Halibut Fishing in Sitka Alaska

When coming to Alaska, either as a traveler or a fisherman, you are looking for something big; something out of the ordinary. You can get both by Sitka halibut fishing with Cascade Creek Lodge.

How the Fishing Trips Look

Both newbies and experienced fishermen have enjoyed fishing for Pacific halibut in Sitka. Generally, the captain who leads the fishing experience provides the boat and all the gear including the tackle, weights, and hooks. Frozen herring and salmon carcasses is often used as bait and is double hooked to keep it securely in place. The captain sometimes will place chum, a bag of cut-up fish and fish parts, to draw the halibut to the area.

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Once the halibut have been chummed in to the spot, the real fun begins. Some halibut swim in surface waters. More often, they live in deeper waters, sometimes at 500 feet below the surface. So, the fisherman who hooks a halibut should be ready for a battle. These large fish can take the line 200 to 300 feet deep, requiring an arduous battle to bring them into the boat!

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As one would expect with fish that can get 400 pounds or more, they put up quite a fight. Fish even a quarter of that size but up an epic battle. But leave the little guys alone. Halibut do not reproduce until eight years old, so ones that are 30 inches or less should be tossed back in the water.

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Eating Alaska Halibut

Once your fishing group is back on land, they can enjoy watching the fish filleted. The fish deliver a higher yield of meat than most fish and are usually grilled, deep fried or boiled. Raw halibut is about 80% water and 20% protein with almost no fat or carbohydrates. The fish is rich in selenium and phosphorus as well as vitamin D and several B vitamins. These are all important elements of a healthy diet.

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Other Sights in Sitka Alaska

After the exercise of halibut fishing and the delight of eating it, visitors to Alaska are often treated to another of Alaska’s wonders – viewing bald eagles. This magnificent bird is found only in North America and some 30,000 of them find their home in Alaska. Visitors can spot these raptors in action grabbing fish off the surface of the water or stealing prey from smaller birds. With a wingspan of over seven feet, the birds can cruise the sky at speeds of 40 miles per hour. Visitors to Sitka are often treated to the sight of the mature bald eagle diving from the air at 80 miles per hour.

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Honoring the Sitka Fishing Traditions

People fishing for halibut at Sitka are continuing an ancient tradition. The Tlingit Indians have fished the waters of southeast Alaska for thousands of years. Through careful management of the waters and the fish, the fishing tradition should continue for generations to come.

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More About Cascade Creek Lodge

Cascade Creek Lodge is waiting to take you out on a charter fishing trip for pacific halibut. Come see what it's all about.

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We've got way more to offer than just halibut fishing. Our fishing charters include salmon, black cod, and rockfish. We recommend taking a look at one of our Alaskan fishing packages to enjoy everything Sitka has to offer.