Sitka was originally settled by the native Tlingit Indians. Old Sitka was founded in 1799 by Alexandr Baranov who was named the governor of Russian America. Baronov was the Chief Manager of the Russian-American Company, a semi-official colonial trading company. In 1802 a group of Tlingit destroyed the original establishment and massacred most of the Russian inhabitants. Baranov was forced to levy 10,000 rubles in ransom for the safe return of the surviving settlers. Baranov returned to Sitka in 1804 with a large contingent of Russians and Aleuts aboard a Russian ship. The ship bombarded the native’s village, forcing the Tlingits to retreat into the surrounding forest. Following their victory, the Russians established a permanent settlement in the form of a fort, named "Novo-Arkhangelsk" (or "new Archangel") Baranov was still governor in 1808 when Sitka was designated the capital of Russian America and was the busiest seaport on the west coast of North America.

In 1867 after the seat otter pelt trade died out, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, and Sitka was chosen as the site of the ceremony in which the Russian flag was lowered and the U. S. flag was raised. The flag lowering and flag raising event is still celebrated in Sitka every year on October 18 (Alaska Day). After the original flag ceremony, the entire U.S. presence in Alaska consisted of a single customs inspector until the Klondike Gold Rush. Sitka remained the capital of the Alaska Territory until 1906 when the capital was relocated to Juneau.

While gold mining and fish canning paved the way for Sitka’s growth, it wasn’t until World War II when the Navy constructed an air base on Japonski Island that Sitka finally came into its own. Today Sitka encompasses portions of Baranof Island and the smaller Japonski Island, which is connected to Baranof Island by the O’Connell Bridge. The waters around Sitka are famous for the presence of large populations of humpback whales. Each November the town celebrates ‘Whale Fest" at the peak of the October-January southern migration of the 40-ton cetaceans.

Sitka is a blend of Tlingit culture and Russian history and offers a combination of Native culture, Russian history, and Alaskan wilderness. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska is the Tribal government of the Sheet’-Ká area which encompasses all of the Baranof Island and the southern and western half of Chichigof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeastern Alaska. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska is the federally recognized government for more than 3700 Tribal Citizens who are primarily of Tlingit, Haida, Aleut and Tsimpsian heritage.

In Sitka your salmon will be picked up by Alaska Bounty (907) 966-2927 to hold in a freezer overnight and it will be delivered to you as you check in for your flight home. You should call Alaska Bounty upon your initial arrival in Sitka to make a reservation to have your salmon picked up.

The meals at the Lodge are hearty and served family style with a selection of California wines at every dinner. Meals are served in the dining room overlooking scenic Warm Springs Bay and emphasize local seafood (Halibut, salmon, succulent mounds of crab, shrimp and claims), together with fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden.

Nonresident Fishing Licenses:

1 day sport fishing $20.00

3 day sport fishing $35.00

7 day sport fishing $55.00

14 day sport fishing $80.00

King Salmon Stamp: This stamp is required for anyone who fishes for anadromous king salmon except for residents and nonresidents under the age of 16 and persons who have these license types: resident blind fishing license, resident low income license, resident 60 years of age or older Permanent Identification Card license, and a resident disabled Veteran's license.

Limit your checked luggage to 2 pieces. (A rod tube counts as one piece.) Checked bags are to be no larger than 62 inches (height + length + width) and cannot exceed 50 pounds each. Carry-on bags are to be no larger than 45 inches (height + length + width) and cannot exceed 40 pounds each.

Contact Information
SMG Outdoors 214-632-4416
esmith@smgoutdoors.com