Destination Alaska Blog
Winter in Homer Alaska: Fishing & Wildlife In the Shoulder Season
When the summer crowds go home and the days get shorter, Homer, Alaska, becomes a peaceful, sparkling winter wonderland. For anglers and wildlife enthusiasts, the shoulder season—late fall to early spring—is a special time: fewer boats on the water, snow-capped mountains in view and fish and wildlife that thrive in Alaska’s cold.
Late-Season Angling: Quiet Waters, Big Fish
While most think of summer as prime fishing season, die-hard anglers know that off-season Alaska fishing can be good too and Homer’s late-season and early-spring fisheries are full of opportunity. As the water cools, halibut and rockfish can still be found in deeper waters and our seasoned captains—like our team at Destination Alaska Adventure—know exactly where to find them.
Early spring also means the first salmon runs are starting and feeder kings (Chinook salmon) are becoming active in Kachemak Bay. These resident kings provide great Alaska salmon fishing before the big summer runs arrive. If you want to escape the crowds and catch a trophy fish in the quiet of Alaska’s winter landscape, this is your time.
Dress in layers and let your captain guide you to protected coves and hot spots where winter fish tend to congregate. The colder months often deliver the kind of solitude—and fishing action—you can’t find in mid-summer.
Wildlife Viewing: A Different Kind of Wild
As the landscape quiets, Alaska’s wildlife becomes even more amazing. While our bear viewing tours in Katmai and Lake Clark slow down in the winter, early spring means the return of the coastal brown bears. When the snow melts and salmon start to move inland, these bears emerge from hibernation—hungry, curious and active. Our Alaska bear viewing trips are timed to coincide with these early-season movements so you can have safe, responsible and awe-inspiring encounters.
And it’s not just bears. Bald eagles gather on the Homer Spit and nearby coastline, drawn by open water and food. Sea otters, seals and even the occasional orca can be seen on winter wildlife tours or flightseeing adventures—each one a front-row seat to the raw, quiet beauty of Alaska’s coastal ecosystems.
Why Visit Alaska in the Shoulder Season
Traveling to Homer in the shoulder season has its perks:* Less people, more you – A more personal Alaska experience.
Different light, different landscapes – The low winter sun paints the Kenai Mountains gold and pink.
Great photography – Wildlife and seascapes in pure winter clarity.
- Custom charters and lodging – With less demand you can often choose custom charters and cozy stays.
Book Your Winter or Early-Spring Trip to Homer
Whether you’re looking for late-season halibut, want to see Alaska’s brown bears in the spring or just want to experience the quiet of Homer’s winter shoreline, Destination Alaska Adventure can make it happen. Our guides know these waters and wildernesses better than anyone and we’re here to help you make the most of the shoulder season.
Ready to book your off-season Alaska trip?
Contact us today to learn more about our charter fishing trips, bear viewing and flightseeing tours. Winter in Homer might be our best-kept secret!
