With the summer months upon them, Alaskan families are ready to enjoy one of their favorite outdoor activities. Fishing on the beautiful rivers the Last Frontier is known for is the perfect way to bring the whole family together and spend some peaceful time in nature.
Fishing trips can be great fun for the entire family. While getting your kids involved in fishing may take some time, once they get the hang of it and experience their first catch, they are sure to fall in love with the sport.
Read on to find out more about the wonders of fishing in Alaska!
Preparing for the trip
Before you get your fishing equipment and get the kids in the car, you should carefully consider the location. By far the most popular fishing location in Alaska, the Kenai River is a truly unique marvel of nature that is home to a number of fish species, including the sockeye salmon, the Dolly Varden, and the pretty rainbow trout. The fishing is usually done by boat and bringing lifejackets is a must! 
If you’re looking for a tamer alternative, Campbell Creek in Anchorage is a great choice. Despite running through the middle of the town, the river is surrounded by rich wildlife and abounds in silver salmon, king salmon, and rainbow trout. On the last weekend of June, there’s a kids-only fishing event where kids under 15 can fish for king salmon in a special section of the creek.
The equipment you will take on your fishing trip will depend on the season, the location and the species of fish you want to catch. Naturally, fishing with children will require kid-friendly rods and casting techniques. Fly fishing with fly rods seems to be the best option for kids – the technique is easy to learn and produces fast results in most cases.
Keeping the kids interested
Fishing might not seem like the best activity for kids considering their short attention spans, but you’d be surprised how many children get hooked after just half a day of fishing. While most kids get fidgety after a while if there’s not enough action, you can make sure that they don’t get bored by giving them things to do on the boat even if the fish aren’t biting. It might be best to have a guide on your trip to help keep the kids enthusiastic.
Choosing the time of year wisely is key to ensuring ultimate levels of fun for your kids. Mid-August to mid-September is the best time for silver salmon, Dolly Varden, and rainbow trout catch and release fishing while late July and the beginning of August bring the sockeye salmon season.
Some people can be discouraged by the complex regulations that govern fishing in Alaska. That’s why hiring a guide service is the best way to have an enjoyable fishing trip with your children since the guides will know exactly how to keep your kids engaged and enthusiastic about catching fish.
Let’s go fishing!
If you’re looking for an activity that is fun, motivating and brings great opportunities for spending quality time in nature with your family, fishing is definitely the way to go. And what better place 
to do that than in Alaska?
Fishing is an activity for all ages, but your kids can take away some lessons from it that adults often forget. Not only will they learn to appreciate the sheer beauty of the surroundings and the calm atmosphere of the river, but fishing will also teach them perseverance, patience, and independence.
What are you waiting for? Plan your trip today and get ready for the fishing season!