Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 15, 2020
An excellent resource for planning a trip is the gofishak interactive map for Ketchikan which provides information on fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear and angler access.
*Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
Also note that new Interstate Travel Protocols have begun on August 11. For more information on travel restrictions please visit the State of Alaska Traveler Information page.
King Salmon
King salmon fishing is slow as is expected this time of year. A few kings were picked up last week in Clover Pass, West Behm Canal, Alava and Gravina.
King salmon bag limits were increased as of July 31 and the majority of the Ketchikan area is open to king salmon fishing. North and Northeast Behm Canal remain closed to salmon fishing year-round. The following regional king salmon regulations remain in effect from now until September 30th.
Alaska Resident
- Daily bag and possession limit is five king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
Nonresident
- Daily bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
- Annual limit is nine king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
- Anglers are reminded that when harvesting any species which has an annual limit they must immediately record the species, date and location on their sport fishing license or on a harvest record.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon fishing continues to be spotty. The best catch rates have been around the backside of Gravina and Clover Pass.
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.
Halibut
Reports from anglers targeting halibut have been fair. Halibut were primarily harvested from East POW, Duke Island, Alava, Gravina and Cape Chacon.
Rockfish
As of January 1, 2020 all sport fishing vessels are required to have at least one functional deep water release device (regardless of species targeted) and anglers will be required to use a deep water release device to release rockfish to the depth it was hooked or to a depth of at least 100 feet. Please see the Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary or visit your local ADF&G office to see examples of rockfish release devices and learn about their use.
Demersal Shelf Rockfish
- The retention of demersal shelf rockfish is prohibited during 2020.
- No retention of demersal shelf rockfish which are the following species: yelloweye, quillback, copper, canary, china, tiger and rosethorn rockfish.
Slope Rockfish
- Some slope rockfish are common in marine waters surrounding Ketchikan. The most common species are: silvergrey, rougheye, shortraker and vermillion rockfish.
- One per day; one in possession.
Pelagic Rockfish
- Season: year round.
- Five per day; ten in possession.
For additional information regarding rockfish identification and management please refer to the rockfish conservation page on the ADF&G Sport Fish website.
Freshwater Fishing
Coho and pink are present and spawning in freshwater drainages. Angler reports from Ward Creek and Ketchikan Creek continue to be good.
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.
Be sure to check the 2020 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.
For further information, please call the Ketchikan Area Management Biologist: Kelly Reppert (907) 225-2859.