Dutch Harbor Unalaska fishing forecast
Dutch Harbor Unalaska is a saltwater fishing spot in Aleutian Islands, United States. Anglers here target Pacific Halibut, Pacific Cod, Pollock. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #228 of 419 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending down — 5 points below this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 9.8 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 27 km/h from SSE |
| Wave height | 0.3 m at 4 s |
| Current | 0.03 m/s toward E |
| Pressure | 1017 hPa |
| Depth | 17 m |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
| Chlorophyll | 6.42 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 32.1 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 12 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Precipitation (24h) | 0.2 mm |
| Wind sea | 0.2 m at 2 s |
| Ground swell | 0.2 m at 4 s from SE |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.03 → 0.00 m/s |
The water here is 3.6 °C cooler than the September average of 13.5 °C. Cooler-than-normal water slows the bite for warm-water species and holds cool-water species shallower for longer. The water is mixed to about 39.4 m, with the thermocline below that.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Dutch Harbor Unalaska
Dutch Harbor Unalaska currently scores 71 out of 100 (Fair). Water temperature is 9.8 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Chlorophyll +5.4
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Chlorophyll front +5.0
- a plankton edge — classic feeding line
- Wind +3.3
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
What’s biting now
The model expects today: common-thresher, blue-shark
[object Object] — Protected here — release immediately
Bite windows
Best months for Dutch Harbor Unalaska:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-09-01, 83/100
22 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
+5 points vs the same day last week
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 17 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore-only
What you can catch
-
Hippoglossus stenolepis
-
Gadus macrocephalus
-
Pollachius pollachius
Best months by species at Dutch Harbor Unalaska
| Pacific HalibutHippoglossus stenolepis | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific CodGadus macrocephalus | ||||||||||||
| PollockPollachius pollachius |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific HalibutIPHC / U.S. federal fisheries authority Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Areas 2C and 3A) | — | — | — |
| NOT SET BY ALASKA. Pacific halibut is managed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and U.S. federal fisheries authority, not by ADF&G, and the rules differ between guided charter anglers and unguided anglers in the same water — Area 2C (Southeast) and Area 3A (Southcentral, including Homer and Kodiak) each have their own charter limits and size restrictions under the Catch Sharing Plan, set annually. Check the IPHC and U.S. federal fisheries authority rules for your regulatory area and whether your trip is guided. | |||
Licensing:
- combined — residents Resident annual sport fishing licence $20.00. Resident annual king salmon stamp $10.00. Low-income combined sport fishing, hunting and trapping licence $5.00., non-residents Non-resident sport fishing licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00. A king salmon stamp is priced to match the licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00.
FishRadar publishes NO bag or size limits for Alaska, on purpose. Alaska does not set statewide sport limits: ADF&G issues separate regulation booklets for the Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest and Northern regions, and then amends them during the season by emergency order, which is how king salmon fisheries open and close. Pacific halibut is not managed by Alaska at all but by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and U.S. federal fisheries authority, with different rules for guided and unguided anglers. Read the ADF&G booklet for your specific area, and check the emergency orders page on the day you fish.
Check Dutch Harbor Unalaska before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Dutch Harbor Unalaska?
Anglers at Dutch Harbor Unalaska target Pacific Halibut, Pacific Cod and Pollock.
When is the best time to fish Dutch Harbor Unalaska?
The most productive months at Dutch Harbor Unalaska are typically May, June, July, August, September.
What is the fishing forecast for Dutch Harbor Unalaska right now?
Dutch Harbor Unalaska currently scores 71 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Dutch Harbor Unalaska from shore?
Yes — Dutch Harbor Unalaska is fishable from shore (offshore-only).
Is the thermocline set up at Dutch Harbor Unalaska right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Dutch Harbor Unalaska?
The scored point sits over roughly 17 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Pacific Halibut: The Barn Door of the North PacificHow to Read Tides for FishingHow to Read a Fishing Forecast
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.