Fresh Ketchikan Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from Ketchikan

How to Ship Your Catch Home After a Ketc
How to Ship Your Catch Home After a Ketc
May 8, 2025
So, you just reeled in a massive halibut or a cooler full of fresh-caught Alaskan salmon — now what? If you’re visiting Ketchikan on a cruise or a short Alaska trip, you might be wondering how to get your prized catch back home without it spoiling. The good news: shipping your fish home is easy, convenient, and something we help with all the time. In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to package, process, and ship your fish after your Ketchikan fishing trip — whether you’re flying or cruising out. 1. Let Your Charter Handle the Heavy Lifting At Ketchikan Fishing Expeditions, we partner with trusted local fish processors who specialize in vacuum-sealing, flash-freezing, and overnight shipping. Once you finish your fishing trip, we’ll deliver your catch directly to the processor — no extra effort required on your part. You get to relax and enjoy the rest of your cruise or Alaskan vacation while the pros prepare your fish for the journey home. 2. Choose How You Want It Processed • • • Local processors offer a variety of options, including: Vacuum-sealed fillets (perfect for freezing) Portion-sized packaging Smoked salmon (a popular souvenir or gift) You can even have your fish processed multiple ways, depending on the size of your catch. 3. Shipping Options Made Simple There are a few options for getting your fish home: A. Ship It Overnight • • Your processor can arrange overnight shipping via FedEx to your home. Your fish will arrive frozen solid, packed in an insulated box with gel packs or dry ice. • This is the most popular option for cruise passengers who can’t travel with the fish. B. Check It as Airline Luggage • checked cooler. If you’re flying out within a day or two, you can bring your boxed fish as a • Alaska Airlines and other carriers are used to passengers traveling with fish and allow it as part of your luggage allowance. • Your processor will give you everything you need — just pick it up before your flight. • • • • 4. How Much Does It Cost to Ship Fish from Alaska? Shipping and processing fees vary based on: Weight of the fish Processing style (filleting, smoking, etc.) Shipping destination On average, expect to pay: Around $2–$3 per pound for processing • $75–$150 for overnight shipping to the continental U.S. Tip: Many guests say it’s worth every penny to enjoy fresh wild-caught salmon at home for months after their trip. 5. Can You Bring Fish on a Cruise Ship? Cruise lines typically do not allow raw or processed fish to be stored onboard, so your best bet is to ship it. However, if you’re staying in Alaska after your cruise or flying shortly after disembarking, checking it as luggage is totally doable. Final Tips Make sure to provide your full shipping address and phone number for delivery Let your guide know in advance if you plan to ship your fish — we’ll make all the • coordination. • arrangements for you. Ready to Fish (and Feast)? A fishing trip in Ketchikan is the adventure of a lifetime — and with a little planning, the flavor of that adventure can come home with you. At Ketchikan Fishing Expeditions, we’ll make sure your catch is handled with care and delivered to your doorstep, just the way you want it. Book your fishing charter today and get ready to fill your freezer with wild Alaskan flavor!
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What anglers said about fishing in Ketchikan

Dress in layers, with hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (we were lucky to have such a sunny day!) have waterproof ready..it rains a lot here.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress in layers, with hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (we were lucky to have such a sunny day!) have waterproof ready..it rains a lot here.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Be prepared for any weather. Dress in layers. Bring closed-toe, non-slip shoes for the boat. You mi
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared for any weather. Dress in layers. Bring closed-toe, non-slip shoes for the boat. You mi
MacDougall Adventure Charters
MacDougall Adventure Charters
Know the nature doesn't care. The captain will do everything to get you on fish bit you can't fight nature, she wins every time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know the nature doesn't care. The captain will do everything to get you on fish bit you can't fight nature, she wins every time.
Campbells Fishing Charters
Campbells Fishing Charters
Halibut and Cod catch was great! Only caught 1 salmon too small to keep but it was expected. Only a small area was open to salmon fishing, the full area does not open till later in June.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Halibut and Cod catch was great! Only caught 1 salmon too small to keep but it was expected. Only a small area was open to salmon fishing, the full area does not open till later in June.
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters
Great experience, be sure to layer up and take something for motion sickness as the smaller boat can be tossed around.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great experience, be sure to layer up and take something for motion sickness as the smaller boat can be tossed around.
