Quick Details
Head out into the stunning Gulf of Alaska and experience a truly Alaskan Charter with Miller’s Landing. These are our most popular charters offered during the peak of the fishing season, June 20 – September 10, when the silvers are readily accessible.
Our catch records stand among the best in the Seward area. While other outfitters may market halibut/rockfish combos, salmon/ling cod combos, or halibut/salmon combos as specific species trips, this Miller’s Landing combination charter targets all of the sport fish caught in our region, all day long. Our combination halibut and salmon fishing charters from Seward, AK, target everything that is in season at the time and include fishing for red snapper, black bass, and all manner of rockfish as well as ling cod and halibut. (Ling cod may only be harvested on charters taken after July 1.) So join us for an amazing fishing experience with our talented captains, where you may also enjoy the amazing Alaskan landscape, their local knowledge, marine wildlife, and fishing stories that will be told for years to come.
Note that Halibut fishing is closed to commercial operators on all Wednesdays for the 2023, we may learn about more additional closures in March. If you’re planning to visit during these dates, or hoped to go fishing on a Wednesday, the Best of Alaska fishing/sightseeing/kayaking tour or half day salmon/rockfish tours are other great options!
When anchored, we set up near the structure depending on the direction of the current, and then keep the scent trail moving by chumming and maintaining fresh bait on hooks. We work hard and fast to maximize our drift in order to spend as much time catching as possible. During the peak season of June 24 – August 7, all of our Seward fishing charters are combination charters. Unless the whole boat agrees to target a single species (if everybody just wants to hunt for a huge ling cod, for example), we target the entire variety of species!
We are happy to find a boat for you to fish from – however large or small your group is, and whatever your fishing interests are, just ask!
We mooch for our salmon on a drift, which is very productive and popular in our area among all operators. Our method of fishing is often different from other charters, and it’s worked well for us for over 35 years; most of our clients find this to be a highly rewarding and engaging experience. Once we find the fish, salmon can literally pour over the side of the boat — we’ve had days where we’ve limited out in under 30 minutes (that’s eight limits of fish, 1.6 salmon per minute!) and of course, we have days when they are jumping everywhere and not touching a hook for hours. With our drifting method, often the result of our extra effort is your ability to catch fish all day long!
All of our species of fish feed around tide changes, and your guide works hard to structure your combo charter around the species most active at the time. Our main targets, unless requested by the clients, are always salmon and halibut; however, we also actively target rockfish and ling cod on our combination charters; it is rare that we do not come back with all species.
Generally, we fish between 100 and 450 feet for bottom fish, with an average of 200 to 300 feet. We typically target silver salmon between the surface and 80 feet; however, sometimes we find the salmon laying right on the bottom in water deeper than one might expect. It usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours, weather depending, to get to the best fishing grounds, and we often travel west when most of the charter fleet heads east. This allows for fast travel to the grounds, often a more diverse catch, and more protected locations to fish if the weather comes up with less competition and gorgeous scenery.
The Kenai Fjords National Park is accessed only 30-45 minutes from where we typically fish. We often encounter whales and other sea life while fishing, and we always slow the boat down to take a closer look at wildlife if we encounter it while traveling. It is an absolutely stunning environment in which to spend your day fishing, rain or shine.
Please know that fuel is the largest expense we have as charter operators. Our prices reflect the price of fuel at the time of publishing. In previous years we have not added a fuel surcharge, but it’s clear with the volatility and uncertainty in the market that this not a practice we can continue.
A fuel surcharge will only be applied in the event of soaring fuel prices based on the price of fuel at the time of your charter. Should the price of marine fuel remain under $4.75 per gallon there will be no additional charge.
