Fish Species and regulations

October 1st-March 31st

Resident: 2 King -28 inches or greater.

Nonresident: 1 King -28 inches or greater.

**Typically King salmon re-opens due to emergency order Sept 1st but its dependent on catch numbers. 

June 15 to August 14      

Resident: 1 King- 28 inches.      Nonresident: 1 King- 28 inches.

The nonresident annual limit is three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. This number can change at any time due to regulations.   

*Historically accurate rules, subject to change.

Ketchikan: Mountain Point/Carol Inlet

June 1st to August 14     

Resident: 1 King- 28 inches or greater.     

Nonresident: 1 King- 28 inches or greater. 

Ketchikan: Herring Cove

June 1st to July 31st

Resident: 3 Kings of any size.

Nonresident: 3 Kings of any size- NO IMPACT on your annual maximum of 3 kings!

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon, they range between 6 and 12 pounds. Coho has a mild salmon flavor and a distinct flake. Coho is a delicious combination of sockeye with the mild and rich characteristics of king salmon. Often a local favorite.

Open 365 days a year, but we start catching them out on the ocean in the end of June, season starts to really heat up by August and stays hot through the third week in September.

16 inches or longer: 6 of each species per day, 12 of each species in possession.

Less than 16 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession.

We typically have a bountiful run of pinks & chums.

 Sockeye are available but rarely caught as bi-catch.  

Average size for pinks and sockeye range from 3-10lbs.

Chum range from 5-20lbs.

Open 365 days a year, but we start catching them out on the ocean in mid June, season starts to really heat up by mid July and stays hot through the third week in August.

16 inches or longer: 6 of each species per day, 12 of each species in possession.

Less than 16 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession.

The lingcod are nicknamed “bucket-head” due to their wide flattened head. 

They are dark gray, brown, or greenish on the back with some copper-colored mottling or spotting along the upper back. 

This species of cod can grow up to 60+inches and a weight of 130-pounds. 

Lingcod are highly prized for their excellent edibility.

Season: May 16–November 30. Lingcod are steady from the opening through October. 

Residents – 1 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.

• Nonresidents – 1 daily, 1 in possession, size limit: 30  to 40 inches in length, or 55 inches or greater in length. Annual limit  of 2 fish, one of which is 30 to 40 inches in length, one of which is  55 inches or greater in length.  

Pacific halibut are the largest flatfish in Family Pleuronectidae. 

Halibut and other flatfish are flattened laterally, and swim sideways, with one side facing down and the other facing up. 

The upper side is typically gray to brown, or nearly black, with mottling and numerous spots to blend in with a sandy or muddy bottom. 

The underside is typically white. Virtually all halibut are right-eyed, meaning both eyes are found on the upper, dark side of the body

February 1–December 31

We start up regularly in April & May and continue steady all summer through October. 

Chartered Clients for South East Alaska 2023.

1 Halibut per day. 

0-40" or 80" or larger.

7 days a week, no annual limit.

*Starting July 24th no halibut retention on Mondays. 

Females produce a large number of eggs (up to 2,700,000) and give birth to live larval young.

Yelloweye are slow to mature but are very long lived. One individual was aged at 121 years old. In Southeast, Alaska yelloweye males mature around the age of 18 while females mature around 22 years old. 

Rockfish are open 365 days a year.

*Retention of demersal shelf rockfish for non-residents is closed for all south east Alaska.

Pelagic Rockfish

No size limit: 5 per day, 10 in possession.

Slope Rockfish: 1 per day, 1 in possession. 

Sablefish, also known as black cod, live on the ocean floor and have been found at depths of more than a mile below the surface. 

Another nickname for sablefish is "butterfish," and the reason is simple: Few fish are as silky rich in omega-3 fats as the sablefish. 

They are abundant, and because sablefish's taste, appearance and texture are similar to Chilean sea bass, sable is an environmentally superior choice to sea bass, which is threatened in some fisheries.

BlackCod is open for retention 365 days a year.

Alaska residents: No size limit: 4 per day, 4 in possession.

Nonresidents: No size limit: 4 per day, 4 in possession. 8 fish annual limit. 

Dungeness Crab: Absolutely delicious! They have become one of the four most popular high-class seafood in the world today.

Spot prawns (Pandalus platyceros) are large, clean shrimp that have a delicate texture and amazingly sweet taste that many liken to a combination of the best lobster and fresh-churned butter. Our absolute favorite. 

Shrimping and Dungeness crab are open for retention 365 days a year.

Tanner crab: Closed June 16 through June 30.

Crabbing permits are included with your fishing license at no cost.

Shrimping permits are free but must be filled out and submitted. 

King crab: Closed to nonresidents. Tanner and Dungeness crab (in combination): 3 males.  

Tanner crab: 5½ inches minimum size. 

Dungeness crab: 6½ inches minimum size. 

Shrimp: 3 pounds or quarts (whole or deheaded) - no size restrictions

Cabezon, flounder, pacific cod, kelp greenling, sharks, and even prowfish can be caught and reeled in on any given day onboard Reel Alaska Fishing Charters.

Open for retention 365 days a year. 

All non listed fish=No size limit, no maximum catch count. Stack the deck, fill the freezer. 

SHARKS (EXCEPT SPINY DOGFISH)  No size limit: 1 per day, 1 in possession. 2 shark annual limit, harvest record required. 

SPINY DOGFISH - No size limit: 5 per day, 5 in possession, harvest record not required.