The Halibut fishing around Ketchikan is phenomenal. Large tides, mass bait fish, and huge schools of migrating salmon and cod provide an abundance of food for the giant flatfish to feed on.What sets Ketchikan apart as a halibut fishing destination? Simply put, its geographic location. Ketchikan is located in what Alaskans call “the inside,” referring to the Inside Passage. The inside passages and islands around Ketchikan give protection from the wind and large swells of the open ocean. These protected waters allow you to get to the fishing grounds faster, increase fishing opportunity, and make fishing much more enjoyable. The prime halibut fishing grounds are just a 30-45 minute run from our lodge. The many islands around Ketchikan mean we can run in any direction to stay out of foul weather while still finding fish.
Guided Halibut Fishing: The best way to hook into one of these heart-pounding, arm-wrenching behemoths. Our guided trips put you on the water for a full 8-10 hour day and take place within a 40-mile radius from the lodge. Most of the fishing is done within an hour’s ride of the dock. Most of our halibut fishing is done from anchor at depths ranging from 150 ft – 350 ft. Slack water, small tides, and good weather also provide opportunities to drift fish. We catch our halibut using several different techniques, including bait fishing with circle hooks, jig fishing, and mooching. We rarely use more than 32 oz of weight to stay on-bottom.
Self-Guided Halibut Fishing: Can be done within a 30-45 minute ride from the lodge in our 21’–23′ aluminum boats. The GPS plotter, fish finder, nautical charts, and species identification sheets included with the boat will assist you in your search for halibut. Our dockhands will suggest places for you to safely fish based on weather, tides, and recent catch rates. Our self-guided fishing trips include halibut rods, a gaff hook, a fish club, a large shark hook, and a halibut harpoon to help wrestle the big ones aboard.