We are steadfast in our position that we do not want to limit the range of our vessels due to the cost of fuel – our choice of fishing grounds should not be directed by the cost at the pump. By adding a fee schedule we can mitigate that concern, the expense represents a significant impact over the course of a season.
| PRICE OF FUEL | FUEL SURCHARGE |
|---|---|
| UNDER $4.75 PER GALLON | NO SURCHARGE |
| $4.76 – $5.25 PER GALLON | $10 PER PERSON PER DAY |
| $5.26 – $5.75 PER GALLON | $20 PER PERSON PER DAY |
| $5.76 – 6.25 PER GALLON | $30 PER PERSON PER DAY |
Get ready for a day full of stunning views, good company and a true Alaskan fishing experience that will leave you with several great fishing stories. Departure is at 6 a.m. daily. You can purchase your Alaska fishing license here using our WiFi, and we have free parking. We even pick you up right from the shore in our specially designed-boats! Our custom catamaran, the Fox Willie, departs at 6 a.m. and fishes 10. We also often use this vessel to drop off kayakers in the national park — this is the reason for the later return and does not cut into your fishing time, nor does it affect where we fish. Our 6-person landing craft, Thomasea, departs at 6 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.
Below is more information about our itinerary, fishing regulations, and competitions.
We have 2 full day charter platforms – Both are custom built landing craft and load directly off the beach either in front of Miller’s Landing or nearby at a public beach if the tide is excessively low (transportation is provided if this is the case). Both boats include a captain and deckhand, a marine toilet, full bottom fishing and salmon fishing gear, heated indoor seating, and all safety equipment.
The store facility opens at 5AM each morning, and fishing licenses should be purchased well before the departure times listed below for each trip – they can be purchased online and printed out these days which makes it a lot easier. The store sells them as well – plan ahead – check in early!
Free coffee is available at the store for your enjoyment, and there are small snacks, but lunch and drinks should be planned. (Please refrain when packing meals from bringing alcohol aboard the vessel, as the official policy of Miller’s Landing for the safety of everyone is that no alcohol be consumed while aboard).
The Fox Willie departs at 6AM and returns by ~6PM and provides a fishing charter platform for up to 10 for an all day excursion, with the ability to carry 6 additional clients (friends and family of the crew or other passengers) in the capacity of a water taxi to the Fjords for guided kayaking among the glaciers.
The boat is comfortable and beamy at 36×13′ length overall. There’s room for everyone to sit inside during transit, and while the boat could be packed with 16 fishing passengers, the taxi portion allows us to let those extra people off, and open the whole boat up for 10. With over 30′ of rail space on each side of the boats full walk around cabin, it allows a generous fishing space for 5 on each side to utilize.
The kayaking excursions are offered to those booking the charter at a discount – if those in your family are interested in going on a kayaking/sightseeing tour, we can take them on the same departure and return.
The boat will load everyone at the same time, depart at 6am, drop off crew (when aboard) by 8am, and will be within minutes of the fishing grounds and ready to start. The earlier departure time affords 1 hour additional boat time at no extra charge. I.E: When no such kayaking/taxi exists, the fishermen have the boat for the additional 1 hours to fish (if necessary) at no additional charge.
The early departure time is intended to be value added to the fishing crew at all turns – whether it’s having the opportunity to see a glacier or having an extra hour to fish, or just being able to keep the family or group with different interests together on the same day trip. The vessel’s high tunnel catamaran design allows for fast travel through choppy weather, as well as high initial stability for those who dread the sea sickness.
The Thomasea departs at 6AM and returns by ~5PM and provides a fishing charter platform for up to 6 on an all day excursion, with the ability to land on the beach as well for loading and unloading with its landing craft design. The vessel is 32×11′ length overall, and is very capable in seas. The full walk around house provides plenty of deck space for the fishing crew, while it’s cabin is cozy and dry during transit times or to make a snack. The 6 person capacity allows for a more private experience while out and about. Trips are due to return by 5pm.
Fishing regulations change each year- for the most up-to-date information, please see the ADF&G website, at www.adfg.alaska.gov and the Southcentral Region, specifically linked HERE.
Buy your fishing and hunting license online at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/ – these can be printed out ahead of time, but must be on your person whenever you fish!
*2021 Fishing Regulations Online – Full Sport Fishing Regulations for State of Alaska
*2021 Fishing Regulations Online – Sport Fishing Regulations for Seward Area (North Gulf Coast)
Runs from June 1st – 30th.