Go Fish Charters Ketchikan
Go Fish Charters Ketchikan
Listening to the captain or deckhands directions. They know what they’re doing and you’ll have a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listening to the captain or deckhands directions. They know what they’re doing and you’ll have a great time.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
If fishing in April, an experienced and knowledgeable captain is a must, as well as patience! Also, if your not used to the cold, wear plenty of layers as it gets cold if it’s windy on the water. I also recommend rechargeable hand warmers (or disposable) because our fingers got really cold while reeling in the fish. My boyfriend borrowed mine several times to warm up his hands in between fish and said he will get some of his own next time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If fishing in April, an experienced and knowledgeable captain is a must, as well as patience! Also, if your not used to the cold, wear plenty of layers as it gets cold if it’s windy on the water. I also recommend rechargeable hand warmers (or disposable) because our fingers got really cold while reeling in the fish. My boyfriend borrowed mine several times to warm up his hands in between fish and said he will get some of his own next time.
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Fishing was great but no a lot to do after fishing. Had a fantastic weekend and we will be back!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fishing was great but no a lot to do after fishing. Had a fantastic weekend and we will be back!
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #1
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #1
Ketchikan is a great place to fish. There’s a lot of conflicting information on line as to when the best time of year is to go. Best time for King Salmon is June. August was still pretty good fishing, but all the Kings we caught had to go back, too small. The Coho were nice sized.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Ketchikan is a great place to fish. There’s a lot of conflicting information on line as to when the best time of year is to go. Best time for King Salmon is June. August was still pretty good fishing, but all the Kings we caught had to go back, too small. The Coho were nice sized.
Alaska Affordable Adventures
Alaska Affordable Adventures
Pink salmon are in season. Fish were biting every 10 minutes... we had a great haul
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Pink salmon are in season. Fish were biting every 10 minutes... we had a great haul
The Alaska Catch – 26’ Boat
The Alaska Catch – 26’ Boat
We were trolling for salmon, boated ten fish and hooked up with twice that in a four hour trip. Three experienced fishermen.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We were trolling for salmon, boated ten fish and hooked up with twice that in a four hour trip. Three experienced fishermen.
The Worman Sportfishing Co.
The Worman Sportfishing Co.
Bring rain gear and a positive attitude and you will leave with a great experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring rain gear and a positive attitude and you will leave with a great experience
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
I know that the haul is usually much greater than we experienced but that's ok. That's how fishing goes. We appreciate that they tried by changing locations and rigs several times.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I know that the haul is usually much greater than we experienced but that's ok. That's how fishing goes. We appreciate that they tried by changing locations and rigs several times.
Alaska Affordable Adventures
Alaska Affordable Adventures
The king salmon were still around, so we're the halibut. The pinks had not started yet.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The king salmon were still around, so we're the halibut. The pinks had not started yet.
Ketchikan Salmon and Halibut Fishing Charters
Ketchikan Salmon and Halibut Fishing Charters
Chris was AWESOME!!! Great with the kids and really worked hard to make sure we had a good time. It wasn’t a good day for fishing - seas were rough and it was cold and rainy, but he made sure we could catch fish. I really appreciate his professionalism and hard work to make sure we caught fish and that our kids had a good time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Chris was AWESOME!!! Great with the kids and really worked hard to make sure we had a good time. It wasn’t a good day for fishing - seas were rough and it was cold and rainy, but he made sure we could catch fish. I really appreciate his professionalism and hard work to make sure we caught fish and that our kids had a good time.
The Alaska Catch – 26’ Boat
The Alaska Catch – 26’ Boat
Plan for any weather…we had beautiful sunny weather, but the very next day was cold and drizzly all day! Trust your captain…I have deep-sea fished 16x and this guy was the best guide I’ve ever had. He really knows what he’s doing. Fish or not, have fun and enjoy the experience!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Plan for any weather…we had beautiful sunny weather, but the very next day was cold and drizzly all day! Trust your captain…I have deep-sea fished 16x and this guy was the best guide I’ve ever had. He really knows what he’s doing. Fish or not, have fun and enjoy the experience!
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters
Ketchikan Sport Fishing Charters
Great for King Salmon, a little early for Coho and Pink Salmon but over all. Good time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great for King Salmon, a little early for Coho and Pink Salmon but over all. Good time.
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #1
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #1
Book a trip with Captain Sandra on the Scarlet Grace! You won’t regret it!
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Book a trip with Captain Sandra on the Scarlet Grace! You won’t regret it!
Chick Charters
Chick Charters
Perfect time to catch salmon! We almost didn’t do and can’t believe we almost missed.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Perfect time to catch salmon! We almost didn’t do and can’t believe we almost missed.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters Seattle, Washington
Book Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters for a premiere Alaska fishing experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters for a premiere Alaska fishing experience.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters Satellite Beach, Florida