May 13, 2025
Information provided by ADFG.
ADF&G creel technicians will begin angler interviews and catch sampling on the docks starting May 26. Your participation is important and only takes a couple of minutes. During an interview, creel samplers will ask a few short questions about your fishing trip and collect biological data from the fish harvested. The data collected through this program is essential for the sustainable management of sport fisheries, guiding management decisions to ensure fishing and harvest opportunities are maintained for the future.
An excellent resource for planning a trip is the
gofishak interactive map for Ketchikan which provides information on popular fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear selections and boat and angler access.
Steelhead
Spring steelhead are still present in some systems around Ketchikan. Some popular areas include Naha River, Ward Creek and Fish Creek. While a few systems saw an earlier run timing this spring, some fish are still trickling in although a majority have spawned.
Be sure to check the
2025 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations. The Ketchikan Area Freshwater Special Regulations can be found on pages 31-33. Regulations vary depending on the waters you plan to fish.
Trout and Dolly Varden
Trout and Dolly Varden fishing is starting to pick up around the area and will continue to improve as water temperatures increase. Trout this time of year are actively feeding on emerging pink and chum fry.
Salmon
King salmon can be harvested in Herring Bay beginning on
June 1; bag limit of
three king salmon any size.
On
June 1, the Carroll Inlet Area and Thomas Basin opens to the retention of king salmon. The bag limit is
one king salmon per day with a minimum size of 28 inches.
On
June 8, the Mountain Point area opens to the retention of king salmon. The bag limit is
one king salmon per day with a minimum size of 28 inches.
On
June 15, most of the Ketchikan area and east Prince of Wales area will open with regional king salmon limits, with a few exceptions.
- Resident anglers: Bag and possession limit is one king salmon; 28 inches or greater in length.
- Nonresident anglers: Bag and possession limit is one king salmon; 28 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of one fish.
Please refer to the advisory announcements posted on April 1 & 15 for additional information.
Halibut
Halibut will start to improve as summer approaches. Reminder that the reverse slot limit for guided anglers is less than or equal to 37 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches. Also, charter vessel anglers in Area 2C may not catch and retain halibut (except GAF) on all Tuesdays beginning May 13, 2025 and continuing through September 9, 2025.
Lingcod
The lingcod season opens on May 16.
- Residents: One fish per day; two in possession; no size limit.
- Nonresidents: One fish per day, one in possession, size limit 30 – 35 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of two fish, one of which is 30 to 35 inches in length, one of which is 55 inches or greater in length, a harvest record is required.
Rockfish
Rockfish can be caught year-round. Stop by the Fish & Game office or visit the website for resources on
identifying rockfish species. All sportfishing vessels are required to have at least one deep water release device on board.
Slope Rockfish
- Resident and nonresident anglers:
- Daily bag limit of one fish; possession limit of two fish; no annual limit
Demersal Shelf Rockfish
Demersal shelf rockfish are the following species: yelloweye, quillback, canary, China, copper, tiger, and rosethorn.
- Resident anglers: Daily bag limit of one fish including yelloweye; possession limit of two fish; no annual limit.
- Nonresident anglers: Season: July 1- August 25; Daily bag limit of one fish, possession limit of one fish; annual limit of one fish. Immediately upon landing and retaining a demersal shelf rockfish, a nonresident must enter the species, date and location on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
Pelagic Rockfish
Pelagic rockfish species include black, dark, dusky, widow, and yellowtail.
- Three per day; six in possession.
