Known as the “salmon capital of the world,” the Alaskan city of Ketchikan offers a vast range of recreational fishing opportunities, including a wide choice of organised tours.
(Photo: Alaska King Charter / Courtesy Fishingbooker.com)
Home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles, the city and its surroundings are also a haven for anglers with a taste for adventure. Indeed, many of the area’s prime fishing spots are located in secluded wilderness areas, accessible only by boat or small plane. If you’re looking for a fishing excursion in and around Ketchikan, here are 5 of the best to pick from.
4-Hour Salmon Fishing Trip
If you’ve tasted Salmon before, on this half-day trip you’ll discover the fish you find in the supermarket are missing two essential aspects: the chase and the taste. There’s quite simply nothing quite like bringing a huge King Salmon into the boat, and this excursion will teach you the best and most enjoyable ways of doing just that. Departing at 7am, you’ll be taken out to sea aboard a 28’ Hewes Craft boat that’s perfectly suited to the local waters to begin your hunt for salmon. You’ll also be supplied with all the gear you need to get the full Alaskan fishing experience. From $894 per group (max 2 people; $278 for additional guests).
6-Hour Halibut Trip
(Photo: Alaska Catch Sportfishing / Courtesy Fishingbooker.com)
Alaska’s second most famous saltwater sport fish is Halibut, and this extended 6-hour trip aboard a 26’ Hewescraft boat. invites you to go on the prowl for the delicate-tasting species. However, if you do manage to hook a Halibut – which are most abundant in the area from May to September – you’ll quickly discover that it’s anything but delicate when you bring it into the boat. These monsters can reach up to 500 pounds – but fear not, you’ll be accompanied the whole time by an experienced, dedicated crew who know just how to tame these beasts of the sea. All trips come with quality gear, tackle, bait, and lures, as well as snacks and drinks. From $745 per group (max 3 people; $373 for additional guests).
Full Day Trip–Salmon/Halibut Combo
Get the most bang – or pounds of fish – for your buck on this full-day excursion. Taking you to the far reaches and coveted spots to bring you all the fish you can catch, the trip is suitable for all, from beginners to seasoned anglers. You’ll spend the day aboard either a 22’ Bayliner or a 30’ Krutop. When trolling, you’ll have 3-4 lines in the water at once, so you can all get in on the action. During the day you can expect to come face to fin with a Chinook, Coho, Pink Salmon, and Halibut, while other species are optional and discussed at the time of booking. Top-quality rods and reels are included. From $1,466 per group (max 3 people; $422 for additional guests).
4 Day Epic Fishing Vacation Bundle
(Photo: Reel Alaska Fishing Charters / Courtesy Fishingbooker.com)
Featuring two days’ fishing, and 4 nights’ lodging on a double or triple occupancy basis, this is the bucket list trip of a lifetime you’ll reminisce about around the dinner table for years to come. Aboard a 30’-35’ boat with a stable ride, warm interior, and plenty of space on deck to reel in some big beauties, you’ll prowl the waters armed with state-of-the-art rods and reels for Chinook Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish and more. There are also crabbing or shrimping opportunities for those interested. As well as all equipment included in the tour price are drinks and snacks. From $4,074 per group (max 2 people; $496 for additional guests).
7 Day Epic Fishing Vacation Bundle
If you have both the time and budget, this week-long fishing odyssey is about as good as it gets. Including 4 days on the boat for up to 8 hours a day, you’ll chase trophy Salmon, Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish while surrounded by whales and keeping your eye out for bears on land. The trip includes 6 nights of lodging as well as rods, reels, tackle, and safety equipment. Your boat will be a 30’-35’ vessel that has plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to fish from. Included in the price of the trip are the top quality rods and reels, plus drinks and snacks. From $7,551 per group (max 2 people; $744 for additional guests).