Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 17, 2019

King Salmon

King salmon catch rates in the Mountain Point area and the Herring Bay terminal area have been increasing and typically pick up the last two weeks of June.

On June 15th, the majority of the Ketchikan area (District 1) and east Prince of Wales area (District 2) opened to the harvest of king salmon, with a few exceptions (see news release and map dated June 10, 2019):

All waters of District 1 & 2 where king salmon retention was prohibited (exceptions listed below):

June 15 - December 31:

Alaska Resident:

• The bag and possession limit is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresident:

• The bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• From June 15 through June 30 the annual limit is three king salmon;
• From July 1 through December 31 the annual limit is one king salmon. Any king salmon harvested between January 1 through June 30 will apply to the one fish annual limit.

West Behm Canal, Southeast Behm Canal and Southern Revillagigedo Channel:

April 1 - August 14:

• King salmon retention is prohibited, king salmon may not be retained or possessed; any king salmon caught must be released immediately and returned to the water unharmed.

August 15 - December 31:

Alaskan Resident:

• The bag and possession limit is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresident:

• The bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
• From July 1 through December 31 the annual limit is one king salmon. Any king salmon harvested between January 1 through June 30 will apply to the one fish annual limit.

Area descriptions:

• In West Behm Canal and the contiguous bays enclosed to the north by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay to the northern tip of Hassler Island and a line from Fin Point to Dress Point and to the south by a line from Indian Point to Mike Point and;
• In the waters of southern Revillagigedo Channel enclosed from a line from Lucky Point to Middy Point, continuing to the latitude of Beaver Point and from Point Rosen to Quadra Point and in southeast Behm Canal from Cactus Point to Eva Point.

North and Northeast Behm Canal

• Salmon fishing is closed year-round in Behm Canal and the contiguous bays enclosed to the north by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay to the northern tip of Hassler Island and a line from Fin Point to Dress Point to a line from Cactus Point to Point Eva.

Terminal Harvest Areas:

Herring Bay:

June 1- July 31 the bag and possession limit for all anglers is three king salmon, no size limit, king salmon harvested in the Herring Bay terminal area will not count toward the nonresident annual limit.

Neets Bay:

June 15 – August 14 the bag and possession limit is one king salmon for all anglers, 28 inches or greater in length.

Anglers are reminded that bag, possession and size limits for the salt waters outside of the designated terminal harvest areas are more restrictive than the limits inside the Herring Bay and Neets Bay terminal areas and anglers are prohibited from possessing fish that exceed the limits for the waters where they are fishing. Therefore, anglers fishing in multiple areas must be diligent to ensure they do not exceed the bag, possession, or size limit for the area they are currently fishing.

Coho salmon

Summer coho are starting to show up in the area. Catch rates for summer silvers typically improve through July.

Halibut

Reports from anglers targeting halibut have been good and should continue to improve into the summer.

Rockfish

Rockfish are available year-round. Pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish provide good fishing in the Ketchikan area year-round.

• Pelagic rockfish – 5 per day; ten in possession.
• Non-pelagic rockfish - one per day; nonresident anglers have an annual limit of one yelloweye rockfish.

Anglers are reminded that beginning January 1, 2020, all marine boat anglers will be required to carry and utilize Rockfish Deepwater Release Devices. Visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation webpage for additional information and stop by the Ketchikan office to get a free deepwater release device.

Shrimp

Anglers are required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use and subsistence shrimp harvest for each calendar year. 2019 Southeast Shrimp Permits are available online at the ADF&G store or at your local ADF&G office. The shrimp harvest, location, and number of pots pulled must be recorded each day, and the permit must be returned to ADF&G or reported online at the end of the year.

Freshwater Fishing

Ketchikan Creek

Ketchikan Creek opened to sport fishing for all species including king salmon June 1 – December 31.

• 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.

Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook Trout

There are a few good opportunities to target rainbow and cutthroat trout along the road system. Anglers targeting trout may want to try Talbot Lake, Harriet Hunt Lake, and Ward Lake on the Ketchikan road system. Also anglers might want to try various small lakes on Gravina Island which can be accessed from the road system from the airport. If you are up for the hike, anglers have been successful catching brook trout at the outlet of Perseverance Lake.

Be sure to check the 2019 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations. The Ketchikan Area Freshwater Special Regulations can be found on pages 30-32. Regulations vary depending on the waters you plan to fish.

Interactive Fishing Location Maps

Check out the Ketchikan interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips through the Sport Fish gofishak application.