Ketchikan Fishing Charters

19 fishing charters

The best out of 19 charter fishing deals in Ketchikan - enter dates to check availability

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Top Fishing Charters in Ketchikan

Ketchikan: 19 fishing charters available

The Worman Sportfishing Co.
The Worman Sportfishing Co.

Ketchikan • 33 ft • 6 persons

Book your next trip with The Worman Sportfishing and find out what the fishing in Ketchikan is all about.

"We had the pleasure of booking a last-minute fishing tour with Captain Kyle on the Ice Queen, and it turned out to be the absolute highlight of our trip!" —⁠ Ashley,
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trips fromUS $1,000
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters

Ketchikan • 28 ft • 6 persons

Join Ketchikan's Finest Fishing Charters for an amazing fishing adventure in Alaska!

"We booked this trip as part of a cruise but didn’t go through the cruise operator." —⁠ Christopher,
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trips fromUS $1,400
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters

Ketchikan • 32 ft • 6 persons

Come experience the best in Ketchikan Fishing Charters! Ketchikan Sport Fishing LLC is here to make it happen!

"Came in on a Princess charter to find our captain waiting on the dock." —⁠ Dee,
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trips fromUS $1,250
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1- 6px
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1- 6px

Ketchikan • 32 ft • 6 persons

If you’re looking for a true Alaskan adventure vacation, make sure to book a trip with Reel Alaska Fishing Charters.

"Myself and my two sons (16 & 14) had an outstanding time!" —⁠ JEFF,
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trips fromUS $1,519
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1-6 px
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1-6 px

Ketchikan • 32 ft • 6 persons

If you’re looking for a true Alaskan adventure vacation, make sure to book a trip with Reel Alaska Fishing Charters.

"Captain Scott and Asher did an amazing job on our halibut fishing excursion." —⁠ Joseph,
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trips fromUS $1,491
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska Ocean Safaris

Ketchikan • 31 ft • 6 persons

Alaska Ocean Safaris invites you to experience the stunning waters of Ketchikan.
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trips fromUS $1,350
Alaska king charter
Alaska king charter

Ketchikan • 32 ft • 18 persons

Alaska King Charter provides enjoyable fishing charters out of Alaska’s southernmost city - Ketchikan.

" After a short 10-15!minute boat ride,Captain Mike had us on the fish." —⁠ Keith,
trips fromUS $1,300
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1-5px
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters 1-5px

Ketchikan • 27 ft • 5 persons

When you’re looking for your own Alaskan adventure vacation, it would be remiss not to book a trip with Reel Alaska Fishing Charters.

"Captain Asher and Reel Alaska Fishing Charters went above and beyond to make this trip top notch." —⁠ Jared,
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trips fromUS $1,491
Ketchikan Salmon and Halibut Fishing Charters
Ketchikan Salmon and Halibut Fishing Charters

Ketchikan • 28 ft • 6 persons

Ketchikan has a fish with your name on it, so let Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing help you catch it!

"We booked this charter through fishing booker as an excursion on a cruise ship." —⁠ Barbara,
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trips fromUS $1,400
Alaska Tides To Timbers
Alaska Tides To Timbers

Ketchikan • 27 ft • 6 persons

Excited to catch some fish in Ketchikan? Make it happen, with Alaska Tides To Timbers!
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trips fromUS $1,000
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See all 19 fishing charters in Ketchikan

Frequently Asked Questions about Fishing Charters in Ketchikan

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Fishing in Ketchikan

Nestled among a maze of bays and islands, Ketchikan is a popular stop for coastal cruises and nature lovers looking to explore Alaska’s wilderness. These winding waters are also a favorite haunt of Salmon and Halibut fishers from around the world. Ketchikan fishing charters can get you on an awesome range of game fish. There are five species of Salmon alone, and plenty of other hard-fighting fish lurking in the cold, secluded depths.
 
King (Chinook) Salmon is the most important species in Ketchikan, but you can also catch Silver (Coho), Sockeye, Chum, and Pink Salmon. If you time your visit right, you even stand a chance of bagging them all in one trip. Throw in some record Halibut, a ton of tasty Lingcod and Rockfish, and some awesome freshwater fisheries to top if all off, and you get some of the most productive fishing in the entire state! Ketchikan fishing really is outstanding, but you need someone who knows what they’re doing to get the most out of the area.

Fishing Spots

There really is no bad place to fish in these secluded northern waters. The best Ketchikan fishing charters will always have their hidden honey holes, but here are a few of our top spots, just to give you a feel for the place.
 

Carroll Inlet

This sheltered waterway is just 15 miles from town and is a popular spot for “short range” fishing trips. The area is excellent for Salmon fishing, with all five species present in high season.
 

Thorne Arm

Just a short hop past Carroll Inlet, Thorne Arm is a protected bay where big fish can be caught in any weather. The Salmon bite may not be as good, but the Halibut and Rockfish more than make up for it.
 

Clarence Strait

The waters near Prince of Wales Island are more exposed and can get pretty rough in bad weather. The area’s huge bait stock makes it more than worth the visit on a calm day, though, with Halibut, Salmon, Rockfish, Crab, and Shrimp all present here.
 

