Ketchikan Fishing Report: August 2025 Update
Our Ketchikan fishing report for July was nothing short of fantastic, and as we move through August, the action on the water hasn’t slowed down. The salmon bite remains incredibly strong; Silver (Coho) Salmon are providing steady hookups, while Pink Salmon continue to keep the rods bending—making it a perfect time for families and anglers of all ages.
King Salmon Retention Reopens
The big news for August is that King Salmon (Chinook) retention has officially reopened. This gives our guests another shot at landing the most prized fish in the North Pacific. While Kings are a challenge to target, the excitement on the boat is electric every time a downrigger pops, knowing a trophy Chinook could be on the line.
Bottom Fishing & Multi-Species Action
In addition to the salmon run, the bottom fishing in Ketchikan has been rock solid. We are seeing a high volume of nice fish being brought over the rails. Interestingly, we’ve even had several “bonus” bottom fish hookups while trolling for salmon, proving just how productive the local reefs are right now.
Why Fish with Campbell’s Fishing Charters?
If you are reading this Ketchikan fishing report to decide when to book a trip, the opportunities in August are wide open whether you are a first-time visitor arriving on a cruise ship or a seasoned Alaska fisherman. Our trips take place in the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage, surrounded by the beauty of the Tongass National Forest.
Bring your camera and your appetite—there is nothing quite like the taste of fresh Alaska fish on the grill after a day aboard the 4C’s.
We hope this Ketchikan fishing report August update helps you plan your next trip to the Salmon Capital of the World!
— Captain Cable, Campbell’s Fishing Charters – Your Source for the Best Ketchikan Fishing Report
Plan Your Ketchikan Fishing Trip
Campbell’s Fishing Charters is proud to be based in the “Salmon Capital of the World.” As a 5th-generation local guide, Captain Cable offers an authentic Southeast Alaska experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Location: Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Target Species: King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Halibut.
Booking: Call (907) 204-1056 or email campbellfishingcharters@gmail.com
August Strategy for Inside Passage Salmon and Bottom Fish
Success during the late summer transition in Southeast Alaska depends heavily on understanding the tidal movements and bait patterns. In August, massive schools of herring and needlefish move into the intermediate kelp lines and rocky reef structures, drawing the coho and pink salmon close to the shorelines. On the 4 C’s, we focus our efforts on trolling tight to these points, adjusting our downrigger depths constantly to match where the sonar shows the active schools feeding.
When targeting late-season silver salmon, keeping your gear clean and your terminal tackle running perfectly straight is essential. Silvers are aggressive biters, but they are also highly visual predators. We favor using bright flashers paired with hoochies or fresh cut-plug herring to create the maximum amount of flash and vibration in the water. When a school moves through, the action can be fast and furious, with multiple rods popping out of the clips at the exact same time.
For guests interested in multi-species action, switching over to bottom fishing later in the trip provides a fantastic change of pace. Jigging with deep-water plastics or baiting hooks near the local pinnacles allows us to target rockfish and lingcod holding in the structure. Because our trips take place in the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage, you don’t have to worry about the heavy ocean swells found on the outer coast. This makes August an ideal time for families looking to get out on the water together, fill a fish box for the freezer, and enjoy the peak of the Alaskan summer before the fall weather patterns begin to set in.