Multi-Species Fishing at Raspberry Island Lodge
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Multispecies fishing targets salmon, halibut, cod, and rockfish offshoreAllinclusive lodge stay features meals, equipment, and fish processingRemote Raspberry Island location offers 36 day package options
Picture this: you're anchored over productive waters off Raspberry Island, lines down in 200 feet of clear Pacific water, waiting for that telltale tap of a big halibut or the screaming run of a king salmon. This isn't your typical day trip – it's a top-rated multi-day fishing adventure that combines world-class offshore fishing with the comfort of genuine lodge hospitality. From June through mid-September, Cranberry Creek Lodge offers anglers the chance to target five premier Pacific species while enjoying hot meals, warm beds, and expert guiding in one of Alaska's most productive fishing zones.
Your fishing days start early with a hearty breakfast at the lodge before heading out to the prime fishing grounds surrounding Raspberry Island. The waters here are known for holding everything from massive Pacific halibut to aggressive lingcod, and your experienced guides know exactly where to find them. Each day brings different opportunities – you might start by dropping heavy jigs for halibut on the deep reefs, then move to shallower structure for lingcod and rockfish, finishing the day trolling for salmon in the tide lines. The beauty of this multi-day format is that you're not rushed. If the halibut are biting, you can stay put. If the salmon are running thick, you can chase them without watching the clock. Your guides provide all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge you need, plus they'll clean and process your catch each evening. Between the productive fishing and comfortable accommodations, it's no wonder this trip has become a customer favorite among serious anglers looking for both quality fishing and genuine Alaskan hospitality.
The guides at Raspberry Island come equipped with heavy-duty rods and reels designed for Alaska's big fish – think 6/0 to 9/0 conventional reels loaded with 80-pound test, paired with stout 7-foot rods that can handle anything from 3-pound lingcod jigs to 40-ounce halibut sinkers. For halibut, you'll be using circle hooks with herring or salmon bellies, working the bottom in 150 to 300 feet of water. Lingcod fishing means bouncing large rubber swim baits and metal jigs through rocky structure, while the salmon fishing involves trolling spoons, hoochies, and cut-plug herring at various depths depending on where the fish are holding. The cod fishing is straightforward bottom fishing with smaller jigs and bait rigs. Your guides handle all the rigging and will teach you the techniques as you go – from proper jigging cadence for lingcod to reading the sonar marks that indicate schools of fish. The lodge's boats are well-maintained and equipped with quality fish finders, downriggers, and all the safety gear required for offshore fishing in Alaskan waters.
Pacific Halibut are the crown jewel of this fishery, with barn doors ranging from 50 to over 200 pounds lurking on the deep reefs around Raspberry Island. These bottom-dwelling giants are most active during slack tides and feed heavily on the abundant baitfish in these waters. What makes halibut fishing so addictive is the fight – they're like hooking into a coffee table that doesn't want to come up, and the anticipation of not knowing if you've got a 20-pounder or a 100-pounder until you see it at the boat keeps your heart racing. Prime season runs from mid-June through August when the big fish move into shallower water to feed.
Chinook Salmon, the legendary king salmon, are the ultimate prize for any Pacific angler. These chrome-bright rockets can exceed 40 pounds in these waters and are known for their acrobatic fights and long, powerful runs. Kings are most abundant from mid-June through July, when they're feeding heavily on herring and needlefish before heading to their spawning rivers. The strike of a big king is unmistakable – a solid thump followed by line peeling off the reel as the fish makes its first run toward deep water.
Coho Salmon, or silvers, are the acrobats of the salmon family and provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. These aggressive feeders hit lures hard and immediately go airborne, often jumping multiple times during the fight. Coho are abundant from July through September around Raspberry Island, and they're particularly active in the early morning and evening hours when they feed on the surface schools of baitfish.
Lingcod are the reef predators that lurk in the rocky structure around the island, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. These toothy monsters can reach 40 pounds and are known for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. What makes lingcod fishing so exciting is the visual aspect – they often follow your jig all the way to the surface, and you can watch them decide whether to strike or not. They're most active from June through August and provide consistent action when the salmon fishing slows down.
