Ketchikan Salmon Fishing: 2026 King Salmon Limits Increased

If you are looking to book a trip for Ketchikan salmon fishing, we have some incredible news for the rest of our 2026 summer season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has officially liberalized marine sport fishery regulations for king salmon across Southeast Alaska. Effective July 11 through September 30, 2026, nonresident bag and annual limits have been increased due to lower-than-anticipated regional harvests.

This regulatory shift means our charter guests get more time on the water chasing trophy fish and a much larger harvest to take home to their families.

Key Takeaways for Nonresident Anglers

If you are traveling from out of state for a guided fishing trip this summer, these regulatory changes are a massive win. The updated limits allow you to maximize your time on the boat and bring home a larger share of your catch:

• Daily Bag & Possession Limit: Increased to two (2) king salmon per day (must be 28 inches or greater in length).

• Annual Harvest Limit: Increased to three (3) king salmon total for the 2026 season.

• Harvest Recording: You must immediately record the species, date, and location on the back of your sport fishing license or harvest record sheet as soon as the fish is landed and retained.

Note on Past Harvests: Any king salmon you harvested earlier this season (prior to July 11) do count toward your new three-fish annual harvest limit.

Current Ketchikan Salmon Fishing Conditions

This season on the water has given us some fantastic action, and these new limit increases could not have come at a better time. With the coho (silver) salmon starting to show up alongside the resident kings, our guests are experiencing the very best of what Southeast Alaska’s wilderness has to offer.

Our boat is fully equipped to handle these updated daily limits, ensuring that every line in the water gives you the best possible shot at landing a keeper. Whether we are trolling the local points or working the deeper marine channels, our focus remains on delivering a premier, safe, and highly productive experience on the ocean.

Regulations for Alaska Residents & The EEZ Rule

For local Alaska residents fishing within state waters, the standard regulations remain unchanged. However, there is a critical rule regarding offshore boundaries that applies to all anglers once we head out to sea:

• State Waters: Resident limits stay at two (2) king salmon per day, 28 inches or greater, with no annual limit.

• The EEZ Rule (3 to 200 Nautical Miles): When fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), all anglers must comply with nonresident regulations. This means both Alaska residents and nonresidents are restricted to a 2-fish daily limit and a 3-fish annual limit when lines are in the water further offshore.

Local Stock Protections Remain in Effect

While regional limits have opened up to ensure the sport fishery hits its seasonal harvest target of 43,600 kings, local conservation measures are still active. Special regulations providing localized protection for wild stocks throughout the summer—including specific restrictions in our local waters—remain completely unaffected by this regional liberalization and stay strictly in place.

Book Your Ketchikan Salmon Fishing Charter

With limits liberalized and plenty of fish moving through our coastal waters, the rest of the 2026 summer season is shaping up to be spectacular. Space on our calendar fills up quickly around these regulation windows as anglers scramble to take advantage of the doubled daily bag limits.

Contact Campbell’s Fishing Charters today to check our mid-to-late summer availability and secure your dates on the water.