Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

October 17, 2019

This will be the last fishing report for the Ketchikan area until Spring 2020.

King Salmon

Anglers can still chase king salmon all winter as weather allows, though fishing is typically slow during the winter months.

  • Residents: bag and possession limit of 2 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. No annual limit.
  • Nonresidents: bag and possession limit of 1 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of one.

*Reminder: Anglers may only use one rod while fishing for king salmon this winter.

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.

Coho salmon

Coho salmon will be present in freshwater drainages through October and November.

Halibut

Halibut will be available most of the winter months. Fishing closes for halibut January 1 – January 31, 2019.

Lingcod

Fishing for lingcod closes December 1 – May 15, 2019.

  • Resident: bag limit of 1, 2 in possession, no size limit.
  • Nonresident: bag and possession limit of 1, size limit 30-45 inches, or over 55 inches in length. Annual limit of two fish, one of which is 30-45 inches, one of which is over 55 inches. Harvest must be recorded on the back of the fishing license or harvest card.

Rockfish

Rockfish are available 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

There will continue to be freshwater fishing opportunities throughout winter in the Ketchikan area. Anglers wanting to chase fall steelhead should try Ward Creek on the road system or Fish Creek and the Naha River for a remote fishing experience.

Depending on seasonal temperatures, most large low level lakes may remain ice free through winter and will offer opportunities to fish for cutthroat, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. 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.

Archives

Ketchikan Area Archives for:
Oct 17, 2019 Sep 16, 2019 Aug 19, 2019 Aug 07, 2019 Jul 25, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 17, 2019 May 06, 2019
Jan 08, 2019

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