Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 16, 2019

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

King Salmon

Nonresidents may retain king salmon as of August 16. The current regulations for marine waters throughout the Ketchikan Area are as follows:

• 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.

Coho and Pink Salmon

Coho salmon fishing continues to be slow in the nearshore waters of Ketchikan. Fishing reports from the backside of Gravina continue to be good and catch rates near Clover Pass improved over the weekend.

Herring Cove Creek is OPEN to sport fishing downstream of the bridge to the ADF&G markers. 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 is OPEN to sport fishing for all species including king salmon for the remainder of the year.

• 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.

Halibut

Halibut provide good fishing in the marine waters surrounding Ketchikan and good catches occur throughout the fall.

Rockfish

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

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 and the various small lakes on Gravina Island which can be accessed from the road system from the airport. Coho and pink are present and spawning in freshwater drainages. Angler reports from Ward Creek continue to be good.

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.