Alaska Ice Fishing Adventure on Kenai Peninsula
Shared Trip
River Fishing
4-hour guided ice fishing adventure on Kenai PeninsulaTarget cod and flounder through ice with expert instructionSmall group experience with maximum 3 anglers per trip
Picture yourself bundled up in Alaska's crisp winter air, drill in hand, ready to punch through solid ice on the hunt for some serious cold-water fish. Our shared 4-hour ice fishing trip takes you right to the heart of winter angling on the Kenai Peninsula, where the fishing doesn't stop just because the lakes freeze over. For $165 per person, you'll join up to 2 other anglers for an early morning adventure that kicks off at 6AM sharp. This isn't your typical summer fishing charter—it's a chance to experience Alaska's fishing scene when most folks are sitting by the fire indoors.
When you roll up to our meeting spot in the pre-dawn darkness, you'll immediately feel that Alaska winter magic in the air. The Kenai Peninsula transforms into a winter wonderland, and the frozen lakes become our fishing grounds. We keep groups small—just 3 anglers max—so you get plenty of personal attention and space to work your holes. Your guide will have the auger ready to drill fresh holes, and we'll set you up with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, and bait. The beauty of ice fishing is the simplicity—no complicated boat maneuvers or casting techniques. Just drop your line through the ice and wait for that telltale tug. The quiet out there is something else, broken only by the occasional crack of shifting ice and hopefully the buzz of your reel when a fish decides to bite.
Ice fishing is all about patience and reading the water below. We'll start by drilling holes using a power auger—typically 8 inches in diameter, perfect for landing good-sized fish while keeping the hole manageable. Your guide will check ice thickness first thing (we never fish on anything less than 4 inches), then help you understand how to read your fish finder to locate schools of cod and flounder. The rods we use are shorter than your typical fishing rod—usually 24 to 36 inches—designed specifically for ice fishing. You'll be using small jigs tipped with bait, working them in a gentle jigging motion to attract fish. The key is staying active but not overdoing it. These cold-water species can be finicky, so sometimes a subtle twitch is all it takes. We'll show you how to feel the difference between your jig hitting bottom and a fish picking it up—that's where the real skill comes in.
Atlantic Cod are the bread and butter of our ice fishing trips, and for good reason. These guys stay active all winter long, often schooling up in deeper sections of our fishing spots. Cod typically run 2-5 pounds through the ice, though don't be surprised if you hook into something bigger. They're aggressive feeders and will hit jigs tipped with herring or shrimp pretty readily. What makes cod so fun is their fight—they'll pull hard and steady, making your rod bend in a satisfying arc. Plus, they're fantastic eating if you're planning to take some fish home.
Red Irish Lord might sound like an odd name, but these sculpin are some of the most interesting fish you'll pull through the ice. They're bottom dwellers with huge mouths and spiny fins, typically weighing 1-3 pounds. Don't let their weird looks fool you—they're solid fighters and surprisingly good on the dinner table. Irish Lords are ambush predators, so they'll often hit your jig hard and fast when it gets close to their hiding spots near structure.
Atlantic Halibut through the ice are special. While you won't be landing barn doors like you might in summer, winter halibut in the 5-15 pound range are common and pack a serious punch. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying on the bottom waiting for prey to swim by. When a halibut hits your jig, you'll know it—they have a distinctive heavy, head-shaking fight that'll test your ice fishing skills.
Sockeye Salmon can be a bonus catch during certain times of the winter, though they're less predictable than the other species. When they do bite, it's game on. Even a 3-4 pound sockeye will make multiple runs and jumps, creating quite a show on light ice fishing tackle. These salmon are pure silver muscle, and landing one through a small ice hole requires finesse and patience.
This top-rated ice fishing experience fills up fast, especially during peak winter months when the ice conditions are perfect. At just $165 per person for 4 hours of guided fishing, you're getting world-class access to some of Alaska's best cold-water angling. The early 6AM start means you'll be fishing during prime feeding times, and the small group size ensures you won't be fighting for holes or attention from your guide. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or a visitor wanting to experience authentic Alaska winter fishing, this trip delivers. Bundle up, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to discover why ice fishing has such a devoted following up here in the Last Frontier.
Gadus MorhuaAtlantic cod are solid winter targets that average 2-4 feet and can hit 80 pounds. You'll find them near bottom in 20-200 feet, often around rocky areas or sandy flats where they hunt for crabs and smaller fish. They're recognizable by that distinctive barbel under their chin and the white lateral line. Winter months are prime since they stay deep in cold water - perfect for our ice fishing conditions. What guests love is the steady fight and excellent eating - flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're not the flashiest fish but they're reliable and tasty. Pro tip: use a bouncing sinker rig with squid or crab bait. Keep your bait moving just off bottom - cod are curious and will investigate movement, but they won't chase it far like other species might.
Hippoglossus HippoglossusAtlantic halibut are monsters - the world's largest flatfish that can reach over 400 pounds, though most we see run 30-80 pounds. These diamond-shaped giants live on sandy bottoms in 150-500 feet of water, preferring temps around 38-40°F. They're ambush predators that'll eat anything - cod, crabs, even seabirds. What makes them special is the fight - they're incredibly strong swimmers that'll test your gear and stamina. The meat is also top-shelf, firm white fillets that taste amazing. Winter through early spring gives you the best shot when they move into shallower water. Here's a local trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work. These fish have been known to break rods when anglers horse them too hard.
Hemilepidotus HemilepidotusRed Irish Lords are quirky bottom dwellers that make ice fishing interesting. These colorful sculpins average around 12 inches and love hiding in rocky areas under 165 feet of water. They're masters of camouflage - red, brown, and yellow colors that shift to match their surroundings. What's cool is their hunting style: they'll sit motionless until a crab walks right over them, then snap. Winter is prime time since they spawn in cold months and stay put near structure. Guests love the surprise factor - you never know when you'll hook one. They're not huge fighters but they're tasty and fun to catch. My tip: use small crab or shrimp pieces and fish right on bottom near rocks. Don't move your bait much - let them come to you just like they hunt naturally.
Oncorhynchus NerkaSockeye salmon aren't typical ice fishing targets since they're anadromous - born in freshwater, they head to sea then return to spawn. Most run 18-32 inches and 4-15 pounds. You'd catch them during their upstream migration in summer months, not through ice. They're incredible fighters with that deep red flesh that's prized by chefs everywhere. When they're spawning, males turn bright red with green heads - pretty spectacular sight. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling. If you were targeting them during open water season, small colorful flies work best since they get aggressive defending territory. For our winter ice trips though, you'll be focused on the cod and flounder that stay active in cold water year-round rather than these seasonal migrants.
Alaska