Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 09, 2016

Chinook salmon
The king salmon peak has passed and only a handful of kings were reported harvested last week.

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 were still fairly slow on the south inside waters, but did improve on the north inside waters with anglers reporting good catches in the Clover Pass, Survey Point, Camano, and backside of Gravina areas. Typically coho catch rates peak in September. Summer coho have arrived in Ward Creek; freshwater anglers are having good success at Grassy Point and in the inlet stream as well.
 

Pink salmon

Pink catch rates continue to drop off from previous weeks. Marine anglers are reporting moderate 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.