Four salmon species move through Ketchikan over a season, but two of them headline most trips. King (Chinook) salmon and coho (silver) salmon are both magnificent fish, and they offer noticeably different experiences on the end of a line. Knowing the difference helps you pick your dates.
Kings: the heavyweight prize
Kings are the largest salmon in these waters and the fish people plan whole trips around. They pull with a deep, stubborn power, and bringing a good one to the net is a story you keep. They are also the most carefully regulated salmon here. King fishing comes with its own stamp on your Alaska license, and rules can shift during a season, so current regulations always live with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Kings lead the early season, and June is their showcase month out of Ketchikan.
Coho: the acrobats
Coho are built differently. Aggressive, acrobatic, and quick to hit trolled gear, they are a favorite of many guests and a great fish for learning how good trolling can feel. What they give up to kings in size they pay back in action. The full coho run arrives late in the season, which is the main reason September stays a serious fishing month here after the summer crowds thin out.
Same trip, different guest of honor
The good news is that you fish for both the same way. Trolling covers kings and coho alike, the boat and all the gear are identical, and Captain Jim has spent twenty years learning how salmon move through this water. Which one headlines your day is mostly a question of timing. Kings early, coho late, and a stretch in between where the mix can go several ways, with pinks and chums adding steady action. The salmon fishing page covers the whole cast.
- Dream of the biggest salmon of your life? Aim early season and think kings.
- Want fast action and airborne fish? Late season coho are your month.
- Dates already fixed? Send them over and we’ll tell you plainly which salmon your week favors. The seasons page has the broader picture.
Either way, the fight is all yours. The rods, tackle, and bait are already on the boat, and the coaching comes free with the captain.
King and coho quick answers
When is king salmon season in Ketchikan?
Kings lead the early season, with June their showcase month here. Exact timing and regulations shift year to year, so check ADF&G for current rules and ask us about your specific dates.
When do coho arrive in Ketchikan?
The full coho run arrives late in the season, and September is the month built around it. Earlier coho can show in the late-summer mix, which is a question your dates answer best.
Do you fish for kings and coho differently?
The technique is the same, trolling, and the boat and gear are identical. The differences you feel are in the fish: deep stubborn power from a king, speed and acrobatics from a coho.