Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 24, 2016
Chinook salmon
The king salmon peak has passed, though marine anglers are still finding a few kings. King salmon harvest was reported at Cape Chacon, Duke Island and West Clarence Strait.
The Ketchikan Sport Terminal Harvest Area has closed. As of August 1, regionwide bag and possession limits for king salmon apply in the Ketchikan Area marine waters:
- 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.
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.
Coho salmon
Catch rates for coho salmon continue to be slow for the inside waters and fair for outside waters. Anglers reported some harvest in Nichols Pass, Clover Pass, Survey Point, Camano, the backside of Gravina, Cape Chacon, Duke Island and West Clarence Strait. Typically coho catch rates peak in September. Summer coho have arrived in Ward Creek; freshwater anglers are having good success at Grassy Point.
Pink salmon
Pink catch rates have dropped off from previous weeks. Marine anglers are still reporting good catch rates for pink salmon throughout the area, particularly at Mountain Point. Roadside anglers can now find good shoreline angling for pink salmon at Thomas Basin, Mountain Point, Settler’s Cove, Ward Creek and Ketchikan Creek.
Halibut
Halibut reports remain good throughout the Ketchikan area.
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.