The Seward Silver Salmon Derby runs the second Saturday of August every year and is not only Alaska’s oldest fishing derby, but it’s also the highest-dollar cash prize fishing derby in Alaska. You can buy tickets right at the store, and it’s a blast!
Make sure you have comfortable shoes and warm layers for fishing outside on the bow, good rain gear is also essential. The boat is heated inside with comfortable seating so don’t worry, there is always a space for you to crash. We also recommend lunch, snacks, and water.
Don’t forget medical necessities, and if you get seasick and are using Dramamine, to take it an hour before departure.
Enjoy world-class fishing for all species using Thrasher and Seeker rods, Avet and Shimano reels, and hand-tied gear using top-end components! Read more about our equipment here!
We have 2 full day charter platforms – Both are custom built landing craft and load directly off the beach either in front of Miller’s Landing or nearby at a public beach if the tide is excessively low (transportation is provided if this is the case). Both boats include a captain and deckhand, a marine toilet, full bottom fishing and salmon fishing gear, heated indoor seating, and all safety equipment.
Please note: Miller’s Landing encourages only guaranteed prepaid reservations. Unlike many other states, Alaska has a very short tourist season, which can make it difficult for us to rebook when we have cancellations without ample notice.
If you are booking a charter and lodging and your charter, water taxi, or kayaking is canceled due to weather, you are still responsible for the lodging or camping reservations and the normal cancellation policy applies. All of our activities are possible during rain, so rain does not constitute a cancellation. Miller’s Landing is not responsible for vehicle break downs, personal emergencies, flight delays, health issues or other unforeseen hardships. We will try very hard to work with you, but the cancellation policy will need to be applied if we cannot issue a raincheck or find an alternative solution that appeals to both parties.
Please understand that Miller’s Landing also incurs a hefty financial merchant fee from our bank for the cost of charging your credit card and again for the cost of refunding it, and there is also a cost involved for the time involved in processing and refunding your reservation in employee costs. Our goal when taking your reservation is to have a solid, guaranteed prepaid reservation. We strongly discourage the practice of making reservations without having an airline ticket or making tentative reservations. Thank you for your understanding.
Pacific Halibut is the most desired and largest fish of Alaska’s sport fisheries. They are plentiful in our waters throughout the season and can be caught May-September. Sport-caught Halibut usually range from 20-50 lbs, although larger fish are not uncommon. People frequently ask about the size of the halibut we catch, but that question is impossible to answer from day to day. We commonly catch fish over 100 lbs, but we commonly catch average-sized Halibut as well. It’s up to you to listen to your guide, attend your line, and do your best to maximize your catch! We’ve caught 156lb Halibut on Salmon rods while fishing for Rockfish, with a tiny little hook and skimpy piece of herring. We’ve also caught 300lb Halibut on whole Salmon carcases threaded with circle hooks at 400′. Nobody can forecast a day of fishing, but we work as hard as we can to make it a success.
Halibut cannot be fished on Wednesdays, and there are usually block days on Tuesdays (these have not been disclosed for 2023).
Yellow Eye Rockfish are one of the tastiest fish we catch, and also one of the oldest. They are non-pelagic rockfish, which means they’re one of 32 different species in the same classification caught in Alaska. Other non-pelagic rockfish we catch are Copper, China, Silver gray, Tiger, et al. They are generally speaking all of the “colorful” species of rockfish. Red Snapper and their non-pelagic brethren live to be incredibly old – they grow about an inch per year, don’t start breeding until they’re 7, and the eggs have less than a 1% survival rate. They live where they are born, and as such are limited in most areas to 1 per person per day. They are incredibly good-eating, gorgeous fish which initially hit like a truck. Red Snapper can get up to 32 lbs, and we’ve had them swallow the whole salmon on halibut gear. They are generally caught while fishing for halibut and ling cod.
One per day, per person, we do not keep the little ones, but release them using deep sea release mechanism.
