Kyle Skov, Owatonna, MN

If you’re looking to level up your fishing game, let me introduce you to the dream combo: King salmon fishing on the Nushagak River near Dillingham, followed by halibut hunting in Homer. It’s the kind of back-to-back adventure that turns seasoned anglers into storytellers.

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Dillingham: Where Kings Rule the River

Located in the heart of Bristol Bay, Dillingham is your gateway to the legendary Nushagak River, home to one of the largest wild king salmon runs in Alaska. Outfitters like Nushagak Outfitters and Alaska King Salmon Adventures offer 5-day packages that immerse you in the raw beauty of the Alaskan frontier.

• Timing: Peak king salmon season runs from mid-June to early July.
• Experience: Whether you go guided or unguided, expect heart-pounding action as you battle Chinook salmon that can weigh 30–50 pounds.
• Setting: Remote riverside lodges, gourmet meals, and the kind of silence only found in true wilderness.
• Float Plane: The float plane ride from Dillingham up the Nushagak was very memorable.  Every member of the party including our gear had to go on the scale before leaving so the pilot could stay under his weight.  

I still remember the moment I landed my first Nushagak king—it hit like a freight train and ran like it had somewhere to be. The fight lasted nearly 20 minutes, and I was grinning for hours afterward.

We flew multiple flights to get to fish camp on the Nushagak river and met some great people.  One couple we met was originally from Owatonna and have since moved back there.  Small world for sure.

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Homer: Halibut Heaven Awaits

After your river adventure, rent a car and drive down to Homer for a salty contrast. The halibut here are deep-dwelling giants, and the ocean offers a whole new rhythm. It’s a perfect way to round out your Alaskan fishing experience.

• Combo Options: Many charters offer halibut/salmon or halibut/rockfish combos.  Depending on the tide chart, the halibut areas might not be good all day.  Good charters will get you out after salmon and rockfish during the slow times of the day, but will make sure your where you need to be for the halibut.
• Scenery: Towering mountains, glacier views, and marine wildlife galore.  Depending on the fishing location, the ride from Homer could be half hour to 2 hours.  The boat ride is a journey in itself.
• Catch: Halibut ranging from 20 to 200+ pounds, plus bonus species like lingcod and rockfish.  My largest fish, a 65 pounder broke the harpoon.  The captain had to go old school to get it in the boat.  Halibut fishing in Homer is a full-body workout, it feels like dragging a barn door off the ocean floor..
• Charter boats: Each charter begins early—usually around 6:30 a.m.—with a safety briefing, gear setup, and a scenic ride to the fishing grounds. Along the way, we often spot whales, puffins, and sea otters, making the journey as memorable as the catch.

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Logistics & Tips

• Travel: Fly into Dillingham via Anchorage, then return to Anchorage and drive to Homer.
• Fish Transport: The Anchorage airport has freezer space that can be rented for your fish boxes.  Some hotels also have freezers where you can store frozen fish.  There are fish processors in Homer that will clean, package and flash freeze your catch.  No need to overnight home, just get an insulated fish box and check the box (keep it under 50#, the packer will weight it for you).  
• Packing: Layered clothing, waterproof gear, and bear-safe storage for the river leg.
• Mindset: Be ready to unplug, embrace the elements, and fish like you mean it.
• Sidetrips: We really enjoyed our side trip to Whitter, AK.  To get there you drive through a tunnel that is shared with train tracks.  Cars drive on the tracks (when there are no trains) travel only goes in one direction at a time.  So for the first half of the hour you can go one way then the other direction has their turn.

🎣 Two Worlds, One Epic Tale

This combo trip is more than just fishing—it’s a full-spectrum immersion into Alaska’s wild soul. From the thunderous runs of king salmon in pristine rivers to the deep-sea battles with halibut off Homer’s coast, it’s a journey that leaves you changed. And if you’re lucky, with a freezer full of fillets and a heart full of stories.

Since traveling to Dillingham and Homer, I’ve returned a few time to Homer for Halibut.  

When not fishing, Homer offers hiking trails, art galleries, and the famous Homer Spit. I’ve kayaked with sea otters, watched bears from a safe distance, and even taken a flightseeing tour over glaciers. It’s a place where nature feels close enough to touch.

Homer isn’t just a fishing town—it’s a portal to adventure. Nestled on the edge of Kachemak Bay, it offers access to rich fishing grounds teeming with halibut, salmon, rockfish, and lingcod. I’ve fished with several charter outfits.

Multiple trips to Homer have taught me that fishing is never just about the fish. It’s about the people you meet, the landscapes that humble you, and the stories that get better with every retelling. Whether you’re chasing trophy halibut or just soaking in the Alaskan vibes, Homer delivers every single time.

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