Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 07, 2021

A new and improved version of the gofishak interactive map provides information on fishing locations, species run timing, regulations, fishing gear, and angler access. This is an excellent resource for anglers planning a trip to Southeast Alaska and the Ketchikan area.

*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, wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible.

For more information on travel restrictions please visit the State of Alaska Traveler Information page.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing is open to fishing in most of the Ketchikan area (District 1) and east Prince of Wales area (District 2), with a few exceptions. Please see the advisory announcement issued on June 17th, 2021.

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.

Neets Bay

June 15 – August 14 the bag and possession limit is one king salmon for all anglers, 28 inches or greater in length. For nonresidents, the annual limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Anglers are reminded that bag, possession, and size limits for the salt waters outside of the designated terminal harvest areas are more restrictive than the limits inside the Herring Bay and Neets Bay terminal areas, and anglers are prohibited from possessing fish that exceed the limits for the waters where they are fishing. Therefore, anglers fishing in multiple areas must be diligent to ensure they do not exceed the bag, possession, or size limit for the area they are currently fishing.

Regional king salmon regulations:

Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;

Nonresident

• Starting July 8th the nonresident harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• Any king salmon harvested prior to July 8th applies to the current harvest limit of one king salmon;
• Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date, and location on their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

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, Southeast Behm Canal, and Southern Revillagigedo Channel

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 Indian Point to Mike Point. In the waters of southern Revillagigedo Channel enclosed from a line from Lucky Point to Middy Point and enclosed by a line from Kah Shakes Point to Point Rosen including the waters of Boca de Quadra and continuing to the Annette Island 3,000-foot boundary at the latitude of Beaver Point and in southeast Behm Canal from Cactus Point to Eva Point.

• April 1 to 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.

Remaining waters of District 1

Area Description: In the marine waters of Ketchikan north and east from the International Boundary Line at Dixon Entrance from 54°42.48’ N. lat., 130°36.92’ W. long. to 54°40’ N. lat., 131°45’ W. long., continuing north to Caamano Point and enclosed to the north by a line from Indian Point to Mike Point and enclosed to the southeast by a line from Lucky Point to Middy Point, and enclosed by a line from Kah Shakes Point to Point Rosen and continuing to the Annette Island 3,000 foot boundary at the latitude of Beaver Point.

• June 15 to August 14:
  • The Alaska resident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • For nonresidents, regional regulations apply.

Coho and Pink Salmon

Summer coho and pink salmon are being caught throughout the Ketchikan marine waters and catch rates are expected to pick up into July.

Halibut

Reports from anglers targeting halibut have been fair. Halibut hotspots are Alava, Vallenar, Mary Island, Duke Island, and the Percy Islands. Catch rates should increase as we progress into the summer months.

Lingcod

Lingcod season is open.

Rockfish

A helpful flyer is available on the Fish and Game website for identifying common rockfish.

All sport fishing vessels are required to have at least one functional deepwater release device (regardless of species targeted) and anglers will be REQUIRED to use a deepwater 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 2021. Demersal shelf rockfish species include 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 silvergray, rougheye, shortraker, and yellowtail rockfish.

• One per day; one in possession.

Pelagic Rockfish

• Five per day; ten in possession.

Freshwater Fishing

Ketchikan Creek is open to sport fishing for all species, including king salmon.

• 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.

There are a few good opportunities to target rainbow and cutthroat trout along the road system. Anglers targeting trout may want to try Ward Lake, Talbot Lake, Harriet Hunt Lake, Ketchikan Creek, or the various lakes on Gravina Island.

Be sure to check the 2021 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.