Why Charter Fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska is Every Fisherman’s Dream Come True
As a fisherman, do you have a bucket list featuring all the different places you would like to fish during your lifetime? If so, charter fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska should definitely be on that list.
The state of Alaska has earned a reputation for being freezing cold and barren. That might lead you to believe that fishing in Ketchikan will be a miserable experience.
But in reality, charter fishing in Ketchikan has so much to offer to someone who has never done it before. Once you start doing it, you’ll quickly realize that fishing in Ketchikan is basically every fisherman’s dream come true.
Take a look at why the fishing scene in Ketchikan is so amazing below. It should convince you to add fishing in Ketchikan to your bucket list immediately.
The Weather in Ketchikan Is Milder Than You Might Think
There are a lot of people who are under the impression that charter fishing in Ketchikan will force them to deal with extreme weather conditions. If you’re one of these people, we’ve got some great news for you.
The weather in Ketchikan is not nearly as bad as you might think it is.
The temperature does drop below freezing in the wintertime. It’s not uncommon for it to be in the 20s and 30s in December, January, and February.
But in general, the average temperature in Ketchikan sits at right around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s very mild compared to other parts of Alaska, and it’ll ensure you’re comfortable when you’re charter fishing in Ketchikan.
It does tend to a rain a lot in Ketchikan. But if you’re a fisherman, you know that that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are some fish that will become more active when rain is in the forecast.
As long as you pack accordingly for a charter fishing trip in Ketchikan, you shouldn’t have any trouble at all dealing with whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
There Are So Many Different Types of Fish in Alaska
Ketchikan is widely regarded as the salmon capital of the world. If you enjoy fishing for salmon, you will absolutely love the salmon fishing that’s available in this part of Alaska.
But as those who spend a lot of time fishing in Ketchikan will tell you, there is more than just salmon in the waters in and around it.
Here are just some of the different species of fish that you’ll find when charter fishing in Ketchikan:
- King Salmon
- Pacific Halibut
- Yelloweye Rockfish
- Ling Cod
- And so, so much more!
Before booking a fishing trip to Ketchikan, you should take the time to learn the fishing schedule in the area.
It’s best to visit Ketchikan from mid-May through mid-July if it’s King Salmon you’re after. Meanwhile, it’s best to visit Ketchikan from May to September if you want to catch Pacific Halibut.
By planning your charter trip accordingly, you can give yourself a great chance to catch more of the fish you want to bring on board your boat.
The Fish in Ketchikan Offer Fishermen a Unique Challenge
Have you ever spent 30 minutes trying to get a 40-inch King Salmon that’s on your line into your boat? Or have you ever felt what it’s like for a 400-pound Pacific Halibut to pull on your line and refuse to give up without a fight?
Casual fishermen are more than welcome to come to Ketchikan to see what it’s like to fish for these types of large fish. But we have found that it’s the avid fishermen who often enjoy it the most. They can’t believe the size of some of the fish they pull out of the waters in the area!
They also can’t believe how tough it can be to bring some of the fish in Ketchikan in successfully. Salmon and halibut present unique challenges that fishermen don’t often face when they’re out on a charter.
If you’re able to catch the salmon and halibut in Ketchikan, you can catch them anywhere. You’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you manage to reel one in and get it onto a boat.
You Can Bring the Fish You Catch in Ketchikan Home With You
Some of the fishermen who come to Ketchikan to do charter fishing catch fish and then release them back into the water. They have no intention of eating the fish or showing them off to their fishing buddies back home.
But most of the fishermen who come to Ketchikan for the city’s charter fishing are so taken aback by how large the fish are that they can’t help but take them home at the end of their trip.
Fortunately, this is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged by those who helm charter fishing boats in Ketchikan. If you’re strong enough to bring a King Salmon or Pacific Halibut in, why shouldn’t you get to keep it?
There are a few rules and regulations you’ll need to follow when it comes to keeping fish when charter fishing in Ketchikan. Here are a few of them:
- Fishermen can keep 1 King Salmon during a charter fishing trip as long as it’s over 28 inches long
- Fishermen can keep 6 Pink Salmon during a charter fishing trip, no matter how big they are
- Fishermen can keep 6 Silver Salmon during a charter fishing trip, no matter how big they are
- Fishermen can keep 6 Chum Salmon during a charter fishing trip, no matter how big they are
- Fishermen can keep 1 Pacific Halibut during a charter fishing trip as long as it’s either under 44 inches long or over 80 inches long. Nothing in between 44 inches and 80 inches is permitted
When you work with a fishing charter company in Ketchikan, you can also have your keepers processed and shipped to your home so that they’re there waiting for you once you get back. It’s so easy to do and will help you end your trip on the highest of high notes.
You Can Get Help Catching Fish by Charter Fishing in Ketchikan
One of the things fishermen love most about charter fishing in Ketchikan is that there are so many great charter companies available.
If you’ve never been to Ketchikan to fish, you won’t know the best places to put your line in to bring up large fish. You also might not be familiar with what kind of bait you’ll need to catch King Salmon, Pacific Halibut, or any of the other fish found in Ketchikan waters.
Our charter fishing company can make it easy for you to track down fish and bring them on board our charter boat. We can:
- Provide you with the fishing gear you’ll need, including a fishing license
- Show you the ropes so that you know when and where to fish in Ketchikan
- Tell you all about the local waterways and the history behind them
- Accommodate larger groups that are interested in charter fishing in Ketchikan
- Cater to both hardcore fishermen and those who want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan experience while stopping in Ketchikan during a cruise
- Make sure you have the time of your life while fishing for King Salmon, Pacific Halibut, and more
You won’t have to worry about fishing in Ketchikan and not catching anything when you’re with us. We can’t guarantee how many fish you’ll catch. But we can guarantee you’ll have a better chance of catching fish with us than without us.
There Is So Much Beautiful Wildlife Surrounding You in Ketchikan
Just like we can’t guarantee you’ll catch fish when you’re charter fishing in Ketchikan with us, we can’t guarantee you’ll see wildlife when you’re out on our charter boat.
But there is so much wildlife in Ketchikan that it’s almost impossible to imagine a scenario in which you won’t see something majestic out in the wild.
In the past, our passengers have seen bald eagles, black bears, orca whales, sea lions, blacktail deer, harbor seals, and so much more. It’s almost as fun to look around at all the wildlife as it is to drop a line in the water and fish.
You’ll also get dropped right in the middle of one of the most peaceful and serene places in the whole world when you’re in Ketchikan. Some of the places we can take you are hard to reach for those who don’t know the area.
If you could benefit from taking a break from your regular life, fishing in Ketchikan just might be the best way to do it.
Book a Charter Fishing Trip in Ketchikan Today
Does charter fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska sound like an absolute dream to you?
Whether you’ve been fishing for years now or just started fishing yesterday, there is nothing quite like taking a charter fishing trip in Ketchikan. It’ll let you see everything Alaska has to offer while also setting you up with some of the best fishing in the world.
Book a fishing trip in Ketchikan today and experience it for yourself. You can also take a look at our blog to learn everything you’ll need to know about fishing in Alaska.