New Video Drop: How to Fish for Northern Pike

By Erik Anderson, Education Associate 3, Fairbanks Alaska

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) released a new how-to video earlier this year: How to Fish for Northern Pike, filmed on location in Minto Flats, a truly spectacular wetland complex in Interior Alaska known for big northern pike and outstanding wildlife viewing.

The video highlights what makes northern pike fishing more than just about catching fish: beavers, moose, bald eagles, and waterfowl are all part of the day on the water.

ADF&G research biologist Matt Albert walks you through the basics: where to find northern pike in lakes and rivers, the gear you'll need, and gives you a detailed breakdown of lure choices. Research biologist, Laura Gutierrez is on the water throughout, catching nice size northern pike and demonstrating techniques for landing big fish.

The video also covers northern pike behavior, their place in the food web, and best practices for catch-and-release. Northern pike are a spectacular sport fish, known for explosive strikes that erupt in giant splashes, and in places like wetlands in Interior Alaska, they can grow to truly impressive sizes. A 20-pound northern pike can hit with startling force, and the fight is close-quarters and thrilling.

Northern pike are native to much of Alaska, but in Southcentral Alaska they are managed as an invasive species. Wherever you find northern pike, though, they are great fish to catch on rod and reel.

Regulations vary by region and waterbody, so anglers should always check current regulations before heading out. See the ADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations webpage for statewide and regional regulations and updates.

Fishing for Pink Salmon in Ketchikan

By Kelly Reppert, Ketchikan Area Management Biologist, Ketchikan Alaska

Pink salmon mark the height of summer in Southeast Alaska. These small but mighty fish return to Ketchikan marine waters in force from mid-July to mid-August homing in on nearly 200 freshwater streams throughout the area. Weighing in at 3-5lbs, Humpies are fun and easy to catch and are perfect for beginner anglers. Whether it's catching that first fish, spending the day with some intense fishing action, or filling the freezer for home, pink salmon offer entertainment for every angler.

In the Ketchikan area, there are a plethora of pink salmon opportunities, both on- and off-shore with some of the best opportunities just minutes from local harbors and boat launches. The boat launch at Mountain Point provides great access to target pink salmon in the marine waters south of Ketchikan. Other local hotspots include Clover Pass, Nichols Pass, Gravina, Revilla Channel and West Behm Canal.

The most popular and productive saltwater shoreline locations to catch pink salmon are Mountain Point on the south end of town and Thomas Basin located downtown at the outlet of Ketchikan Creek. The shoreline along Point Higgins and Settler's Cove on the north end of town are also good spots to catch pink salmon. Anglers looking for fish for the pan should target pinks in saltwater earlier in the season around mid to late July to find the best quality. Fishing is typically better within a few hours on either side of the tide.

By late July pink salmon begin moving into streams and can provide outstanding action when they stage in large numbers near stream mouths. Pinks will strike readily at lures; try medium size spinners, spoons and flies, the brighter the better.

Freshwater opportunities continue to grow as August approaches and pinks can be targeted in most systems in the area. Ketchikan Creek will be teaming with pinks and is easily accessible by all anglers. The creek flows through downtown Ketchikan and is a short walk from the cruise ship dock.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of town behind, you can find the most scenic and productive of Ketchikan's roadside systems at Ward Creek, located just a quick ten-minute drive from downtown. The mouth of Ward Creek, locally referred to as Grassy Point, has a wide-open space to fish and pinks can be caught cast for cast by the novice or experienced angler. The Ward Lake Recreation Area is an ideal place for a family outing with miles of hiking trails, campgrounds and a very productive freshwater fishery. Take a hike, have a picnic, camp for the weekend and spend some time fishing.

Need fishing gear? Ketchikan's ADF&G Rod Loaner Program allows you to borrow fishing rods free of charge for up to 3 days with a maximum of three rods per person. A valid sport fishing license is required for anglers where applicable.

