Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

July 22, 2024

ADF&G creel samplers are stationed at local docks and harbors. If you are approached by a creel sampler, please take a few minutes to participate in the creel interview and allow them to look for coded-wire tagged king and coho salmon and take biological samples from your catch.

Creel samplers are collecting data for the Marine Harvest Studies Program (MHS). The MHS program is a data collection program that ADF&G Sport Fish uses to estimate catch, harvest, and effort of salmon and bottomfish in the sport fishery.

The information you provide is valuable and essential for the sustainable management of the sport fisheries ensuring fishing and harvest opportunities are maintained for the future.

Salmon

Peak king salmon season has passed, and fishing has begun to slow down. King salmon are still being caught mostly in Herring Bay, and in the waters from Moira Sound to Cape Chacon. Reminder that for the remainder of the year the nonresident annual limit for king salmon is one fish. Please see the advisory announcements issued March 28 and April 2, 2024.

Coho salmon are being caught in small numbers in the marine fishery, but fishing should improve throughout the summer. Summer coho have begun to enter some rivers in the Ketchikan area. Pink and chum salmon are being caught in marine waters and fishing should pick up over the coming weeks.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been good and should remain steady throughout the summer. The westside of Gravina as well as Duke Island have produced good numbers of halibut.

Reminder for guided anglers:

• From July 15 until the end of the season, retained halibut must be less than or equal to 36 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches in length.

• Halibut may not be retained on Fridays beginning July 19 continuing through September 13.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing has been good with some large fish being caught.

• Resident anglers: one per day, two in possession, no size limit.

• Nonresident anglers:

  • one per day, one in possession; 30-35 inches in length or 55 inches or longer.
  • annual limit of two, one of which is 30-35 inches in length or 55 inches or longer.

Rockfish

Rockfish can be caught year-round. Stop by the Fish & Game office or visit the website for resources on identifying rockfish species. Rockfish regulations remain the same as last year. All sportfishing vessels are required to have at least one deep water release device on board.

Slope Rockfish

• Resident and nonresident anglers:
  • bag limit of one fish; possession limit of two fish; no annual limit.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (except yelloweye)

• Resident anglers: Bag limit of one fish; possession limit of two fish; no annual limit.
• Nonresident anglers: Closed; retention is prohibited by all anglers.

Yelloweye Rockfish:

• Closed; retention is prohibited by all anglers.

Pelagic Rockfish

• Five per day; ten in possession.

Trout and Dolly Varden

Recent rains should improve freshwater fishing in local streams. Cutthroat, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden will be feeding on salmon eggs and fry. Dry flies can also be effective this time of year in lakes and streams.

Be sure to check the 2024 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.

Check out the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!

For further information, please contact the Ketchikan area Sport Fish management staff at (907) 225-2859.