Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaska, sometimes called the "panhandle," is a land of deep fjords, rushing mountain streams and glaciers. Much of the land is in the Tongass National Forest. Summers are cool and moist; winters are cooler and snowy, but much less cold than portions of Alaska not warmed by the ocean. Salmon return in large numbers to thousands of streams. Halibut move into near shore waters in the summer. Several species of trout are available. A variety of bottom fish can be caught. Shrimp and crab can be found in some waters.

PLACE

The Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers drain most of Interior, Arctic and Western AK. Western and Arctic AK is sparsely tree covered. Except for alpine and sub-alpine areas, most of the Interior is covered by trees. Distinct mountain ranges, rolling hills and wide river valleys and flats are the dominant landscape features. Summers along the coast are cool, and warm in the Interior. Salmon make long distance migrations up the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. Grayling are perhaps most widespread, but trout, pike, burbot, char, and sheefish are widely distributed.