Port Guide

Gustavus Fishing Guide

Lodge-based halibut and salmon fishing at the gateway to Glacier Bay.

Gustavus is the small gateway town to Glacier Bay National Park, sitting on a flat peninsula with the park wrapping around it on the land side; no roads reach it from anywhere else. Its charter boats fish Icy Strait and Cross Sound, the waters connecting the Gulf of Alaska to the northern Inside Passage, which puts halibut, all five Pacific salmon species, lingcod, and rockfish within reach of a day boat.

Unlike charter-fleet towns, Gustavus runs on lodges: most visitors book multi-day packages that bundle lodging, meals, and daily guided fishing, and some even include licenses and fish processing. A handful of independent day charters operate too, and it's easy to fold in the area's other draws: the Glacier Bay day boat out of Bartlett Cove, ten miles from town, and humpback whale watching around Point Adolphus.

The season is short and defined: local operators typically run from about the first of May to mid-September, so beds and boats book up well ahead for July and August.

When to Go

• May–early June: Charter season opens around May 1. Early halibut fishing with the fewest visitors; the seasonal Alaska Airlines jet hasn't started yet, so you'll fly small planes from Juneau.
• June–July: Peak season: halibut, king salmon, and building runs of other salmon in Icy Strait, plus humpback whales feeding near Point Adolphus. Alaska Airlines jet service runs early June to late August.
• August: Silver salmon fishing at its best while halibut stays productive: the busiest month for lodges.
• Early–mid September: Silvers continue and crowds thin, but most operators close up by mid-September.

What You Can Catch

Species	Prime Months	Notes
Halibut	May–mid-Sep	The anchor of Gustavus fishing: local grounds in Icy Strait often produce in relatively shallow water. Charter halibut size and bag rules change annually, so verify the current rules before your trip.
King (Chinook) salmon	May–Jul	Trolled in Icy Strait; requires a King Salmon Stamp on top of your license, and king regulations shift frequently, so check current ADF&G rules.
Silver (coho) salmon	Jul–Sep	The late-summer headliner, with August the standout month.
Pink & chum salmon	Jul–Aug	Part of the midsummer mix as all five salmon species funnel through Icy Strait toward inside waters.
Lingcod	Summer	Taken on bottomfish trips alongside halibut; lingcod have their own season and size limits, so confirm current dates with ADF&G.
Rockfish (incl. yelloweye)	May–Sep	Consistent on bottom trips. Retention rules, especially for yelloweye, have tightened in Southeast in recent years, so follow your captain on what can be kept.

Seasons and limits change — always confirm current regulations with ADF&G before booking.

How Trips Work in Gustavus

Gustavus is a lodge town first: the standard trip is a multi-day, all-inclusive package with lodging, meals, and a guided boat each day, and some packages fold in fishing licenses and fish processing, so confirm what's included when you book. Independent day charters exist as well and can often be booked through your accommodation. Boats fish Icy Strait and Cross Sound, and because the fleet is small and the season runs only from about May 1 to mid-September, prime July and August dates go early.

Getting to Gustavus

There's no road to Gustavus. In summer (early June to late August), Alaska Airlines flies a jet into Gustavus (GST) each evening; the rest of the year, and as a same-day alternative, regional carriers Alaska Seaplanes and Ward Air fly small planes from Juneau. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry also sails from Juneau roughly twice a week, taking about 4.5 to 6 hours depending on stops. Once you're in town, Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park's visitor area, is about 10 miles away, and lodges generally handle airport pickups.

Local Tips

›Book lodge packages months ahead for July and August; it's a small town with a short season and limited beds.
›Bring your own rain gear and rubber boots; charter boats don't provide it, and this is Southeast Alaska rainforest weather.
›Ask your lodge exactly what the package covers: licenses, tackle, and fish processing are included at some operations and not others.
›Plan a non-fishing day for the Glacier Bay tour boat from Bartlett Cove or a whale-watching run to Point Adolphus; both are close.
›Traveling outside the June–August jet window? Build your itinerary around Juneau, since small planes and the twice-weekly ferry are the way in.
›Don't expect electric reels for halibut; they're not standard gear, and many anglers here prefer hand-cranking anyway.

Gustavus FAQs

Do I need a fishing license in Gustavus?

Yes. A nonresident license is $30 per day or $145 for the year, with a King Salmon Stamp extra if you fish for kings. Some lodge packages include licenses, but confirm before you travel.

How do I get to Gustavus and Glacier Bay?

Fly. Alaska Airlines jets in each evening from early June to late August, and Alaska Seaplanes or Ward Air fly from Juneau year-round; you can also take the state ferry from Juneau (roughly twice weekly, 4.5–6 hours). There is no road access.

How much does fishing in Gustavus cost?

Most fishing here is sold as multi-day, all-inclusive lodge packages covering lodging, meals, and daily charters, so pricing varies widely by lodge and trip length. Day charters can also be booked directly, so get current rates from operators.

When is the best time to fish Gustavus?

Halibut fishes well from May into September; kings peak in early summer and silvers in August. The whole charter season runs only from about May 1 to mid-September.

Is Gustavus inside Glacier Bay National Park?

The town itself sits just outside the park but is surrounded by it on the land side. Bartlett Cove, the park's visitor area and tour-boat dock, is about 10 miles from town.