Area Sport Fishing Reports
Ketchikan

August 7, 2026

Coho Salmon

Saltwater coho fishing has been below average so far this year, with reports of larger fish being caught. The fishing should pick up as we move through August. Productive spots have been around South Duke Island, West Gravina Island, and the Clover Pass Area.

Coho will continue moving into freshwater through August and into September. Productive freshwater locations are Ward Creek, Margaret Creek, and later in the month, the Naha River.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing in the Ketchikan area is slow as we move into the beginning of August. Limits for residents and nonresidents increased as of August 1 (see below).

Current Chinook Salmon Regulations for 2026:

• The resident daily bag limit is three fish over 28 inches;
• The nonresident daily bag limit is two fish with an annual harvest limit of four fish over 28 inches.
• In the Ketchikan area special restrictions will continue through August 14 in multiple areas. Please refer to the advisory announcements posted on July 31 and March 31 for detailed information and map.

Trout and Dolly Varden

Trout and Dolly Varden fishing is good around the area. As salmon begin to spawn, egg patterns can be especially effective when targeting trout. Productive lakes and drainages along the road system include the Ward Creek drainage, Ketchikan Creek, Harriet Hunt Lake, and Carlanna Lake.

Be sure to check the 2026 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations. The Ketchikan Area Freshwater Special Regulations can be found on pages 36-38. Regulations vary depending on the waters you plan to fish.

Halibut

Anglers are having success catching halibut, and fishing is expected to continue to be good through August. Productive fishing areas are South Duke Island, Mary Island, and East Prince of Wales Island.

For detailed information about charter (guided) and unguided halibut regulations please visit NOAA’s website.

Lingcod

Lingcod season opened on May 16. In Southern Southeast Inside Waters:

• Residents: One fish per day; two in possession; no size limit.
• Nonresidents: One fish per day, one in possession, size limit 30 – 35 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of two fish, one of which is 30 to 35 inches in length, one of which is 55 inches or greater in length, a harvest record is required.

Rockfish

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

Slope Rockfish

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

Demersal Shelf Rockfish

Demersal shelf rockfish are the following species: yelloweye, quillback, canary, China, copper, tiger, and rosethorn.

• Resident anglers: Daily bag limit of one fish including yelloweye; possession limit of two fish; no annual limit.
• Nonresident anglers: Season: July 1- August 25; Daily bag limit of one fish, possession limit of one fish; annual limit of one fish.

Pelagic Rockfish

Pelagic rockfish species include black, dark, dusky, widow, and yellowtail.

• Three per day; six in possession.

Creel Sampling

ADF&G creel technicians are conducting angler interviews and collecting biological samples. Your participation is important and only takes a couple of minutes. During an interview, creel samplers will ask a few short questions about your fishing trip and collect biological data from the fish harvested. The data collected through this program is essential for the sustainable management of sport fisheries, guiding management decisions to ensure fishing and harvest opportunities are maintained for the future.

Trip-Planning Resources

An excellent resource for planning a trip is the gofishak interactive map for Ketchikan which provides information on popular fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear selections and boat and angler access.