2023 Halibut Regulations Are Here… but what does that mean for your trip?
It’s the time of year when the Alaska Department of Fish and Game renews their sport fishing regulations for the coming season, which means that we have more information to share with you to help plan your trip! This season’s halibut regulations allow each fisherman to retain a limit of two fish per day: one under 28” and one of any size. Regulations for other types of fish should not be changing, and can be viewed here (this is the 2022 regulation booklet, as the most recent update has not been officially published yet). Every year the ADFG also sets multiple closure dates on which fishermen are not allowed to retain any halibut.
If you have your heart set on taking home halibut, here are the dates you will want to avoid in 2023:
Basically, halibut are off-limits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for most of the summer, which means that we are not able to run our multi-species fishing charters on these days. Instead, we will be offering several other types of experiences.
Best of Alaska
Our Best of Alaska trip is by far our most popular tour because it offers the unique opportunity to experience a bit of everything that the Kenai Fjords have to offer. Four hours of fishing, kayaking near glaciers, and many opportunities for sightseeing are combined to create this full-day trip that is perfect for families, small groups, or the solo traveler spending the day in Seward. When booked on closure dates, the fishing portion of this trip will not target halibut, but will give you the opportunity to fish for multiple types of rockfish and salmon.* This trip will be available to book on either the Thomasea or the Fox Willie, and is available on a per-seat or book-the-boat basis!
Fishing and Sightseeing or Limited Multi-species Trips
Maybe your group really just wants a full day of fishing and catching halibut isn’t as important, or you have kids in your group who only want to do a few hours of fishing and focus on looking for wildlife. These trips are for you! On a book-the-boat basis, the Thomasea and Fox Willie will both be available for custom charters that can target rockfish, salmon, or ling cod* for the full day or combine your fishing time with sightseeing opportunities in the Gulf of Alaska. These options are exclusive, so your captain and deckhand are there to help make your excursion the highlight of your time in Seward!
*Per state regulations, ling cod can only be harvested after July 1.
Catch of the day! Halibut and rockfish brought back on a full-day charter.
Haven’t Booked Yet?
Summer will be here before you know it, and our trips are filling up fast! By making your reservations online or over the phone, you can lock in your spots for this summer. Trips and lodging in the height of summer may already be sold out, so this year, stopping by Seward in the early season (May or June) is a great option. The crowds tend to be smaller and you’ll be able to fish for halibut any day of the week!