Ketchikan Cruise Ship Fishing Charters

Fish with a Local. Experience the Real Alaska.

Ketchikan, Alaska is known as the Salmon Capital of the World, and there’s no better way to spend your day in port than fishing with a lifelong local guide. Join Captain Cable Campbell (Clyde Campbell), owner and operator of Campbell’s Fishing Charters, for an authentic Alaskan fishing experience—hands-on, family-friendly, and perfectly timed for your cruise schedule.

We offer 4-hour and 6-hour salmon fishing charters designed specifically for cruise ship passengers. If you’re interested in a longer or fully customized excursion, we’re happy to tailor a trip to fit your interests and port time.

Our cruise ship–based fishing charters are a fantastic shore excursion for all ages and experience levels.

Fishing and Alaska Wildlife Sightseeing

Fishing is the focus—but one of the biggest bonuses of spending time on the water in Southeast Alaska is the incredible wildlife you may see along the way.

While traveling to and from fishing grounds, guests often spot:

  • Humpback and orca whales

  • Bald eagles perched along shorelines and in old-growth trees

  • Sea lions and harbor seals hauled out on rocks or swimming nearby

  • Dall porpoise riding the bow wake

  • Black bears and deer along the shoreline during certain times of year

Wildlife sightings vary by season and day, but every trip offers stunning scenery and the chance to experience Alaska beyond the dock.

Choosing the Right Fishing Charter in Ketchikan

Not all fishing charters in Ketchikan are the same.

Many cruise-line excursions and large tour companies operate multi-boat fleets staffed by seasonal guides. While often friendly and enthusiastic, these guides may have limited experience navigating Southeast Alaska’s ever-changing tides, currents, and fish movement.

Campbell’s Fishing Charters is different.

We are a locally owned, owner-operated, single-boat charter, and Captain Cable—Clyde Campbell—is also your guide. With decades of experience fishing the waters around Ketchikan, he knows the local grounds, seasonal patterns, and daily conditions that can make or break a fishing trip.

When choosing a fishing charter, consider asking:

  • How long has the guide been fishing in Ketchikan?

  • Is the charter locally owned and owner-operated?

  • Will the captain personally guide the trip?

Fishing with an experienced local guide means a safer, more personal, and more successful day on the water, while supporting a true Alaskan small business.

Cruise Ship Passenger Information & Downtown Pickup

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, please provide your ship name, arrival time, and departure time when booking. This allows us to coordinate your fishing trip seamlessly within your port schedule.

We are fully permitted to pull into downtown Ketchikan and are authorized to pick up arriving cruise ship passengers near the dock. For ships docking in the downtown area, pickup is convenient and hassle-free, with no need to arrange transportation on your own.

Each trip is carefully timed to ensure you return to your ship well before departure, so you can relax and enjoy your day on the water.

Fish Processing & Shipping

After your trip, we can arrange to have your catch delivered to a trusted local fish processing facility. Your fish will be professionally cleaned, vacuum sealed, frozen, and shipped directly to your home—ready to enjoy long after your cruise ends.

Alaska Fishing License Requirements

Cruise Lines We Commonly Fish With

We regularly accommodate guests from:

  • Princess Cruise Line

  • Holland America Line

  • Carnival Cruise Line

  • Disney Cruise Line

  • Norwegian Cruise Line

  • Royal Caribbean

  • Crystal Cruises

  • Seabourn Cruise Line

  • Silversea Cruises

  • Viking Cruise Line

Support local. Fish with experience. Discover the real Alaska—with Captain Cable.