Black Bass are both exciting and fun to catch. They are the most prolific of the pelagic Rockfish species and are found near shallow rocky areas. Fishermen are limited to a set number of pelagic and nonpelagic rockfish per day, and we make an effort to catch both to reach the limit. These fish average about 4 to 5 pounds but range up to 12 pounds. We often fish for them with light/medium-weight tackle. These fish are great fun for young and big kids alike as they hit fast and furious, are located all throughout the water column near rock structure, and can liven up a lull in the bite. They are excellent fried, baked, or blackened.
Five per day, per person, no size limit
Ling season opens July 1st, and they aren’t actually Cod at all! Lings are members of the Greenling family, and in some cases their flesh is naturally tinted green or blue, turning white when cooked. They eat a great deal of chlorophyll, lending the fish its unusual tint. These fish can grow to over 80 lbs. They look like prehistoric sea monsters and are apex predators, often shunning bait and going instead for an actively worked jig. Lings can be caught at almost any depth, but we catch most of them at 30-275 feet. Many people prefer the moist, succulent, white meat of Ling Cod to Halibut. Lings are often caught pre-season but must be released prior to July 1st.
One per person, after July 1st only, minimum legal size is 35 inches, but we won’t keep them unless they’re over 36 inches.
Silvers start their annual return to their freshwater streams in mid-July and August. They average 8-20 lbs and are a lot of fun to catch. They put up a good fight and it’s exciting to watch the fish rip around the boat and leap into the air during the fight! People of all ages are capable of catching Silvers, and kids do very well with these fish. Seward has one of the better Silver Salmon sport fisheries on the Kenai Peninsula, and charter operators actually come from other towns to fish here. Silvers are remarkably tasty, and we take extra care with our salmon, keeping them in coolers with ice and saltwater so they stay firm and fresh no matter what time of day they were caught. Miller’s Landing has its own ice maker, and we outfit the charters daily with a stock of ice for the catch. When the bite is on, it’s a complete frenzy. Everyone on the boat can fish at the same time!
Three fish per day outside of Resurrection Bay. Six fish per day, within Resurrection Bay. No annual limit.
While Pacific Cod are not the target species around here, they are great eating and fun to catch. There is never a guarantee of when we catch them. Some days we are “covered up with cod” while halibut fishing and it’s as fast as you get to the bottom. These fish live up to 20 years and grow up to 6 ft in length. Pacific Cod migrate as far as 490 miles in a year from the Gulf of Alaska to the west coast of Norway. Cod is quite healthy like most fish and is great cooked in butter on a hot skillet.
No limit as of now for the 2023 season.
These salmon do not reside in fresh water for any extended period, unlike coho, chinook and sockeye salmon. Their average length is 20 to 25 inches and their average weight is 3.5 to 5 pounds. We do not target pink salmon, but we do catch them while fishing for rockfish or silver salmon. They often get released when we are targeting silvers, it is most folks’ preference to keep silvers instead of pink salmon. They are great eating if cooked shortly after catching vs. freezing and eating later on. You can also catch pink salmon right in front of our main office, right on the beach, in the late summer.
Three fish per day outside of Resurrection Bay. Six fish per day, within Resurrection Bay. No annual limit.
These are the largest Pacific salmon species which is why they have the word ‘king’ in their name. King salmon live around five years in the ocean, some have lived to eight, they can grow as long as 4.9 feet and up to 129 pounds. Their typical length and weight are 3 ft and 30 lbs. We don’t target kings but can definitely catch them. If you would like to try and harvest a king salmon the spring combo trip is the best time to try.
(2023 limits have not been released) In 2022, each person is allowed one a day, 28 inches or greater, with a limit of four salmon each year.
The best way to catch halibut & rock fish in a day! Offered April 15-June 19 on a per person basis, or as a book the boat only option the remainder of the season.
Our full-day silver salmon charters depart at 6 a.m. and are offered mid-August through early September.
See the BEST Alaska has to offer all in one day! This trip has everything your family or group needs – Kayak by glaciers on a tour to the Kenai Fjords National Park, fish for salmon and rockfish, and sightsee all in a small group setting!
