Ketchikan Charter Boats Frequently Asked Questions

Our business is locally owned, owner-operated, and over 160 years of combined experience fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska. This adventure is a High-quality, enjoyable experience that is customizable to your needs.

Yes!  We book singles on the four-hour salmon charters. All other trips require four guest minimum to book. We are one of the few charter companies that can accommodate single reservations.  Please remember that we do try to accommodate many parties of various sizes during the busy season. You will most likely share your boat with another group. We are regulated to carry no more than six paid Guests/Soles per vessel, Great for the individual guest that does not want a party boat. All boats are in the 30-foot range with inside heated cabins and private restroom plenty of room for six guests. You can arrange a Private charter for one or two people.

All of our Fishing Charters include: All of the top quality bait, tackle, and lures that you’ll need, rain gear (see below “What Should I Wear?”), snacks and beverages (non-alcoholic), as much instruction as you need, inside secrets on where to find the fish, and plenty of fun times!

All of our Sightseeing Charters include Rain gear (see below “What Should I Wear?”), snacks, and beverages.

Summer temperatures in Ketchikan range from 50 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees to 21 degrees Celsius) and can vary from windy and overcast to calm and sunny.  Always wear comfortable clothes and layers relevant to the day’s forecast.

While we provide some rain gear to be most comfortable in rainy conditions, you’ll want to have your own.

Remember, during peak times, our charters book up fast, so avoid disappointment and plan.  If you didn’t book a reservation, contact us as soon as possible because we may still be able to accommodate you.

You don’t have to have any skills at all!  Whether you’re an avid fisherman or hobbyist or haven’t been fishing since you were a kid. We customize our services to your experience.  Many customers are hesitant about what to expect on charter trips, and we’re here to tell you, you have no worries.  We pride ourselves on giving our customers the care and support they need, no matter their level of experience.

Absolutely.  We have host lots of children on our charters!  All children 12 and younger must wear a USCG approved life jacket at all times when in an open boat, on the deck of a vessel. Life vest sizes go by body weight and chest size. Let us know if you need an extra small vest for your child. If you have one for your child that meets regulation, please bring it with you. Booking with Ketchikan Charter Boats, our goal is to have a safe, fun adventure the entire family will enjoy and remember for years to come!

• Single bookings up to six guests can cancel a tour up to 14 days before departure and receive a full refund and is non-refundable if not canceled by customers before 14 days before tour departure.
• Large group and multi-day trips can cancel a tour up to 30 days before the first departure date and receive a full refund. And are non-refundable if not canceled by customers before 30 days before tour departure.
• Non-refundable for anyone who fails to show up for a tour at the scheduled time. Or does not use all of the scheduled services.
• If you think the weather is terrible, do not just expect that we have canceled the trip.
• Weather cancellations are at the skipper’s discretion, and if canceled, you will receive a 100% refund.
• In the event the skipper has called the trip due to bad weather. We will contact you by phone, and If we are unable to reach you, We will still meet you on the dock as scheduled to inform you.
  Once you are on the dock in Ketchikan, most cell services work just like any other U.S. state. Verizon and AT&T are the two leading carriers.
• If your ship is late getting here and have not reached you, please call us, and we will do everything we can to reschedule. You can even reschedule for next year.

You are more than welcome to join us on the boat and sit back to enjoy the scenery!  Go and be with the group. Take Video and Pictures. There is always something to see while out on the water. The Alaskan inside passage is over seven miles long and over a mile, deep in places with all the local species, you may see you never know what will be calling your attention. Since this is a small guest adventure, all prices, adult and child, and ride along are the same, but you will save the fishing license cost. Call us, and we’ll schedule the perfect trip for you and your group.

You never know what you might see!  Wildlife is wild, so we can never guarantee what we’ll see along the way.  Ketchikan is home to eagles, ravens, black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, seals, sea lions, porpoises, Orca, and humpback whales throughout the year.
Depending on the time of year,

• Eagles and Ravens are abundant and are all almost everywhere you look on most days. They tend to more scarce on hot days.
• We have seen Black Bears, Deer swimming to other islands, and walking on the beach. Yes, They swim quite well.
• Sea lions, porpoises are a neet sight to see and seem to pop up randomly. Either of these guys will be after your fish if you are out on a charter.
• Most sightings of Orca are as they swim along with their fin sticking out of the water looking to eat some prime Alaskan salmon, Atho this is a sight to see on a sightseeing trip. They terrorize the salmon and tend not to bite when they are around.
• We have seen humpback whales breaching out of the water and bubble feeding. What catches your attention to whales being around you is when they come up to breathe. If they are close, it can be downright startling, and it gets your adrenalin going.