Tongass National Forest

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Fishing opportunities in both salt water and fresh water are beyond excellent in the Tongass National Forest. All that rain and the rugged topography mean that the forest is criss-crossed by innumerable streams and pocketed by innumerable lakes. Among the fish you might catch here are steelhead, five species of salmon, grayling, cutthroat trout, halibut, red snapper, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, arctic grayling, and eulachon (also known as hooligan).

Prince of Wales Island is a superb fishing destination. Hiring a float plane to a remote, isolated mountain lake is a classic experience, a once in a lifetime treat at the very least. Many of the forest service cabins have good fishing just a few steps away; many toss in a rowboat and/or a mooring buoy to boot.

The Naha River National Recreation Trail on Revillagigedo Island near Ketchikan is another can't beat fishing destination—5.4 miles of stream fishing in a gorgeous river valley.

Then of course there's that long, intricate coastline. Two words: Alaskan crab. You'll definitely want to set traps for some of that. There's also lots of shrimping. You can fish for sea-run species from tidal flats, as well as bottom fish for flounder.

Hunting is popular in the Tongass. In much of the state, habitat conditions are suitable for many game species, including deer, moose, brown and black bear, and mountain goats. Sport and subsistence hunting is allowed in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses, as well as information on current regulations, can be obtained from:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Public Communications Office
P.O. Box 3-2000
Juneau, Alaska 99802-2000
(907) 464-4112

Regulations are updated each spring.