For more information about fishing opportunities near you, stop by your local Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish office or visit the gofishak interactive map which provides information on popular fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear selections and boat and angler access.

FROM THE FIELD

New Episode of "The Fish Count" Podcast: Fish Weirs on Wild Rivers - The Susitna Drainage

Ever wonder how biologists know when enough salmon have returned to Alaska's rivers? We are speaking with Fisheries Biologists Samantha Oslund, Oliver Querin, and Nick Decovich.

In this episode of The Fish Count Podcast, we head into the Susitna drainage to explore the science behind fish weirs, sonar, fish wheels, and the research that helps guide fisheries management across one of Alaska's largest and most remote watersheds.

You'll also hear stories from the field, learn why king salmon face unique challenges, and discover just how much work goes into understanding Alaska's incredible fisheries.

Our podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, and Amazon Music and can also be found on the ADF&G website.

QUICK LEARNING

Get Your Hands Dirty for the Fish: Streambank Restoration Workshop Coming to Fairbanks

Healthy streambanks are easy to overlook, but they're critical to good fishing, the vegetation along Alaska's rivers, streams, and lakes hold soil in place, filters runoff, keeps water temperatures down, and supports the insect life that feeds the fish we chase all season long. When those banks get degraded, fish habitat follows. ADF&G's Streambank and Restoration staff works across the state alongside partners to restore riparian habitat, improve fish passage, and help private and public landowners rehabilitate areas that have taken a hit from development, erosion, or heavy use. The program offers technical expertise, permitting assistance, and funding support for salmon habitat projects, with selected landowners eligible to have up to 50% of their project costs reimbursed. From coir logs and willow plantings to rootwads and elevated walkways, the techniques are proven, practical, and make a real difference for the waters Alaskans fish and depend on.

This July, ADF&G is hosting a free hands-on Streambank Restoration Workshop in Fairbanks on July 15-16, 2026, and we'd love to see you there. Whether you're an angler who wants to give something back to the waters you love, or a landowner looking for practical techniques to protect your stretch of riverbank, this workshop is built for you. You'll get two days of real, hands-on instruction, the kind you can actually use. The workshop is free but advance registration is required. To register, please call (907) 267-2403 or email dfg.dsf.streambankrehab@alaska.gov and come ready to get your hands and boots dirty.

ANGLER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Check out ADF&G's new Slam challenges and other Angler Recognition programs! Find details on our Angler Recognition page.

No gear? No Problem.

Learning to fish is officially on the summer bucket list and ADF&G's Rod Loaner Program makes it easier than ever to get started. The program lets you borrow fishing equipment for free from ADF&G offices around the state, so there's no need to invest in gear before you even know if you love it. It's a great excuse to get the whole family out on the water, and there's no better time to teach a kid to fish than an Alaska summer. Grab your Alaska fishing licenses, find an ADF&G rod loaner location near you, and go make some memories. Alaska summers are short, might as well spend some of it learning something new.

RECIPES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sport Fishing Classes

Registration opens two weeks before each class.

• July 22, 2026: Fish Processing
• August 12, 2026: Egg Curing
• September 23, 2026: Floating Fishing for Salmon

Southcentral Youth-Only Fisheries

• August 1, 2026: Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon Youth-Only Fishery – coho salmon
• August 1–2, 2026: Fish Creek Youth-Only Fishery – all species other than king salmon
• August 15, 2026: Eklutna Tailrace Youth-Only Fishery – coho salmon
• August 25–September 7, 2026: Seward Lagoon Youth-Only Fishery – coho salmon

Southwest Youth-Only Fisheries

Naknek River Youth-Only Fishery

• July 12, 2026: Naknek River between the ADF&G regulatory markers posted above Rapids Camp.
• August 9, 2026: Naknek River between the ADF&G regulatory markers posted above and below the mouth of King Salmon Creek, including King Salmon Creek.