Ketchikan, Alaska is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” for good reason Each summer, thousands of salmon return to the rivers, streams and marine waters surrounding Ketchikan to continue the cycle of life. For anglers and sightseers, this annual migration of salmon offers an incredible opportunity to witness nature at its finest
Today, we’re going to talk about when and where you can see salmon runs in Ketchikan during the summer. There are five types of Pacific salmon: chinook, sockeye, coho, pink, and chum. We will talk about when their runs happen. Find out when and where you can see these amazing fish best by reading on!
Overview of Salmon Runs in Ketchikan
Salmon runs occur from May through October in Ketchikan. Here is a quick overview of when each salmon species migrates through the area:
- Chinook (King) – Mid May – July
- Sockeye (Red) – June – August
- Coho (Silver) – August – October
- Pink – July – August
- Chum – June – August
Runs typically begin with chinook in May, followed by sockeye pinks and chum through the summer months. As fall approaches coho enter the area for their seasonal spawning rituals.
Next, we’ll go through the timing and top spots for witnessing each salmon species upclose during their runs in Ketchikan
When and Where To See Chinook Salmon
Timing: Mid May – July
The chinook or king salmon run lasts from mid May through July in Ketchikan. The best action happens from late May into early summer when large kings return en masse to their natal streams.
Where To See Them:
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Ketchikan Creek – This creek flows right through downtown Ketchikan. It fills with kings during July as they stage and prepare to move upstream. The wooden boardwalks of Creek St provide excellent viewing areas.
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Whitman Lake – Located 12 miles north of Ketchikan. Prime king salmon fishing and viewing from late May – July. Accessible by boat or bush plane only.
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Neets Bay – Popular fishing spot for king salmon located 48 miles NE of Ketchikan. Salmon migrate through the bay from May – July.
When and Where To See Sockeye Salmon
Timing: June – August
From June through August, thousands of shiny red sockeye salmon return to Ketchikan waters. The peak of the run happens in early July when schools of sockeye flood into local rivers.
Where To See Them:
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Ketchikan Creek – June and July are great months to spot sockeye salmon in Ketchikan Creek as they move upstream. The banks near Creek Street offer front row seats.
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Whitman Lake – Thousands of sockeye salmon amass in Whitman Lake north of Ketchikan in June and July before moving into natal spawning streams.
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Neets Bay – Sockeye cruise the protected waters of Neets Bay from June to August on their way upstream. Charter boats intercept them here.
When and Where To See Coho Salmon
Timing: August – October
As summer transitions to fall, coho or silver salmon make their run into Ketchikan waters. They peak from late August into September. Some late-running coho can be found through October.
Where To See Them:
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Ketchikan Creek – From late August through September, mature coho salmon turn bright red and gather in Ketchikan Creek before moving to spawning grounds.
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Herring Cove – South of Ketchikan, silvers stack up in this protected cove from August – October as they wait to enter the streams.
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Ward Cove – North of town, Ward Cove holds migrating coho salmon throughout August and well into September.
When and Where To See Pink Salmon
Timing: July – August
Abundant pink salmon runs occur in Ketchikan on odd numbered years. During these dominant run years, pinks flood local waters from July to August on their biennial spawning migration.
Where To See Them:
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Ketchikan Creek – In July of odd years, the creek turns foil of pink salmon, with thousands of fish pulsing through the water.
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Mountain Point – This rocky point near Ketchikan lights up with pink salmon action from mid July – August during dominant run years.
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Thomas Basin – Inside this protected inlet, pink salmon school up by the thousands in July as they wait to enter Ketchikan Creek.
When and Where To See Chum Salmon
Timing: June – August
Chum salmon runs build through the summer months and peak in August around Ketchikan. These silvery salmon with striking maroon strips and white tipped fins are a welcome sight for anglers and observers.
Where To See Them:
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Ketchikan Creek – Good numbers of chum salmon can be seen in the creek from July to August as they migrate and prepare to spawn.
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Mahoney Lake – In August, chum salmon amass near the outlet of this lake south of Ketchikan before moving into the spawning streams.
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Neets Bay – Charter boats intercept chum salmon that cruise through Neets Bay headed to their natal streams from July – August.
Best Ways To See Salmon Runs In Ketchikan
Here are some top ways to witness the salmon runs during your visit to Ketchikan:
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Walk along Ketchikan Creek or Creek Street downtown – Plank boardwalks put you at water level with salmon.
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Book a fishing charter – Let guides put you on the salmon during the peak of their runs.
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Take flightseeing & air tours – View salmon gathering from planes and helicopters.
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Visit hatcheries – Nearby Whitman and Deer Mountain hatcheries give an inside look at the salmon life cycle.
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Explore offshore in a kayak or boat – Paddle among migrating salmon as they cruise the protected bays and passages.
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Hike coastal trails – Trails near Ketchikan Creek and other streams allow you to see spawning rituals.
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Join interpretive programs – Rangers offer guided talks on salmon ecology and migration patterns.
Plan Your Ketchikan Salmon Viewing Adventure
As you can see, there are amazing opportunities to witness incredible salmon runs throughout the summer season in Ketchikan. Each species makes its migratory journey on a different schedule, giving visitors a chance to observe all five types of Pacific salmon that define this region.
5 Types of salmon you may encounter on a Ketchikan, Alaska salmon fishing trip
1. King Salmon: This species, which natives call “Chinook” salmon, is the biggest and rarest salmon in the Pacific. Most King salmon are between 30 and 40 pounds, but some fishermen have caught ones that were over 100 pounds. In 1949, a trap caught the state record, which was 126 pounds. Some King salmon have white bodies, but most are red. They’re known for the black spots that run down their back and tail.
