Ketchikan Management Area
Fishing Opportunities

 

From May through July, anglers depart from local launch ramps and harbors to target king salmon both north and south of Ketchikan. Marine boat hot spots south of Ketchikan include Mountain Point, Herring Cove, Dall Head, Cone Island, Alava Point, and Mary Islands. North of town anglers fish Survey Point, Vallenar Bay, Grant Island, Camano Point, and Pup Island to Tatoosh Rocks.

In mid-June through July, anglers can be found on local saltwater shorelines casting for king salmon with a wide variety of gear. Anglers use large spinners, spoons, herring, cured eggs, and flies for this fishery. Popular shoreline spots to fish for king salmon are Herring Cove and Thomas Basin (outlet of Ketchikan Creek).

Hatchery king salmon return to two sites along the Ketchikan road system – Herring Cove (Whitman Lake Hatchery) and Thomas Basin (Deer Mountain Hatchery). Hatchery fish also return to one remote release site – Neets Bay Hatchery. These fish return to their release sites around mid-June and harvest opportunity continues for shoreline and marine anglers through the month of July. For anglers targeting hatchery returns, the Ketchikan Sport Terminal Harvest Area is open June 1 – July 31. The terminal harvest area includes the waters of Nichols Pass, north of the latitude of Driest Point; Revillagigedo Channel, north of the latitude of Harbor Point; and Tongass Narrows, south of the latitude of the Lewis Reef Light.

Anglers typically troll for salmon using baited hooks or a variety of colored spoons or hoochies

King Salmon

Begin: May 121
Ends: July 212

Before you go fishing please check the regulations.