Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 08, 2016
Chinook salmon
King salmon catch rates are slowing down, though harvest reports from the terminal area continue to be good. Chinook salmon are being caught at Mountain Point, Herring Cove, Cone Island, Camano, Survey Point, Alva, Duke Island and Cape Chacon.
As of July 1, the king salmon regulations are as follows:
- Alaskan resident: The resident bag and possession limits is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
- Nonresident: The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. The nonresident annual limit is six king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
The Ketchikan Sport Terminal Harvest Area (THA) is open from June 1st – July 31st to provide additional opportunity to harvest surplus hatchery king salmon.
- The daily bag limit is six king salmon of any size.
- King salmon harvested in these waters by nonresidents do not count towards their annual limit.
Thomas Basin is open year-round seaward from the Thomas Basin Bridge to the breakwater.
- A maximum of two single-hooks may be used. The use of bait is allowed year-round.
- This area is closed to snagging.
Ketchikan Creek is open to sport fishing for all species including king salmon.
- The bag and possession limit for king salmon in Ketchikan Creek is two king salmon of any size.
- King salmon harvested in Ketchikan Creek do not count towards the nonresident annual limit.
- Fishing gear permitted in Ketchikan Creek is one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure only.
Other salmon
Coho catches are increasing in the area and will continue to build over the next few weeks. More pinks and chum are being caught in the local marine fishery.
Halibut
Halibut fishing in the area has been great and is expected to remain strong throughout the summer.
Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook Trout
There are a few good opportunities to target rainbow and cutthroat trout along the road system. Anglers have been having success at Ward Creek, Ketchikan Creek and Carlanna Lake. Ketchikan Creek was opened June 1st and will be open for the remainder of the year. If you are up for the hike, anglers have been successful catching brook trout at the outlet of Perseverance Lake.
If remote fishing is on your agenda, try the Naha River, McDonald Lake or Fish Creek.
Be sure to check the 2016 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations. The Ketchikan Area Freshwater Special Regulations can be found on pages 29-31. Regulations vary depending on the waters you plan to fish.