The Spring Chinook (King Salmon) start showing up in May, followed by the summer Coho, Chum, Pinks, and then a fall run of Coho, giving us about four-and-a-half months of solid salmon fishing. So what month is the best for salmon fishing? It just depends on what you want to catch. You really can’t go wrong when salmon fishing in Ketchikan—the fish are bright, tasty, and better than anything you’ll find in the river or grocery store. Following is a list of dates and what you can expect to catch in Ketchikan.
The King Salmon Trophy Hunt
June: You’ll be first to the grounds, giving you the first shot at the Chinook (King) Salmon run. The largest of all salmon species and prized for the high oil content in their meat, they are “king” for a reason! You’re not likely to encounter any Silvers, Sockeye, Pinks, or Keta salmon at this time, as they run later in the season. You can expect to catch King Salmon, Halibut, Cod, and Rockfish.
Mid-Summer Action: Kings, Pinks, Keta, and the First Silvers
July: Excellent for King Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Keta. Early Silvers (Coho) and Sockeye are also available. All are bright and tasty this time of year. There’s a high likelihood of catching King Salmon in July, too. A great month for fishing if you want to take home a variety of fish and try your hand at salmon, halibut, and bottom fishing.
August: Similar to July, with strong numbers of Pink and Keta salmon, and increasing numbers of Coho Silvers. Great month for filling the freezer. You might even come across a King Salmon or two, although they are starting to migrate out of our area at this time.
The Fall Coho Run: Big Fish, High Bag Limits, Lots of Action
September: Coho (Silver) Salmon season. The fall run brings Silvers up to 18 pounds, and you can catch six per person per day. Hooking into doubles and triples is common. Kings, Pinks, and Chum are largely gone, but the size and limit of the Coho are the big appeal. A great month for fishing if you want lots of action.