The King salmon is also Alaska’s official fish. It’s highly desirable for its oil content that gives it such a buttery, delectable flavor.
Even though you can fish for Chinook all year, the best time to do so in Alaska is during its spawning run, which happens every year from May to June.
2. Chum Salmon: Chum salmon are greenish-blue with black spots on their backs and silver across their bodies when they start their long journey to spawn in the ocean. As they move into freshwater to spawn though, the green becomes more pronounced. They also develop vertical stripes that become quite obvious. Chums are also.
known as “Dog” salmon because they were important to the dogs of native people in the 200 rural villages in the middle of the state.
Many people dry and smoke chum salmon or use it in chowders and soups because it doesn’t have much oil and the meat is firmer than other types of salmon.
Chums can weigh up to 30 pounds, but the average catch ranges between 7 and 18 pounds. The best time for fishing Chum salmon in Alaska is during the peak of the summer (July/August).
3. Coho Salmon: The Coho is often called the “Silver salmon” because of the bright silvery color on its sides. Its orange-red flesh is also what makes it a favorite among chefs around the world. The Coho is also the second largest salmon just behind the King. And during spawning, male Cohos change from a silvery color to a brighter red, though not as much as Chum males do.
Coho salmon are one of the most sought-after fish for sport fishermen because they are known to fight hard. The Coho averages between 8 and 12 pounds and between 24 and 30 inches in length.
Coho salmon fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska is best between July and November.
4. Sockeye Salmon: This type of salmon is also called the “Red” salmon, and most fish experts agree that it tastes the best of all the Alaskan salmon. Its flesh maintains the signature bright red color, even when it’s fully cooked. Besides the meat, Sockeye eggs are a delicacy in Japan. In terms of economic significance to Alaska, the Sockeye takes the prize as #1. It gets the “red” moniker because of its brilliant scarlet color during spawning.
Sockeye Salmon Fishing is a Popular Up River Attraction for Fly Anglers
Sockeyes generally weigh about 6 pounds and average around 20 to 24 inches in length. Their spawning season, and therefore the best fishing, occurs between July and October.
5. Pink Salmon: The last type of salmon on our list is the Pink. It is the smallest salmon species in Alaska, but it is also the most common—140 million of them are caught every year! Don’t be fooled by its small size, though—Pinks are known to be fierce fighters. They typically average around 3-5 pounds but can grow to as large as 14 pounds. When males are ready to spawn, the Pink is known as a “Humpy” because of its hooked nose and hump. Pinks are also known for large spots along their back, fins and tail.
The spawning season for the Pink salmon in Ketchikan occurs between late June and mid-October. Nearly all of the Pinks harvested commercially are canned.
As you can see, the different kinds of salmon that live in Alaska’s water are different sizes. Also, some types are more abundant in certain areas than others. For example, Pink salmon are well known in the Ketchikan area. Sockeye salmon fishing is best in Bristol Bay.
Which salmon species you wind up targeting will boil down to when you plan on visiting. You’re more likely to catch a Chum around July 4th, while you’re more likely to catch a Coho or Pink later in September. In particular, Sockeye Salmon is generally not targeted on rod and reel due to their feeding habits. Other methods are generally utilized(including netting), but we can sometimes get into some.
Salmon Fishing In Ketchikan
You may be thinking that salmon is salmon. As a first-time visitor to the Alaskan paradise, you probably have only seen salmon in a fish market or in a can at your local supermarket. However, once you arrive in Alaska, you will soon learn there are in fact five different varieties of salmon you can fish for.
Yes, you can catch a King salmon while salmon fishing in Ketchikan in February. However, the best time for all the different types of salmon that live in Alaska is from May to October, when it is warmer. These are the only times that most charter services are open because, well, the weather isn’t great for salmon fishing the rest of the year. Also, Alaska is so far north that it stays dark for so long during the winter solstice that it’s hard to fish for salmon.
Those of you who want to go salmon fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska, should keep reading this short guide to the different kinds of salmon you might see there.
The Aftermath Of The SALMON RUN In KETCHIKAN ALASKA!
FAQ
What month do salmon run in Ketchikan, Alaska?
When to see salmon run in Alaska?
Is Ketchikan the salmon capital of the world?
Where is the biggest salmon run in Alaska?
How often do salmon fight at Ketchikan Creek Falls?
The salmon themselves have an internal clock that brings them in droves to Ketchikan every single year at the same time, giving an incredible show to onlookers. From mid-July to mid-September, five different types of salmon work themselves to near exhaustion trying to fight their way up stream at Ketchikan Creek Falls.
When is the best time to fish for chum salmon in Ketchikan?
The best time to fish for Chum salmon in Ketchikan salt water fisheries is during the month of August and for fresh water fisheries late August through early September. Some of the more popular salt water fisheries in Ketchikan for targeting Chum include the Ship Island Area, Anchor Pass, Yes Bay and Caamano Point.
When do salmon run?
Sockeye runs occur at the height of summer during July, but are not as abundant as other species of Pacific salmon. Coho, more commonly known as Silver Salmon, run July through early October. Coho runs are typically just heating up as King, Sockeye and Pink salmon runs are cooling down for the season.
When do chum salmon run?
Chum salmon make two runs every year, one in the summer and one in the fall. The second run is typically the larger. And since most salmon species run during the summer, the fall is a great time to target Chum salmon. Chum salmon are found in the fresh water rivers throughout Alaska’s northwest and Yukon drainage.