Fishing in Alaska is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cold, clear water, unmatched scenery, and the chance to catch something fresh for dinner make it easy to see why. At Orca Island Cabins, you don’t need to go far to try your luck — in fact, you don’t even need to leave the dock.
Whether you’re hoping to supplement your dinner or book a full-day deep sea charter, here’s what you need to know about fishing while staying with us.
What You’ll Catch From Our Dock
Fishing right from the dock at Orca Island Cabins is a low-key, relaxing way to spend a morning or evening. Most guests who fish from shore are targeting rockfish, which are the most common catch. Occasionally, guests do hook pink or silver salmon, especially during active runs in nearby waters.
And while rare, we’ve even seen the unexpected: in the summer of 2023, one of our employees caught a 40-pound halibut right off the dock — a once-in-a-blue-moon moment, but a great reminder that you never know what’s lurking below. Guests like the one pictured below have had this experience as well!
Salmon Runs: Timing & Expectations
If salmon is on your mind, here’s what you should know about the nearby runs:
- Pink Salmon (Humpy) Run: Peaks from mid-July to early August. Accessible near the property.
- Silver Salmon (Coho) Run: Strongest from late July through early September. Some guests have caught silvers from boats near the island.
What We Provide
To make things easy for guests, we supply:
- Rods and reels
- Pliers
- Cutting boards
- Fillet knives
- Assortment of lures
We don’t provide live bait, but guests often get creative. Some bring small bait fish like herring, which you can purchase from The Fish House in town — conveniently located right across the street from where we ask guests to meet us in the Small Boat Harbor on check-in day. Others have used grocery items like hot dogs, or even harvested mussels from our tide pools during low tide.
Whatever you choose, just be sure to store your bait in a cooler or sealed container. Orca Island Cabins is home to many curious seabirds, and if you leave bait out in the open, they won’t hesitate to peck through plastic and take it for themselves.
Want to Go Bigger? Book a Charter
If you want a full-day fishing experience with a professional guide and a better shot at halibut, lingcod, or salmon, we recommend booking a charter trip out of Seward.
Some charter companies will even pick you up directly from our docks in the middle of your stay. No need to pack up or lose a day to logistics — just step off your yurt deck and onto the boat.
Recommended Local Charters:
Let us know once you’ve booked, and we can help coordinate pickup times and tide schedules.
Licensing, Legalities & Limits
Before fishing in Alaska, make sure you have the appropriate license. You can buy one online through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game or in Seward before arriving.
Things to know:
- All anglers 16+ need a valid license.
- There are daily limits and size restrictions that vary depending on species and location.
- Charter captains will typically walk you through legal limits and help with processing your catch.
We always encourage guests to review current regulations before heading out, especially if they plan to keep what they catch.
What to Do With Your Catch
If you catch something and want to prepare it yourself, our outdoor kitchen is fully stocked. Grill it up with some lemon, throw it in foil with fresh herbs, or keep it simple with salt and olive oil — it’s hard to go wrong with fish this fresh.
Some charter companies also offer fish processing and shipping services, so you can enjoy your Alaskan catch back home without worrying about travel logistics. If your charter is scheduled midway through your stay at Orca Island Cabins, your captain will typically take you to a local processor right after the trip, while the fish is still fresh. That way, your catch can be cleaned, packed, and prepped for shipping before you even return to the island — giving you peace of mind and one less thing to manage. You’re also welcome to keep a portion of your catch to grill back at your cabin and enjoy while it’s fresh.
Final Thoughts
Fishing in Alaska is a memorable experience whether you’re reeling in a dinner-sized rockfish or just enjoying the process from the dock. Orca Island Cabins gives you a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful, fish-filled waters in the world — without the noise, crowds, or pressure to come home with a trophy.