Boca de Quadra

Hidden away on the fringes of the Misty Fjords National Monument, this is about as good as you can get. The area’s staggering beauty is easily matched by its unbelievable fishing, with all five Salmon species plus monster Halibut, tasty Rockfish, and plenty of Crab and Shrimp.
 

Tongass National Forest

You don’t need to travel far to enjoy exciting Ketchikan fishing excursions. This maze of lakes and creeks offers amazing Salmon, Trout, and Dolly Varden fishing within walking distance of town. Make sure you take a guide, though, you don’t want to get lost out here!

Fishing Seasons

Of course, it’s no good coming all this way just to find the fish you’re after are out of town. You can catch species like King Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish almost year-round in Alaska, but most charters don’t start running until May. The Ketchikan fishing season runs through the summer, usually ending at the start of October. 
 
Ketchikan Halibut fishing is best from June until August, and Rockfish are also at their best this time of year. Different Salmon peak at different times over the summer. Chinook Salmon arrive first and Cohos turn up last. If you want a chance at landing them all, July is the best month to try. The rivers are at their best in the fall when the spawning runs are in full swing.

Fishing Techniques

Most Ketchikan fishing charters will focus on either Salmon, Halibut, or freshwater fish. These are the top local gamefish and guides have been perfecting their techniques for generations.
 
Salmon can be caught by trolling or fly fishing. Big, bright flies attract these wide-eyed hunters, while live Herring is best for trolling. Salmon usually lurk in the depths, so you’ll need downriggers to get to them. Otherwise, you can try the Alaskan sensation which is mooching. Drift plug cut herring baits over schools of fish and wait for the rod to start twitching. You may not cover as much ground as you would trolling, but you’ll get just as many fish!
 
If you’re after Halibut, your best bet is to anchor up and drop some chum down as you do so. Halibut hunt largely by scent, so fillets of Herring or Salmon belly make the best baits. To bring in monster Halibut, many charter captains use whole Salmon heads as bait. You won’t get as many bites this way, but when you do, the fish are huge!
 
The rivers and streams around town will give you some of the best fly fishing Ketchikan has to offer. Cutthroat Trout can be caught around here in big numbers, as can Dolly Varden, Salmon, and more. Most guides head out on foot to get you to the best spots, with a range of rods and a whole box of brightly-colored flies to tackle this mixed bag of gamefish.

Need to Know

You need a fishing license for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, which are not normally included on local fishing charters. Chinook Salmon require an extra stamp which is well worth buying even if they’re not your focus. This is one of the best Salmon fisheries in the country, and it would be a shame to throw back a 50 pound King just because you didn’t buy a stamp.
 
A word of caution for solo adventurers: The waters around Ketchikan are highly tidal, and can be dangerous if you don’t plan accordingly. Our advice is to always fish with someone who knows the area to avoid getting trapped by rising tides.
 

Ketchikan

4.8/5
Based on 29,146 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

Ketchikan Fishing Seasons

January
Average highs of 40 degrees and 15 inches of rain and snow put many anglers off in January. There are some big King Salmon if you’re willing to tough it out, though.
February

Halibut come into season in February, if you can find a boat to get to them. Otherwise you can head to the rivers for a variety of fly fishing favorites.

March

There is a consistent bite of Dolly Varden, King Salmon, Rockfish, Halibut, and Lingcod in March, meaning plenty of big battles and some tasty fish to take home for dinner.

April

The main charter season still hasn’t started, but that just means even more water for you to enjoy. Target Halibut, King Salmon, Rockfish, and the area's other permanent residents.

May

The Ketchikan King Salmon Derby has been kicking off the summer fishing season for over 70 years, and still draws competitive anglers to town for three weekends of great fishing.

June

The Ketchikan King Salmon Derby is still going strong in June, giving you the chance to be crowned King of Kings and scoop up some great prizes alongside the huge fish.

July
Every species of Salmon is on fire in July. Kings tail off towards the end of the month, but if you’re after an IGFA Salmon Fantasy Slam, this is one of the best times and places to try.
August
The Blueberry Arts Festival has been running for over 40 years, bringing together local artists, craftsmen, and fun-lovers of all ages. If you’re in town in August, you have to check it out!
September
September is one of the best months for Silver Salmon in Ketchikan, and there are still plenty of Kings around, too. It’s also the tail end of Halibut high season, making it a great time to visit.
October
Most of the summer’s Salmon have made their long journey upriver by October. Silver Salmon are the exception, and can still be caught this time of year, as can the resident Kings.
November
Ketchikan’s charter season starts to shut down in November, but you can still find a few boats willing to take you out in search of Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, and King Salmon.
December
Can’t decide what to cook this Christmas? How about a nice, fresh Salmon? These are some of the tastiest, most expensive fish around, and are more than big enough to feed the family.

Ketchikan Fishing Calendar

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Featured photos from Ketchikan

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What anglers said about fishing in Ketchikan

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How did anglers rate fishing charters in Ketchikan?

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Top Types of Fishing in Ketchikan

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Top Fishing Techniques in Ketchikan

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Top Targeted Species in Ketchikan

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Nearby Fishing Destinations

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