Fresh Ketchikan Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from Ketchikan

King Salmon Fishing Excursions in Ketchi
King Salmon Fishing Excursions in Ketchi
June 9, 2023
King salmon season continues its red hot bite for cruise ship passengers salmon fishing in Ketchikan. Not only for cruise ship passenger, but locals and fly in clients alike. June marks the official beginning of the salmon runs here in Alaska. From here on out it’s just got to get better as the months progress. Halibut Fishing Ketchikan The halibut fishing charters produce good catches of chicken size halibut ranging from 12-25 pounds. These fish are great fighting fish when pulling them up from the depths of 200-300 feet of water. Not only are they a great fighting fish, but make for amazing table fare. Anglers from around the world flock to Ketchikan, Alaska every year to partake in the halibut fishery. Simply put its world class!! Halibut and Salmon Combo Charter Fishing Our halibut and salmon combo sports fishing charters by far are the most popular. On a typical combo charter during the month of June here’s what one can expect. First we start out bottom fishing for halibut on the richest fishing areas. Typically we will catch halibut, pacific cod and rockfish during these bottom fishing times. Once we’ve caught our boat limit of halibut we switch gears to catch king salmon. This entails trolling for king salmon with separate equipment, rigging and strategy. Your captain will put out a specific set of lures and bait covering a wide variety of color combinations and depths. Then we troll the lures through the larger concentrations of king salmon running. Once you get a bite from a giant king salmon the action starts! The line comes zipping off the reel as the king salmon tries to escape. While your pulling with all your might to keep the rod bent and turn the handle to retrieve line. It truly is a knock down drag out fight to capture and land one of Alaska’s most iconic fish. With your captain explaining specific instructions to swim the fish to the boat and net the king salmon. Once secured on the deck of the boat everyone rejoices! Book your trip today to experience the thrill of this world class Alaska fishery.
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Great Fishing!! Ketchikan Fishing Tours
Great Fishing!! Ketchikan Fishing Tours
June 1, 2023
Ketchikan, Alaska Fishing Report Alaska fishing season started off with a bang for anglers visiting Ketchikan, Alaska. Halibut fishing charters produced great catches of halibut, pacific cod, lingcod and rockfish. Salmon fishing trips resulted in big king salmon while we awaited the arrival of silver salmon and pink salmon. Early season typically is more inconsistent then mid to late summer months including July, August and September. With that being said, our guests enjoyed better then average fishing to start off the 2023 Alaska fishing summer. Ketchikan Fishing Tours Fishing tours for cruise ship guests and fly in anglers spent the majority of May bottom fishing. These fisheries consist of fishing near and offshore waters for halibut, cod and rockfish. Deep water jigging for halibut had guests reeling in keeper size halibut as well as oversized halibut ranging from 10 pounds to 120 pounds. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hooking into these deep sea dwellers. Not to mention the delicious meat that our guests were able to ship home for enjoyable table fare back in the lower 48. Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Furthermore halibut weren’t the only species caught during our halibut fishing charters. Pacific cod were a main staple while bottom fishing for halibut. Cod were concentrated in large numbers on the sandy flats eating a variety of bottom rigs presented. Traditional halibut fishing rigs with glow in the dark squid and cut herring caught the majority of Pacific cod. Not to mention we found great success jigging for cod with metal jigs and soft plastic swim baits. Following up halibut fishing with rockfish and lingcod jigging made for a combination catch that had everyone smiling. In contrast to halibut fishing, rockfish jigging consists of shallower waters and light action tackle. While catching pelagic rockfish such as yellowtail’s and dusky’s we had the opportunity to catch big lingcod. With such a phenomenal bottom fishing area you’re never quite sure what will grab the end of one line. These giant lingcod make a trophy catch for anyone visiting Alaskan waters. Salmon Fishing Excursions Ketchikan King salmon fishing season opener begin June 1st. Everyone rejoiced at the opportunity to pursue this iconic fish. Big king salmon catches came in throughout the entire southeast Alaska region. Ketchikan, Alaska known as the salmon capital of the world didn’t disappoint. Areas comprised of Herring Cove and Mountain Point were the first areas to open up. This resulted in large numbers of anglers trolling for prized king salmon in a restricted area. As we look forward for the entirety of the region to open up, these were the first areas where big catches came in. As we progress into the mid summer months the fishing will continue to heat up! Halibut will continue to show up in larger numbers as the water temperatures increase. In addition, the salmon fishing will see a big burst of silver salmon and pink salmon to combine with the larger king salmon. It’s all happening now, what a fishery we get to celebrate in Alaska! For further information on planning your Alaska fishing trip, please inquire from the contact information below.
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Ketchikan Fishing Calendar

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What anglers said about fishing in Ketchikan

If you are in Ketchican and lucky enough to book a fishing trip with Captian Chris he will do everything he can to put you on the fish!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If you are in Ketchican and lucky enough to book a fishing trip with Captian Chris he will do everything he can to put you on the fish!!
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Our captain was Grayson and on the way out he asked what we wanted to catch, rather than just doing what he was “paid” to do. After we told him, he changed his plan and took us to another location to fish. He did an excellent job!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Our captain was Grayson and on the way out he asked what we wanted to catch, rather than just doing what he was “paid” to do. After we told him, he changed his plan and took us to another location to fish. He did an excellent job!
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
During trip prep ask for captain's advice about paying the extra for king salmon stamps on the Alaska fishing licenses. We didn't get the stamps (it wasn't prime king season) but nonetheless hooked a monster king that got away at the last second but had we landed it it would have been heartbreaking to not be able to keep it.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
During trip prep ask for captain's advice about paying the extra for king salmon stamps on the Alaska fishing licenses. We didn't get the stamps (it wasn't prime king season) but nonetheless hooked a monster king that got away at the last second but had we landed it it would have been heartbreaking to not be able to keep it.
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska weather changes a lot. Good this morning may be great this afternoon or not.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Alaska weather changes a lot. Good this morning may be great this afternoon or not.
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Alaska Ocean Safaris
Absolutely. We had great weather, though historically you should expect rain.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely. We had great weather, though historically you should expect rain.
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #2
Reel Alaska Fishing Charters #2
The water was like glass today and warmer weather. Even though it said light rain, we did not get any.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The water was like glass today and warmer weather. Even though it said light rain, we did not get any.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Absolutely When I bought my fishing license online I did not see that non-residents could not catch King salmon after July 7. Wasted money getting that permit. Oh well
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely When I bought my fishing license online I did not see that non-residents could not catch King salmon after July 7. Wasted money getting that permit. Oh well
MacDougall Adventure Charters
MacDougall Adventure Charters
Go with an experienced guide like Tony to experience Alaska fishing and its beautiful natural wildlife.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with an experienced guide like Tony to experience Alaska fishing and its beautiful natural wildlife.
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters
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