Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 10, 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 fishing, and if you need fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 012.

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

King Salmon

Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• From October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, a sport angler may use two rods when fishing for king salmon, a person using two rods under this regulation may only retain salmon.

Nonresident

• The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• The nonresident total harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Any king salmon harvested earlier in 2021 applies to the 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.

The Southeast regionwide bag and possession limits above will apply in all areas except as modified below for the inside waters in the vicinity of Ketchikan.

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

Area Description: 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.

• August 15 to December 31:
  • Alaska resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • For nonresidents, regionwide regulations apply.

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.

• August 15 to December 31:
  • Alaska resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • For nonresidents, regionwide regulations apply.

District 2

• June 15 to December 31:
  • Alaska resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • For nonresidents, regionwide regulations apply

Coho Salmon and Pink Salmon

Coho salmon fishing has been excellent and should remain good through September. Coho were primarily harvested from Clover Pass, Nichols Pass, Mary Island, Duke Island, West Behm, Vallenar and Caamano.

Marine shoreline anglers can target pink and coho salmon in saltwater from Thomas Basin, Mountain Point, Herring Cove, North Point Higgins, and Settler’s Cove.

Pink and coho salmon are also present in freshwater drainages and available in the following roadside systems.

Herring Cove Creek is OPEN to sport fishing downstream of the bridge to the ADF&G markers. Upstream of the bridge is closed to sport fishing.

• The fishing season is August 10 - December 31.
• Coho, pink and chum salmon limits (in combination):
  • 2 per day, 2 in possession, 16 inches or longer.

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

• Coho, pink, and chum salmon (in combination):
  • 2 per day, 2 in possession, 16 inches or longer.
• King salmon: 2 per day, 2 in possession, any size.
• King salmon harvested in Ketchikan Creek do not count towards the nonresident annual limit.
• Bait prohibited, only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures or flies may be used year-round.

Ward Creek

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

Halibut

Reports from anglers targeting halibut have been good. Halibut was primarily harvested from Duke Island, Mary Island, Alava, and Nichols Pass.

Lingcod

Lingcod season is open.

Rockfish

Check out this page on our website for help 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 vermilion rockfish.

• One per day; one in possession.

Pelagic Rockfish

• Five per day; ten in possession.

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 Ward Lake, Talbot Lake, Harriet Hunt Lake, Ketchikan Creek, or the various lakes on Gravina Island. If you are up for the hike, anglers have been successful in catching brook trout at the outlet of Perseverance Lake.

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.