Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 10, 2018

King Salmon

A few kings are still being caught in Ketchikan area inside waters. Anglers have reported harvest in Vallenar Bay, backside of Gravina, Clover Pass, Ship Island Shore and Cape Chacon.

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.

Coho and Pink salmon

Catch rates for both pink and coho salmon are well below average for this time of year. Anglers have reported harvest in Vallenar Bay, backside of Gravina, Nichols Pass, Mary Island, Mountain Point and Clover Pass. Marine shoreline angling throughout the Ketchikan Area for pink salmon has also been slow. Marine shoreline anglers can target pink and coho salmon in saltwater from Thomas Basin, Mountain Point, North Point Higgins, and Settler’s Cove. In freshwater, pink salmon and summer coho are now present in Ward Creek and Herring Cove Creek.

Herring Bay OPEN Saturday, August 11th. The expanded king salmon limits have expired, general regulations for salmon apply in the marine waters seaward of the freshwater boundary (green painted rocks).

• The 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.
• The bag and possession limit for coho, pink, chum: 16 inches or longer, 6 of each species daily, 12 of each species in possession.

Herring Cove Creek OPEN Friday, August 10th to sport fishing downstream of the bridge to the freshwater boundary (green painted rocks). Upstream of the Herring Cove Bridge is closed to sport fishing.

• Bait prohibited.
• Coho, pink, and chum salmon limits (in combination): 16 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession.
• King salmon retention is prohibited.

Ketchikan Creek OPEN 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, pink, and chum salmon limits (in combination): 16 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession.

Ward Creek

• Bait prohibited, only unbaited, single hook artificial lures or flies may be used year-round.
• Coho, pink, chum and sockeye limits (in combination): 16 inches or longer: 2 per day, 2 in possession.

Bottomfish

Harvest reports for rockfish, lingcod and halibut remain good throughout the Ketchikan area.

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.

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.