Ketchikan Halibut Fishing Report
The central theme to be discussed in this article is the early Alaska summer fishing season. May marks the first official month of the season, but don’t let that fool you from the riches to be had by clients experiencing the best halibut spots in Ketchikan, Alaska. Ketchikan halibut fishing charters in five and six hour durations have seen a steady bottom fishing bite, commonly boating clients limits of halibut based on Ketchikan halibut fishing regulations. The majority of halibut have ranged anywhere from “paddle” size halibut 5-8 lbs up top chicken size halibut in the 15-30 lb range and the slot size halibut commonly referred to as barn door halibut.
Best Halibut Spots in Ketchikan
Of course the best halibut fishing spots in Ketchikan vary from month to month and week to week. With that being said, the best halibut fishing spots in May certainly have been areas of mud and sand in 200-300 feet of water. These pockets of sand and mud provide a prime feeding ground for early season halibut as the Pacific cod, herring and crustaceans concentrate. The tidal influence on the best halibut fishing spots in Ketchikan is certainly worth noting, depending on the specific halibut spot, whether the incoming or outgoing tide will dictate which is preferred for halibut and Pacific cod to feed.
Halibut Fishing Alaska – Halibut Fishing Regulations Ketchikan
Halibut fishing Alaska in May hasn’t disappointed fishing clients visiting Ketchikan. For instance traditionally May is the month of maybes in terms of maybe catching a halibut. This year 2022 we’ve seen steady catches as noted in the introduction of this article. Generally this time of year we have to run to the richest fishing grounds to have any probability of catching a boat limit of halibut. The halibut fishing regulations for 2022 are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and in Ketchikan this allows charter fishing anglers to retain one halibut under 40”. The majority of halibut boated by fishing clients on Ketchikan fishing excursions measured below the 40” threshold and were retained to be processed and shipped home.
Ketchikan Fishing Packages
Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters offer a fully comprehensive set of Ketchikan fishing packages. Whether it’s multiple full days of fishing or a day trip in Ketchikan we offer something for everyone. This week the majority of our clients took part in our five-hour Ketchikan halibut fishing shore excursion. This bottom fishing focused adventure leads to catches of halibut, Pacific cod, rockfish and sharks. In addition to these species our clients this week had an opportunity to see humpback whales, orcas, Steller sea lions and bald eagles. What an amazing way to spend the day for any visitors embarking on these Ketchikan cruise ship shore excursions.
Alaska Giant Halibut
In spite of anglers wanting to retain and harvest their prized Pacific halibut catches, barn door halibut exceeding the legal limit size were on tap. Giant halibut eating our traditional halibut rigs with glow in the dark squids and hooks baited with herring gave anglers a ride of a lifetime. The sheer force and power that halibut enforce on the terminal tackle leaves anglers with sore arms and smiles to last the day. It was truly a memorable experience for all seeing multiple halibut landed this week weighing in from 80-120 pounds. Despite not being able to keep these “Barn Door Halibut” it gave clients a true Alaskan adventure and a story to tell their friends and families for a lifetime to come. This is one of the major reasons anglers from around the world come to experience the thrills of hooking a massive halibut.
