A Guide to Catching Hooligan in Alaska

Want to know how to catch hooligan, including what gear you’ll need? You’ve come to the right place!

Before you learn how to catch hooligans in Alaska, you probably need to know what hooligans are. Hooligan is an accurate word, and it’s the name of a fish.

The scientific name is Thaleichthys pacificus. Other names for them are Eulachon, smelt, and Candlefish.

When I tried hooligan for the first time, I enjoyed it. The ones I’ve had were fried. I just copied what the person who handed me one did and dipped the battered fish in Thai chili sauce. It was fantastic!

Hooligans are about 8 to 10 inches long, about the size of a herring. They have shades of blue and silver, particularly in salt water. When caught in fresh water on their way to spawn, they display shades of brown and green.

The taste of the fish was mild. It had a crunchy exterior since it was fried, but the inside was flavorful, oily, and had a soft texture. I liked them.

Unlike salmon, hooligans don’t return to the same stream they were born in.

Who Can Catch Hooligan in Alaska?

My family and I arrived in Alaska in May, and we were fortunate. We saw several dozen Alaskans netting for hooligans, and the hooligans were running.

The word “running” means that the fish were coming into the body of water in high numbers and were likely to spawn.

Alaskan residents with a sport fishing license are the only people who can catch hooligans. You can get your Alaskan sport fishing license on the Alaska Fish and Game website.

Since I’m not Alaskan, I could not fish for them, but my family and I felt privileged that we had witnessed others netting for them.

We usually only write on experiences that we actually do, but for this one we weren’t allowed to participate.

Nevertheless, some strangers at the bank showed us how they dip net, and it’s such an incredible tradition that we wanted to share what we learned with others.

What Are Hooligans Used For?

This was a different type of fishery than we were used to seeing and one that’s been practiced in Alaska for centuries.

Hooligans make hooligan oil a valuable commodity for native Alaskans. It was so important that hooligan oil was traded for furs, copper, and obsidian in the Yukon.

Tribes carried oil from coastal to mainland regions along “grease trails,” which went through Chilkat Pass and ultimately became the Haines Highway. Other grease trails included the Dalton and Naas Trails.

Hooligan oil or grease was used to make candles and was put on food, similar to how butter is used today. It was also used in ceremonies and was an important food source due to its high caloric value.

When it was traded, over one hundred people would embark on the interior at a time, carrying about 100 pounds of oil per person.

Today, hooligans are still used to make hooligan oil, which is consumed at special gatherings by people who appreciate them.

The process can take up to two days to render the fish into oil, the same as it was thousands of years ago. Perhaps the most significant difference is that a steel pot renders the fish instead of a canoe.

How to Catch Hooligan in Alaska with a Dip Net

We catch salmon on the Kenai River by flossing. We also do this when the fish are running. However, hooligans aren’t seen by rod and reel but rather with dip nets. The woman who described how to catch hooligan called the technique “sweeping”.

Dip nets have a long handle and are made of either wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. A net with holes small enough that the hooligan can’t escape is attached at the end.

My kids and I interviewed several people along the bank of the Seward Highway to learn how to catch hooligans in Alaska with a dip net. Ethan and Luci got an excellent education that day by watching people catch hooligans. Here’s what we learned about catching this oily fish:

1. Stand on the bank of the water.
2. Put your dip net upstream at a 45-degree angle.
3. Sweep your dip net slowly downstream until you reach a 45-degree angle.
4. Once you feel fish in the net, keep sweeping so you don’t lose fish, and then lift the net out of the water.
5. Most people put the hooligan they caught in a bucket or a cooler.

Hooligans are essential for several reasons. They provide food for local Alaskans. As mentioned, they hold a crucial cultural component for many native Alaskans.

In addition, animals feed on hooligans, such as the beluga whale, otters, and eagles. Sometimes, you can see beluga whales from the Seward highway as they follow the run of hooligans.

When do You Fish for Hooligan?

Hooligan will start returning to Twentymile River in late April. On a good year, their numbers peak towards the middle to late May.

Seasons and Limits for Hooligan

Hooligans can be caught from April 1 to May 31 in salt water. In freshwater, they can be caught April 1 to June 15. There are no bag or possession limits at the time of writing this article but always check with current regulations to ensure compliance.

Pro-tip: Before you go make sure you have your Alaska resident fishing license. This fishing license can be purchased online with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Where to Catch Hooligan?

Hooligans often form in schools by the hundreds. Some of the best spots are along the Turnagain Arm or Placer River river bank in Anchorage near rocky embankments.

Hooligans gather in deep holes that hold the fish. Sometimes, you can see the fish from the bank or feel them against your wading boots while dipping.

Hooligans are not strong swimmers and prefer slow-moving areas of the river. While they can be caught during any tide cycle, the best times are an hour before and after high tide.

Pro tip: The fishermen and fisherwomen we spoke to taught us that although the season for hooligans starts April 1, they don’t begin to show up until late April.

Another critical piece of information we learned is that rising tides and flood tides produce the best catches. With a tide of at least 25 feet or more, hooligans are more likely to be pushed along the river’s edge, making them easier to catch.

Check the tides at Turnagain Arm before you go to increase your chances of success.

Twentymile River

This river is one of the best spots to catch hooligans, mainly since it’s a short drive south of Anchorage along the Seward Highway. It has easy access, and a dumpster and portable toilets are available for those fishing.