Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 29, 2022

ADF&G Creel Samplers are on the docks and ready to sample your fish! When creel samplers collect data from your harvest, they are filling in a huge gap because Creel is the only program where we can physically observe the fish. Your willingness to participate in this program is key to the management of Alaska's sport fisheries!

King Salmon

King salmon fishing in the marine waters of Ketchikan have been fair. King salmon were primarily harvested from Clover Pass, Cape Chacon, Caamano Pt., and Moira Sound.

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.

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

  • The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From January 1 through June 30, the nonresident annual harvest limits is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From July 1 through July 15, the nonresident annual harvest limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; any king salmon harvested from January 1 through June 30 will apply towards the one fish annual harvest limit;
  • From July 16 through December 31, the nonresident annual harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; any king salmon harvested from January 1 through July 15 will apply towards the one fish annual harvest limit;
  • 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 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

In West Behm Canal and the contiguous bays are 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

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.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are being harvested in the marine waters around Ketchikan and fishing will continue to improve through the summer.

Halibut

Halibut are being harvested in the Ketchikan area. Try your luck around Duke Island and in Kasaan Bay.

Lingcod

Lingcod season is open and anglers are having luck near Mary Island and Caamano Point.

Rockfish

Rockfish can be caught year-round. A helpful webpage is available on the Fish and Game website to assist anglers with identification.

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

Demersal shelf rockfish are the following species: Yelloweye, Quillback, Copper, Canary, China, Tiger, and Rosethorn rockfish.

The retention of demersal shelf rockfish is now open for residents of Alaska with a daily bag limit of one per day, one in possession. Retention of Yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.

Demersal shelf rockfish are closed to harvest for nonresidents.

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.

Freshwater Fishing

Ketchikan Creek opens June 1st 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.

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.

Be sure to check the 2022 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.

Archives

Ketchikan Area Archives for:
Oct 06, 2022 Aug 12, 2022 Aug 04, 2022 Jul 18, 2022 Jun 29, 2022 Jun 08, 2022 Jun 01, 2022 Apr 26, 2022

Helpful links