Fishing in Ketchikan has been nothing short of phenomenal for the 2024 fishing season. Firstly, the halibut fishing continues the red hot bite with daily limits. Secondly, the king salmon run hasn’t disappointed with wild king salmon flooding into area waters. Thirdly, the rockfish and lingcod fishing is best during the tide influxes. With that being said we are in mid July and just awaiting the silver salmon bite to turn on fire.
Halibut Fishing Charter Ketchikan, Alaska
Fishing for halibut in Ketchikan is a bucket list item for angler around the world. For instance, people dream of deep sea fishing in Alaska and reeling in a trophy halibut. For these reasons, Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters offer the best halibut fishing trips for cruise ship visitors and fly in clients alike. Our guests not only catch halibut, but also we offer the service to process and ship their fish home.
Halibut fishing in May was above average compared to other years past. This led to an all out halibut fishing bonanza in terms of the consistency and quality of halibut caught. The 2024 Ketchikan halibut fishing regulations are as follows, one halibut per person a day under the size of 40 inches. Meaning halibut over 40 inches must be released upon catching and a quick photo. However during the Ketchikan halibut fishing shore excursion we have been able to target schools of halibut under 40 inches.
Ketchikan Salmon Fishing Report
As mentioned previously the salmon fishing in Ketchikan remains strong. Furthermore, the king salmon season provided huge king salmon for angler on the Ketchikan salmon fishing charter. In addition, the size of the king salmon remains above average and salmon tipping the scales over 25 pounds.
Pink salmon, chum salmon and silver salmon are yet to flood into nearshore waters surrounding Ketchikan. Typically this takes place at the end of June and into the first weeks of July. Due to the lack of rain in June these massive schools of salmon are staging offshore. With the rain continuing through the week it’s just a matter of time until the big schools show.
Crabbing in Ketchikan
The fishing and crabbing is above average for the start of the season up to the midway point. Crabbing in Ketchikan requires dropping crab pots in bays and estuaries baited with scented bait fish like herring, cod or salmon. Dungeness crab is the target species to catch for crabs in Ketchikan. Non residents are allowed to retain three keeper size dungeness crabs per day. The size for a legal crab is 6.5 inches across. While we do a crab tour that is all catch and release for the experience, there’s also an option for intown guests to keep their crabs to cook during their visit.
Ketchikan Fishing Forecast 2024
Looking forward into the second half of the Ketchikan fishing season we can expect to catch halibut, silver salmon, lingcod and rockfish. Not to mention, the pink salmon schools present in the local waters will make for nonstop salmon fishing action. Ketchikan salmon fishing charters will look forward to this high pace fast action fishery for the remainder of July, August and September. The four hour salmon fishing option makes a perfect tour time for cruise ship visitors arriving in Ketchikan. With short runs to the salmon fishing grounds paired with scenic views and wildlife abound. Making this a must do tour in Ketchikan.
Salmon and Halibut Fishing Charters In Ketchikan
The bulk of our salmon and halibut fishing charters in Ketchikan can expect a variety of species for the months of July, August, and September. Halibut and salmon will be the main target species on our five hour combo trips for cruise ship guests. In addition, we also offer full day trips for guests visiting Ketchikan for multiple days. Lastly, the variety of pelagic rockfish and lingcod is a great way to complete the day’s fishing trip.
