July sits in the heart of the Ketchikan charter season. Salmon runs are in full swing, bottom fishing is dependable, and the weather is at its most cooperative. It is our busiest month, and the dates go earliest. If July is your window, most of the planning advice in this article is really about timing your reservation.
Everything is in play
Trolling for salmon carries most July trips, with runs in full swing through the month. Bottom fishing is dependable at the same time, so halibut, lingcod, and rockfish can round out the same day. That mix makes July a natural month for a salmon and halibut combo, since both halves of the trip are working.
Exactly which salmon are moving changes week to week and year to year. Kings, coho, pinks, and chums all pass through Ketchikan over a season. Send Captain Jim your dates and you’ll get a plain answer for those weeks, since matching trips to dates is a big part of his job.
The most cooperative weather of the year
It rains in Ketchikan in every month, and a dry week is never guaranteed. July simply gives you the best odds on the calendar of calm, comfortable days on the water. Jim’s standing advice still applies. Plan more than one fishing day, three if you can, so a single rough day does not decide the whole trip.
Here on a cruise ship?
Midsummer is also the height of the cruise calendar, and July port stops put you in Ketchikan at the season’s peak. Fishing during a stop takes a little math, since shore time, travel, and fishing hours all have to fit inside the same window. The cruise ship fishing page walks through how that works.
Booking July
July fills earliest of the whole season, and full days go first. If you know your week, send it now, even if it feels early. And if your July is already spoken for by the time you ask, do not write the trip off. June brings kings and the longest days of the year, September brings a full run of coho (silver) salmon, and both are easier to book.
Pricing and trip options are on the rates page. When you’re ready, send us your dates and we’ll take it from there.
Common July questions
How far ahead should you book a July charter?
As early as you can, and winter is not too soon. July fills first of the whole season, full days go before half days, and it is easier to fit flights to a confirmed boat than the other way around.
What salmon are running in Ketchikan in July?
Runs are in full swing, and the specific mix shifts week to week and year to year across kings, coho, pinks, and chums. Send your dates and you’ll get an answer built for that week rather than a generic chart.
Is July good for halibut fishing too?
Yes. Bottom fishing is dependable through the month, with halibut, lingcod, and rockfish all working, which is exactly why the salmon and halibut combo fishes so well in July.