Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 03, 2018

King Salmon

King salmon catch rates have been below average the last two weeks, though reports from the terminal area have been good.
 

On June 15th, the majority of the Ketchikan area (District 1) and east Prince of Wales area (District 2) opened with regional king salmon limits, with a few exceptions (see news release and map dated March 29, 2018):

• Bag and possession limit is one king salmon for all anglers, 28 inches or greater in length.
• For nonresidents, July 1 through December 31, the annual harvest limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length, any king salmon harvested from January 1 through June 30 will apply toward the one fish annual limit; harvest record is required.

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.

West Behm Canal and East Behm Canal and Southern Revilla 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.
• 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 Mike Point to Indian Point. 
• In the waters of southern Revilla 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.

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.

Ketchikan Creek opens to sport fishing for all species including king salmon June 14 – 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.

Coho salmon

Coho fishing has picked up in the last week as more summer run coho move into the area. Catch rates for summer silvers typically improve through July.

Halibut

Halibut harvest reports have increased and should continue to be good throughout summer.

Shrimp

Anglers are required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use and subsistence shrimp harvest beginning Monday, June 25, 2018. Permits are available online at the ADF&G store or at your local ADF&G office.

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 now 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.

Dolly Varden fishing along the roadside/shoreline should continue to improve as water temps continue to increase and fish migrate out to saltwater from overwintering lakes. Lake outlets and streams that connect to the salt water are prime places to catch these fish as they target out migrating salmon fry.

Be sure to check the 2018 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.