| Each year thousands of visitors come to Alaska | | | | You can't bring your fish onboard. |
| by cruise ship. And many of these visitors want | | | | Though you may have dreams of eating the |
| to experience Alaska's varied fishing opportunities. | | | | salmon you caught in the cruise ship dining room, |
| Due to the popularity of fishing in Alaska, fishing | | | | you are not permitted to bring your fresh catch |
| excursions are available through the cruise lines at | | | | onboard the cruise ship. If you're on a fishing |
| several of the stops on Alaskan itineraries. Find | | | | excursion that is not "catch and release" oriented, |
| out the benefits of taking a fishing trip through | | | | you can ask your fishing guide about fish |
| your cruise line and whether it's the right option | | | | processing and shipping. After your fishing trip is |
| for you. | | | | over, you can have your fish processed and sent |
| What do the cruise lines offer? | | | | back home for a fee. Be aware of processing |
| Packaged tours | | | | costs before you decide to keep your fish so you |
| When you book a fishing trip through the cruise | | | | can release your catch if you can't afford to send |
| line, nearly every aspect of the tour is arranged | | | | it back home. |
| for you. Your transportation to the area in Alaska | | | | Excursions can be expensive. |
| where you'll be fishing, your fishing equipment (like | | | | Depending on which fishing excursion you choose, |
| bait, flies, rods and waders), the services of a | | | | you can end up spending over $250 for one day |
| fishing guide, fishing instruction and sometimes | | | | of fishing. Often if you book a fishing trip with a |
| even a meal are all included as part of the fishing | | | | native Alaskan fishing guide, you can get a better |
| excursion. Having all of the elements of your | | | | price. For most trips, fishing licenses are not a |
| fishing trip pre-arranged saves you a lot of time | | | | part of the upfront cost and you'll need to |
| and effort. | | | | purchase a license separately. |
| 3 to 6 hour tours | | | | You may be crowded. |
| The cruise line fishing excursions are typically | | | | Most Alaskan cruise excursions will continue filling |
| either 3 or 6 hours long. This time includes your | | | | up until there is no more space available for that |
| transportation to the area where you'll be fishing | | | | particular trip. This means that you could feel a |
| and any instruction given by the guide. Depending | | | | little crowded on your fishing trip and the crowds |
| on the size of your group, you may have only | | | | can sometimes derive from your enjoyment. Also |
| about an hour of "real" fishing time. But, one of | | | | with big fishing excursions, the passengers will |
| the best things about taking a cruise line excursion | | | | probably have different levels of fishing |
| is that if your tour is late returning for whatever | | | | knowledge. With varying levels of expertise, the |
| reason, the cruise ship will wait until you return | | | | fishing guide will need to go over introductory |
| before leaving the port. | | | | fishing techniques. If you are a seasoned angler, |
| Experienced guides | | | | you may lose fishing time while novices get up to |
| Because the cruise line has already selected and | | | | speed. |
| approved your fishing guide, you can be certain | | | | When you take a cruise to Alaska, it's easy to fit |
| that your guide is well qualified to lead fishing trips | | | | fishing into your itinerary. Whether you take a |
| in Alaska. Also, if the competition for cruise | | | | cruise line fishing excursion or you reserve a day |
| excursion operators is high, the fishing guides | | | | or half day of fishing with a local guide, you'll enjoy |
| chosen will have a higher level of expertise. | | | | the amazing experience that is Alaska fishing. |
| What you should know | | | | Happy fishing! |