Each fisherman dreams of getting a large trophy fish someday. Once you get one, you want to get more and more to establish yourself as a great fisherman. But trophies are tough to find and you must look really well for places where you could really find very large fish. Alaska is the perfect place to find the trophies you want.
There can actually be two types of trophies: ones that you want to show to your friends and really certified trophies. Both are something great to brag about, but there's a difference between a big fish and a certified trophy.
The ADF&G (Alaska Department for Fish and Game) Trophy Fish Program was founded in the 1960s to provide special recognition to fishermen who catch really impressive fish that meet certain standards of weight and length. For each species there is a certificate for weight and one for length. As a matter of fact, the one for weight is called "trophy fish", while the other is regarded to be a "catch-and-release" one and it doesn't apply to all species. The fish for both of them have to be caught from public waters, according to the current regulations.
There are minimum standards weights for each species. So if you want to have a certified trophy fish, the fish you caught needs to be heavier than that. For example, a Pink Salmon has to weigh at least 8 pounds to become a trophy, a grayling has to weigh over 3 pounds and a sheefish has to weigh more than 30 pounds. Also, you must have witnesses who'll take photos and a trophy fish official to certify the catch.
Usually fishermen who are practicing the sport often are more into certified trophies. If you just go there to have fun and get something cool to show your friends and family, any big fish will do. And there sure are plenty in Alaska so you don't have to worry that you won't have lots of fishing stories to tell when you'll get back home.
Whether you go on an Alaska fishing trips to have fun or to get trophies, you can always get both. With a bit of luck and assistance from the lodge's guide, you can go to the best fishing spots and catch massive fish. Just get your tackle box ready, plan the trip and discover if you'll impress everyone around by getting the biggest fish. Whether you'll get trophies or not, the fun and great time is guaranteed in the Alaska, which has the most generous lakes and rivers on the planet.
