What Allison Point offers and who should fish it

Allison Point is a rocky coastal access point just outside Valdez where saltwater species move through shallow water on tidal cycles. The point juts into Port Valdez and holds halibut, rockfish, and lingcod in the deeper channels, with occasional silver salmon in late summer and fall. The fishing is best on the incoming tide when baitfish concentrate near the rocks, and the access is straightforward — you can fish from the rocks themselves or launch a small boat if you have one.

This is not a destination for beginners learning to cast. The rocks are slick, the water is cold, and a slip means a serious situation. If you are comfortable on uneven ground and have experience with saltwater species, Allison Point rewards the effort with consistent bottom fishing and the chance at larger halibut than you will find in most nearshore spots around Valdez.

Key Takeaways

  • Allison Point is a rocky outcrop in Port Valdez accessible by vehicle, about 10 minutes from downtown Valdez, where halibut and rockfish hold year-round.
  • Incoming tide concentrates baitfish and predators near the rocks, making the two hours before high tide the most productive window.
  • Wear a life jacket, use felt-soled boots with good grip, and fish with a partner — the rocks are slippery and the water temperature is lethal if you go in.
  • Jigging with 3- to 8-ounce spoons or small shrimp under a float works better than casting, since you are fishing straight down into channels rather than across open water.

How to reach Allison Point from Valdez

From downtown Valdez, take the Richardson Highway north toward Fairbanks. After about 8 miles, turn right onto Old Richardson Highway (also called the Old Valdez Highway). Follow it for roughly 2 miles until you see the turnoff for Allison Point — it is marked but easy to miss. The final approach is a short gravel road that ends at a small parking area overlooking the point.

The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes from the harbor. There is no formal facility here — no restrooms, no covered area, no boat launch. Bring everything you need for the day, including water and a way to stay warm. Cell service is spotty, so do not rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies.

Tides, timing, and seasonal patterns

Port Valdez has a tidal range of about 10 feet, and the timing matters more than the season. Halibut and rockfish move into shallow water on the incoming tide to hunt baitfish concentrated near the rocks. The two hours before high tide is usually the window when you will see the most activity. Slack water at high tide slows the bite, and the outgoing tide pushes fish back into deeper channels where you cannot reach them from the rocks.

Check the tide tables for Valdez before you go — they are published by NOAA and available free online. Plan your trip to arrive an hour before the incoming tide begins, so you can set up and start fishing as the water begins to move. Summer tides are easier to predict than winter tides, but the fishing is consistent year-round as long as you time it to the water movement.

Silver salmon show up in late August and September when they move through Port Valdez toward the Lowe River. Halibut fishing is steady from May through October, with the largest fish typically in June and July. Winter fishing is possible but the weather is severe and the daylight is short.

Tackle and technique for Allison Point

Bring a medium-action saltwater rod rated for 15- to 30-pound line and a reel that holds at least 200 yards. Halibut and rockfish do not require heavy gear, but they will test your drag if you hook a large fish in a channel. Use 20- to 30-pound braided main line with a 30-pound monofilament leader — the braid gives you sensitivity to feel the bottom and detect bites, while the mono absorbs shock and resists the rocks.

Jigging is the most effective technique. Use 3- to 8-ounce spoons in silver, white, or chartreuse, or drop small shrimp under a float and let the tide carry them into the channels. Cast is less important than vertical presentation — you are fishing straight down into 30 to 60 feet of water, not casting across a flat. Bring multiple spoons because you will lose them on the rocks, and bring extra hooks and leaders because rockfish have rough mouths and will fray your line.

Halibut bite best on live or fresh baitfish — herring, sand eels, or small sculpins if you can get them. Rockfish will take spoons and jigs all day. If you are targeting salmon in late summer, bring small spinners and spoons in the 1/2- to 1-ounce range and fish them higher in the water column.

Safety on the rocks and what to bring

The rocks at Allison Point are covered in algae and barnacles, and they are slippery even when they look dry. Wear felt-soled wading boots or boots with aggressive tread — rubber soles will slide out from under you. Wear a life jacket at all times. The water temperature in Port Valdez is in the 40s even in summer, and you will lose consciousness in minutes if you go in without flotation.

Fish with a partner. If you slip and end up in the water, you need someone there to call for help and throw you a line. Bring a headlamp even if you plan to fish during daylight — the sun sets early in winter, and the rocks are harder to navigate in low light. Bring a first aid kit because cuts from barnacles and rocks are common and can get infected quickly in a marine environment.

Bring more water than you think you need, a rain jacket, and layers. The wind can come up fast off the water, and you will be standing still for hours. A small cooler with ice keeps your catch fresh and gives you something to sit on if you need a break.

Regulations and what you need to know before you go

You need an Alaska fishing license to fish saltwater in Port Valdez. Resident licenses are available through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website and cost less than non-resident licenses. You do not need a separate saltwater stamp — the license covers all saltwater fishing in the state.

Halibut and rockfish have bag limits that change year to year. Check the current regulations on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website before you fish. Possession limits are usually twice the daily bag limit, so you can keep fish from multiple days as long as you do not exceed the possession total. Salmon have their own limits and seasons — silver salmon are open in Port Valdez in fall, but check the exact dates because they vary.

There are no special use permits required for Allison Point itself. It is public access, but respect private property if you see posted land nearby. The point itself is accessible and open to fishing.

Alternatives if Allison Point is not working

If the tide is wrong or the bite is slow, the Valdez Small Boat Harbor has a public dock where you can fish for halibut and rockfish in slightly deeper, more stable water. The harbor is easier to fish than the rocks at Allison Point and does not require a boat. You can also drive to Shoup Bay, about 20 minutes from Valdez, where a gravel beach gives you access to similar species in a less technical setting.

If you want to fish for salmon specifically, the Lowe River near Valdez offers better odds for silver salmon in fall, though it requires wading and a different technique. The Tsaina River, about 30 miles south of Valdez on the Richardson Highway, is another option for salmon and has easier access than Allison Point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day to fish Allison Point?

Fish the two hours before high tide, when the incoming water pushes baitfish and predators into the shallows near the rocks. Check the tide table for Valdez and plan to arrive an hour early so you can set up and start fishing as the tide begins to move.

Do I need a boat to fish Allison Point?

No. You can fish from the rocks themselves in water 30 to 60 feet deep. A small boat gives you more options and lets you reach deeper channels, but it is not required. Most anglers fish from the rocks with jigging tackle.

What should I do if I slip on the rocks?

Wear a life jacket at all times and fish with a partner. If you go in, the life jacket will keep you afloat while your partner calls for help. The water temperature is cold enough to cause shock and loss of consciousness quickly, so flotation is not optional.

Can I keep the fish I catch at Allison Point?

Yes, as long as you follow the daily and possession limits set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Check the current regulations before you fish — limits change year to year. You need an Alaska fishing license to keep any fish.

What is the difference between fishing Allison Point and the Valdez Small Boat Harbor?

Allison Point has more dramatic tidal movement and deeper channels, which can hold larger halibut. The harbor is easier to fish and does not require balance on slippery rocks, but the water is shallower and the fishing is less technical. Both hold the same species.