Tackle Trade World - May 2024

DBW...
ALASKA
ALASKA
D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .
The largest US state by area, Alaska is a world-renowned destination for
fishing. Thanks to its thousands of rivers, millions of lakes and thousands
of miles of coastline, it offers some truly diverse sport in often stunning
locations. How do you get the most from it?
L
ocated
in the
northwest
corner
of North
America,
Alaska may
be the most sparsely inhabited
of the United States with
one of the smallest resident
populations but it is home
to abundant freshwater fish
stocks, from various salmon to
rainbow trout, grayling, Arctic
char, Dolly Varden and pike,
among others.
Some of the salmon species
can also be targeted in
saltwater, alongside myriad
rockfish, ling cod, halibut,
sablefish (black cod) and
Pacific cod and more.
With an estimated 627
species of fish in total, Alaska
makes a dream destination
for any angler and it’s perhaps
no surprise that around two
thirds of fishing licences for
the territory are purchased by
visitors rather than residents
each year.
In all, there are
approximately 3,000 rivers,
three million lakes and 6,640
miles of coastline to go at,
resulting in thriving businesses
for fishing lodges inland and
charter boats in various ports.
Alaskan angling is overseen
by the Division of Sport Fish,
which protects, maintains
and improves these valuable
sport fisheries and the many
personal use fisheries.
Established in 1951, the
division’s creation coincided
with the Dingell-Johnson Act,
which established an excise tax
on items such as fishing tackle
and motor boat fuel.
These Sport Fish
Restoration funds are
distributed back to the states
to conduct activities such as
fisheries management, research
and restoration.
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