Herring Bay & Mountain Point: Ketchikan King Salmon Regulations 2026

Looking for the official Ketchikan King Salmon regulations 2026? You’re in the right place. The wait is finally over! The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has released the 2026 emergency orders for our local hatchery areas. If you’ve been itching to get a Ketchikan King Salmon on the line, June and July are looking spectacular.

At Campbell Fishing Charters, we’ve been tracking these returns closely. Because the projected returns to our local facilities—including the Whitman Lake and Deer Mountain hatcheries—are exceeding broodstock needs, anglers are getting a massive boost in opportunity this season.

Here is the breakdown of the new regulations for the Herring Bay and Mountain Point areas so you can stay legal and fill the freezer.

Herring Bay Terminal Area: Limits Increased!

Starting June 1 through July 31, 2026, the terminal waters of Herring Bay are opening up with some of the most generous limits we’ve seen. This is a “Terminal Harvest Area,” meaning these are surplus hatchery fish intended for harvest.

• Dates: June 1 – July 31, 2026.

• The Limit: 3 King Salmon per day (any size).

• Nonresident Bonus: King Salmon harvested in this specific Herring Bay zone do not count toward your nonresident annual limit.

Navigation Tip: The Herring Bay area is strictly defined as waters west of the Hole-In-The-Wall harbor entrance to the ADF&G markers north of Whitman Creek. When we’re out on the 4C’s, we make sure we stay within these boundaries to take advantage of the 3-fish limit.

Mountain Point & Ketchikan Hatchery Openings

ADF&G has also announced openings for the Mountain Point, Carroll Inlet, and Thomas Basin areas. These spots are prime territory for targeting Alaska hatchery-produced Kings originating from Deer Mountain and Carroll Inlet remote releases.

These area-specific openings are a key part of the Ketchikan King Salmon regulations 2026 designed to let anglers harvest surplus hatchery fish.

Annual Limits and Ketchikan King Salmon Regulations 2026

Regulation Details for All Anglers:

• Bag & Possession Limit: 1 King Salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

• Nonresident Annual Limit: 3 King Salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Area Specific Dates:

• Carroll Inlet: Open June 1 – June 14. (Waters north of Nigelius Point).

• Thomas Basin: Open June 1 – June 14. (Seaward of the Stedman Street Bridge).

• Mountain Point Area: Open June 8 – June 14. This includes the waters of George and Carroll Inlets north of the Mountain Point line.

Know Before You Go: Staying Legal on the Water

Staying compliant with the Ketchikan King Salmon regulations 2026 is essential, especially when moving between terminal harvest areas and more restrictive regional waters. While these hatchery areas offer expanded limits, the salt waters outside these zones remain more restrictive.

1. Multiple Areas: If you fish in a high-limit area (like Herring Bay) and then move into a more restrictive zone, you cannot possess more fish than the limit of the water you are currently in.

2. Recording Your Catch: Nonresidents must immediately record all King Salmon harvested (28″ or longer) on the back of their harvest record or fishing license.

3. Post-Hatchery Season: Once these special regulations expire on July 31, we revert back to regional Southeast Alaska King Salmon limits.

Book Your 2026 Ketchikan Fishing Charter

With the King Salmon “blitz” about to hit the hatchery areas, our calendar is filling up fast. Whether you are coming off a cruise ship for a 4-hour private charter or you’re a local looking to hit the Herring Bay opener, the 4C’s is ready to get you on the fish.

We specialize in high-action, professional trips that maximize your time on the water. Don’t miss out on the best King Salmon fishing Ketchikan has to offer this summer.