FAQs

When is the best time to fish?

***NOTE: May is regarded as the beginning of the season, hence the quality of fishing can be either excellent or mediocre, contingent on the behavior of the fish.

Below is a chart that is specific for our area:

Is it common to tip the Captain?

• If the captain has performed well for you, then certainly, gratuity is appreciated as it forms part of their income.
• When queried about the appropriate amount for a tip, similar to fine dining, a 15-20% tip is customary.

How do we get to the boat?

The vessel is docked at the Salmon Falls Resort Marina, approximately 15 miles north of Ketchikan Alaska’s city center. Most visitors usually hail a local taxi service or opt for a rental car.

How much is the cab ride to Salmon Falls Resort?

 The cab fare is a standard charge for a maximum of 6 passengers ($100.00 for a round trip, $50 for one way). Upon your arrival at Salmon Falls Resort, our seasoned Guide will greet your group at the ramp’s top. You can contact Sourdough Cab at (907) 225-5544 to schedule pickup times.

What are the biggest advantages of fishing out where you are instead of getting a charter in town?

The biggest advantage is… Price! Our charters on the north end of town cost less, anywhere from $35.00 to $60.00 less per person.

We are located directly on the best fishing spots, unlike the town charters that need to travel for at least 30 minutes each way to reach the fishing areas. This reduces your actual fishing time. Unless they begin fishing immediately near the ship docks where there are hardly any fish. A 4-hour journey will only provide a maximum of 3 hours of fishing, whereas a 4-hour journey with us will give you a full 4 hours of fishing.

The tax rate in town is 6.5% and out where we are it’s 2.5%

What will the weather be like?

We recommend, prepare for RAIN! The Tongass National Forest is a moderate rain forest. The chilliest month we experience is January (average temperature 33 degrees), while July is typically the hottest (average temperature 58 degrees). The average yearly rainfall in Ketchikan, Alaska is approximately 13 feet! You can check the marine forecast for our region here (NOAA Weather).

What should I bring?

• It is advisable to wear layered clothing and carry light, breathable rainwear. (Rain gear can be provided by charter boats if required.)
• Sunglasses (Indeed, the sun does make an appearance here and, even if it doesn’t, the light reflecting off the water can be quite intense)
• Sunblock.
• Bring CASH for fishing licenses or alternatively, you can purchase them online from State of Alaska. If you opt for the online purchase, DO NOT forget to carry it with you as fishing without a license is not permitted.

Should I bring my own rod and reel?  Tackle?

We supply all necessary equipment, but if you prefer to fish with your own rod and reel, feel free to bring it along.

How many salmon and halibut can we catch?

• I would encourage you to read the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations can be found on-line or at Salmon Falls Resort store.  You can download a pdf form of the Southeast Alaska regulations booklet.

King Salmon	1 per person over 28″.  Sometimes they open up Terminal areas that would allow more.
Pink Salmon	6 per person any size.
Silver (Coho) Salmon	6 per person any size.
Chum Salmon	6 per person any size.
Halibut	1 per person and they must be 38″ and under or 80″ and over, nothing in between.

Do you provide fish processing?

• An amazing perk is that Salmon Resort can handle all your processing needs. When we pull back to the dock with your catch you can arrange to have it processed the way you want it and have it shipped back if needed.

Will I see wildlife?

• You can expect to see wildlife like: Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Black Bears, Orcas, Humpback Whales, Sea Lions, Sea Gulls, Kingfishers, Ravens, Sitka Black Tail Deer, and more!

Why does Halibut fishing cost more than Salmon fishing?

• We have to either buy or lease a Halibut permit that allows us to keep Halibut that we caught.
  • To lease a permit for the season costs about $6,500.00 per boat.
  • To buy a permit costs around $120,000.00 to $130,000.00 per boat.
• And we also have to run further away to catch Halibut, so we burn more fuel.

Can we keep a Halibut that we catch while we’re on a Salmon charter?

• The Halibut can be retained provided it falls within the permissible size limit and the fishing vessel possesses a Halibut permit at the time of the catch.
• In the absence of a Halibut permit on the boat when the Halibut is caught, we are not allowed to retain the Halibut.

What is the cost of the fishing license for 2024

• 1 day sport fishing license $15.00
  • 1 day King Salmon stamp $15.00

A King Salmon stamp is required if you want to keep a King Salmon.  You can get your license online from the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game here, Your license needs to be printed or signed on your phone.  If it’s not signed on your phone it’s not legal and we cannot use it until it is signed. 

Can we drink alcohol on the boat?

• If you’re 21 years or above, feel free to bring along your preferred drink. We don’t supply alcohol, however, you’ll come across two alcohol shops en route to the marina. Simply ask the driver to make a stop at one of them to grab some on your way to the boat.

Is there a head (toilet) onboard?

• Yes we do have a head onboard each boat.

Do my children need to wear a live jacket on the boat?

• Kids under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket at all times on the boat.  We encourage you to have your children put the life jacket on before they go onto the dock.  There is a bin of different sizes at the top of the boat ramp.  Kids don’t float program.
• Adults are not required to wear a life jacket but if you would like to you are more then welcome to wear one.  We have lots on the boat or at the top of the ramp.

Can we stay longer than the chartered time?

• Yes as long as we do not have another charter following yours you can stay as long as you would like.
• The Captain can adjust the pricing as needed.

How many other people will you put on the boat with us?

• We will not add anyone to your charter unless you request it.
• We only run private charters because we feel it gives our customers a better experience.
• Your fishing experience with us is very important to us and want you to enjoy yourself.

Can I add or subtract people from my charter after it’s booked?

• In brief, it’s possible, but there are considerations to bear in mind:
  • Kindly inform us prior to your charter day, so we can ensure the necessary provisions are on the boat.
  • Each boat has a maximum capacity of 6 individuals.
  • If you reserve your charter for 2 individuals and later add more, your per-person cost will reduce to the prevailing rate for your group size.
  • If you’ve reserved your charter for 4 individuals and some decide not to attend, your per-person cost will likely increase based on your group size and the current rate.
  • In most instances, you won’t need to provide an additional deposit unless you require more than one boat.

Can we shorten our trip if we want to?

• We provide trips of 4 and 8 hours duration. You are free to shorten your charter, however, it’s likely that no refund will be issued.

Do you guarantee we will catch fish?

• No we do not guarantee you will catch any fish.
• We do guarantee we will do everything we can to give you the best chances in catching fish.

What are the biggest mistakes people make:

A common misconception people have is that because we’re in Alaska, the fish practically leap into the boat. This is far from the truth. There are days when we don’t catch a single fish, and there are days when we hit the jackpot. We excel in our craft and put in a lot of effort to catch fish. However, people often yank the rods too forcefully, causing the hooks to be pulled out of the fish’s mouth.

Should we get trip insurance?

• We recommend that our clients acquire travel/cancellation insurance from their travel agent or from a trustworthy online travel insurance provider, such as www.insuremytrip.com. This insurance can cover expenses related to flight cancellation and misplaced luggage, and also offer a complete refund of your fishing package in case a family emergency, personal health problem, or any other incident either disrupts your journey or stops you from visiting us.