hump on their back and the jaw and teeth become hooked during their move from salt to fresh water. They have a 4 year life span, but they grow slowly. Most sockeye salmon are in the 3 to 5 pound range and any fish over 10 pounds are considered a trophy. The world record is just over 15 pounds.
