| The cardinal rule to follow when it comes to trout or | | | | When is the best time to fish for trout in Alaskan |
| steelhead fishing in Alaskan waters is the | | | | waters? |
| catch-and-release fishing method. In other words, | | | | As a rule, trout and steelhead sports fishing can be |
| commercialized steelhead fishing or trout fishing for | | | | availed off on a year-round basis. However, if you |
| consumption is heavily regulated here. This is to help | | | | are relying on an abundance of one specific |
| preserve the dwindling numbers of these | | | | subspecies of trout, then you need to know the |
| magnificently graceful sea water and freshwater | | | | actual migrating cycle of each one. |
| dwellers. | | | | For example: rainbow trout "season" begins in late |
| Since the catch-and-release fishing method has been | | | | April and ends sometime in June; while their migratory |
| introduced, Sports fishing enthusiasts are able to | | | | runs begin in August all the way to October. On the |
| enjoy trout fishing in Alaska all year round. As such, | | | | other hand, steelheads have their migratory runs |
| there are actually four subspecies of trout in these | | | | from September to November, but the prime fishing |
| waters. These are the cutthroat trout, the lake trout, | | | | season coincides with that of the rainbow trout. |
| the rainbow trout and the steelhead trout. | | | | Cutthroat trout is especially abundant all year round, |
| Cutthroat trout or simply the common trout is the | | | | while the lake trout can only be spied on occasional |
| smallest of the four species and is usually speckled in | | | | deep sea fishing expeditions. |
| earth tone colors. Lake trout is the largest trout | | | | Practicing safe catch-and-release procedures to save |
| species in Alaska, and it grows to about 102 pounds. | | | | the Alaskan fish |
| It is also on the most endangered list of freshwater | | | | It is said that even with the implementation of the |
| creature. This beautiful animal prefers to thrive in the | | | | catch-and-release fishing method, a good 16% of the |
| deepest and coldest parts waters. | | | | caught fish die in the waters soon after. This is |
| The lake trout is also known as the grey trout, lake | | | | greatly due to the fact that the fishing enthusiast |
| char, leans, mackinaw, paper bellies, siscowet, tongue, | | | | handling the fish did not practice care when it comes |
| and roulade. The rainbow trout is the most | | | | to baiting, unhooking and releasing the trout back in |
| recognizable of all the trout species because of it | | | | the water. |
| vibrant coloration. And finally the steelhead trout or | | | | For starters, bait and hooked lines should not be used |
| simply steelhead, shares the same constitution as | | | | to lure the fish. When the fish is being pulled towards |
| that of the rainbow trout with one exception. The | | | | the boat, it is essential to allow the fish to tire just a |
| steelhead is predominantly silver in coloration. | | | | little bit so that it does not thrash more in the open |
| Like the salmon, these fishes make an annual mass | | | | air. Using nets is not an option because nets can |
| exodus to their traditional fishing grounds in order to | | | | destroy the delicate fins and tail of the trout. And |
| spawn. However, unlike the salmon, the trout usually | | | | lastly, when trying to disengage the fish from the |
| returns to the oceans alive and whole; and make | | | | line, it is essential to keep the fish hydrated with a |
| many trips to the spawning grounds in their lifetime. | | | | continuous supply of water. |