Pacific Cod are the bread-and-butter fish of this area, providing steady action and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers are abundant year-round but fish best during the summer months when they move into shallower water to feed. While they may not provide the adrenaline rush of a big king salmon, cod are reliable biters and make for great fish and chips back at the lodge. They're also perfect for novice anglers to build confidence and learn proper bottom fishing techniques.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a complete Alaskan fishing experience that combines world-class multi-species fishing with genuine lodge comfort and hospitality. The combination of productive waters, expert guides, and comfortable accommodations makes this a best trip choice for anglers who want to fish hard during the day and relax in comfort each evening. With packages ranging from 4
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Raspberry Island aboard The Legacy, our brand-new 33-foot Landing Craft from Velocity Marine! This versatile fishing platform just joined our fleet for 2025 and was built specifically for serious anglers. The walk-around cabin design gives you maximum deck space to work the water for cod, halibut, lingcod, rockfish, crab, and both king and silver salmon. The Legacy handles offshore conditions like a champ while keeping you comfortable during long fishing days. You'll have a fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark hot spots, and VHF radio for safety. The onboard refrigerator and icebox keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. When you need a break from the action, there's a proper bed and head aboard. This trip combines serious fishing with comfortable island lodging - you'll spend your days working the rich waters then return to the lodge for hot meals, showers, and warm beds. Choose from 3 to 6-day packages running June through mid-September when the fishing is prime. All gear, guides, and fish processing included for 2 guests.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the trophy fish everyone dreams about - these bruisers can push 20-40 pounds and fight like freight trains. They've got that distinctive black mouth and gums, plus the richest, most flavorful meat of any salmon. We target them in deeper water since they're light-sensitive and stay down during the day. Early morning and evening bites are best, especially July through September when they're feeding heavy before spawning runs. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that'll make your drag scream. Fresh king salmon is table fare that can't be beat, whether you smoke it or grill it. Local secret: when trolling, use a heavy sinker to get your herring down 60-80 feet and keep it moving steady.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are absolute acrobats - they'll jump clear out of the water and put on a show that'll have you grinning ear to ear. These beauties typically run 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and that famous orange-red meat that tastes as good as it looks. Around Raspberry Island, we find them in the upper water column during summer months, especially when baitfish are schooling. They're aggressive feeders and will hit spoons, flies, or herring with authority. What makes cohos special is their wild fighting spirit - they never give up easy. Here's a local trick: when you see them jumping and feeding on the surface, switch to a bright pink or chartreuse spoon and fish it fast just under the action.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod are the ocean's bullies - ugly as sin with massive heads full of razor-sharp teeth, but man do they make great eating. These aren't actually cod but aggressive bottom dwellers that can hit 20-30 pounds around our rocky reefs. You'll find them in 50-200 feet, hugging structure where they ambush anything that swims by. They're available year-round but summer fishing is prime when they're more active. What guests love is how hard they fight on the way up - pure deadweight power that'll test your arms. The white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast - they'll try to wrap you around every rock down there if you give them slack.
Gadus MacrocephalusPacific cod might not win beauty contests, but they're solid fighters and some of the best eating fish in these waters. Most run 5-15 pounds with that classic white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or chowder. You'll find them near bottom in 100-400 feet over mixed terrain - they're not picky about structure. They bite year-round but summer and fall fishing is most consistent when they're feeding heavily. What makes cod fishing fun is they're aggressive and will hit almost anything you drop down there. The fight is steady and determined rather than flashy. Here's what works: cod are greedy, so don't overthink your bait - squid strips or mackerel on a 5/0 hook will do the trick every time.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the sea - these massive flatfish can weigh anywhere from 20 pounds to well over 100, with that sweet white meat that makes the best fish and chips you've ever had. We find them on sandy and muddy bottoms in 80-300 feet, where they lie camouflaged waiting to ambush prey. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. The fight is pure bulldogging power - they don't jump but they'll pull drag and test every knot you tied. What's special is landing a fish that could be older than you are. My go-to setup uses a 2-pound sinker with a big circle hook and fresh salmon belly. Keep your bait moving slightly - halibut like motion.
Fairbanks