Ketchikan Southeast Alaska fishing forecast
Ketchikan Southeast Alaska is a saltwater fishing spot in Southeast Alaska, United States. Anglers here target Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pacific Halibut, Lingcod. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August, September.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 15.7 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 22 km/h from S |
| Wave height | 0.4 m at 4 s |
| Current | 0.13 m/s toward NNW |
| Pressure | 1007 hPa |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
The water here is 2.9 °C warmer than the July average of 12.8 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 39.4 m, with the thermocline below that.
Last updated Jul 28, 2026 (UTC). Conditions refresh through the day.
What the score means at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska
Ketchikan Southeast Alaska currently scores 71 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 15.7 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score. As a rough guide, a score above ~65 reflects conditions experienced anglers would typically fish; below ~45, consider waiting for a better window or targeting different species. The score blends live weather and ocean signals and can change through the day.
Bite windows
Best months for Ketchikan Southeast Alaska:
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
What you can catch
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Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
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Oncorhynchus kisutch
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Hippoglossus stenolepis
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Ophiodon elongatus
Best months by species at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska
| Chinook SalmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coho SalmonOncorhynchus kisutch | ||||||||||||
| Pacific HalibutHippoglossus stenolepis | ||||||||||||
| LingcodOphiodon elongatus |
Months reflect typical catchability by species at this latitude; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook SalmonADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations — regional booklets and in-season Emergency Orders | — | — | — |
| LIMIT SET BY AREA AND BY EMERGENCY ORDER — FishRadar does not publish a number for Alaskan king salmon. ADF&G sets king limits separately in each regional sport fishing regulation booklet and changes them in-season by emergency order; some fisheries close entirely. A king salmon stamp is required in addition to a sport fishing licence, and an annual harvest record must be carried and filled in immediately on retaining a king. Read the current regulations for the specific area and check the emergency orders page before you fish. | |||
| Coho SalmonADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations — regional booklets and in-season Emergency Orders | — | — | — |
| LIMIT SET BY AREA AND BY EMERGENCY ORDER. Coho limits differ between the Southeast, Southcentral and Southwest regulation booklets and are adjusted in-season. Read the booklet for the area you are fishing. | |||
| Pacific HalibutIPHC / U.S. federal fisheries authority Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (Areas 2C and 3A) | — | — | — |
| NOT SET BY ALASKA. Pacific halibut is managed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and U.S. federal fisheries authority, not by ADF&G, and the rules differ between guided charter anglers and unguided anglers in the same water — Area 2C (Southeast) and Area 3A (Southcentral, including Homer and Kodiak) each have their own charter limits and size restrictions under the Catch Sharing Plan, set annually. Check the IPHC and U.S. federal fisheries authority rules for your regulatory area and whether your trip is guided. | |||
| LingcodADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations — regional booklets, lingcod provisions | — | — | — |
| LIMIT AND SEASON SET BY AREA. Lingcod has a closed season in Alaskan salt water to protect nesting males, and both the season dates and the minimum size differ between regulation areas. Read the booklet for the area you are fishing. | |||
Licensing:
- combined — residents Resident annual sport fishing licence $20.00. Resident annual king salmon stamp $10.00. Low-income combined sport fishing, hunting and trapping licence $5.00., non-residents Non-resident sport fishing licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00. A king salmon stamp is priced to match the licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00.
FishRadar publishes NO bag or size limits for Alaska, on purpose. Alaska does not set statewide sport limits: ADF&G issues separate regulation booklets for the Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest and Northern regions, and then amends them during the season by emergency order, which is how king salmon fisheries open and close. Pacific halibut is not managed by Alaska at all but by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and U.S. federal fisheries authority, with different rules for guided and unguided anglers. Read the ADF&G booklet for your specific area, and check the emergency orders page on the day you fish.
Check Ketchikan Southeast Alaska before you go
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Nearby spots
Explore 5 more fishing spots within 1275 km of Ketchikan Southeast Alaska.
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Sitka
Juneau Gastineau Channel
Kenai River AK
Kenai Peninsula
Homer Kachemak Bay
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska?
Anglers at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska target Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Pacific Halibut and Lingcod.
When is the best time to fish Ketchikan Southeast Alaska?
The most productive months at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska are typically May, June, July, August, September.
What is the fishing forecast for Ketchikan Southeast Alaska right now?
Ketchikan Southeast Alaska currently scores 71 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Do you need a licence to fish Ketchikan Southeast Alaska?
Fishing at Ketchikan Southeast Alaska follows the local rules for Southeast Alaska, United States. Bag limits, size limits, seasons and licence requirements are summarised in the Local regulations section above, with a link to the official authority.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Salmon: Kings, Coho, and SockeyeHow to Catch Pacific Halibut: The Barn Door of the North PacificHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Scores and conditions are forecasts for guidance only and can change rapidly. Always check local rules and current conditions, follow all fishing regulations, and prioritise your safety on the water.