Alaska Cruise Ship Fishing Excursions - Best Ports To Fish On Alaska Cruise

Alaska cruise ship visitors enjoy a variety of excursion options in each port. In this article we will discuss the best ports to enjoy fishing excursions and why. For one, cruise ship guests have the opportunity to fish world class scenic waters for a variety of species in Alaska. Furthermore, fishing in Alaska is iconic in many senses based on the fact of phenomenal fishing, unparalleled wildlife viewing, and customizable trip options to suit each visitor's port times. This combination of factors makes Alaska cruise fishing excursions a must do when visiting Alaska on a cruise ship.

Typically the large majority of Alaska cruise itineraries will have ships visiting multiple ports in Southeast Alaska including Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Skagway. Extended cruise itineraries may also include Seward, Anchorage and or Haines. Therefore, based on your cruise ship's specific itinerary you’ll be provided the opportunity to fish in one or multiple ports. While there may be fishing extrusions available in most port stops, we will discuss the absolute best ports for Alaska cruise fishing excursions.

The biggest factors when choosing a Alaska cruise fishing excursion is based on quality of fishing, typical ocean conditions, and trip times to suit visitors. Therefore, in the summary below we'll go in depth into why locations near open ocean entrances provide such a better fishing experience than those that aren't. Secondly, as some destinations are catering more to cruise visitors do providers offer trips that fit cruisers port times. Lastly, what guests can expect at the different locations in terms of sea conditions and overall experience. This ranking system will give you a great idea into how to plan your fishing excursions during your Alaska cruise.

Best Alaska Cruise Ports for Fishing Excursions

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan ranks as the number one choice on our list for the best fishing excursions on an Alaska cruise. In addition, Ketchikan is by far one of the most popular ports on any Alaska cruise due to its geographical location, infrastructure and variety of offered experiences. Meaning chances are you will most likely visit Ketchikan on your Alaska cruise. For these reasons, we will provide valuable information to plan your Alaska cruise fishing excursion in Ketchikan.

When visiting Ketchikan, guests can expect a variety of fishing excursions to suit their group's individual needs. These options include easy pickup and drop off from the downtown cruise ship ports. Not to mention you can select multiple trip types based on the type of species you want to catch and total trip duration. For cruise ship visitors, the most popular options are the 4 hour salmon/ halibut trips or the 5 hour combination trips. Both of the above mentioned options are available as private charters tailored to your group. Some options are also provided through cruise ship sponsored shared group trips, as we will discuss more below.

The benefits of fishing excursions in Ketchikan include calm scenic waters, a variety of species to target, and family friendly experiences. This combination of factors make it user friendly for all cruise ship visitors to participate in a user friendly excursion. Not to mention, the quick run times to the fishing grounds from the downtown ports make it a breeze to access the richest feeding grounds. So when planning your fishing excursions on your Alaska cruise make sure to put Ketchikan on the top of the list.

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is another phenomenal cruise ship port to embark on Alaska fishing excursions. Less frequently visited than Ketchikan, Sitka still holds the same world class fishing opportunities. Here charter providers similarly offer 4-6 hour cruise ship fishing excursions tailored to visitors. Geographically situated near the open ocean Sitka also offers great chances at catching both halibut, salmon and rockfish.

Salmon fishing and halibut fishing in Sitka is a great option for cruise visitors. Select providers also offer pickup and drop off from the cruise ship location. This makes it seamless to transition from your ship directly onto the nearby waiting charter boats. This feature alone is something to keep in mind to save time and money from taxis and shuttles. So make sure when booking any Alaska fishing excursion these boat to boat services are provided.

Seward, Alaska

Home to the reputation as the, “Halibut Capital Of The World”. Fishing in Seward means you have a chance at not only catching a giant halibut, but also on certain days, being able to retain that big fish. Due to the regional halibut regulations, Seward anglers can keep two halibut a day with two days of the week closed for halibut retention. So make sure when booking, you inquire about your opportunities, as well as being able to have your catch processed and shipped.

Cruise ship visitors stopping in Seward are typically on a longer duration cruise anywhere from one to two weeks. This equates in being able to visit further geographic locations versus the most popular itineraries that consist of Southeast Alaska. If you are lucky enough to visit Seward then put a fishing excursion at the top of your list. The one drawback would be the open ocean swells where the fishing grounds are located. Guests can expect top notch Alaska fishing, but know there will be a chance of rolling seas. Meaning Take your seasick precautionary measures and be prepared to have a great time!

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau shares a similar itinerary to Ketchikan as one of the most visited cruise ship ports on any Alaska cruise itinerary. So chances are if you're touring Southeast Alaska on a cruise you’re most likely to stop in Juneau. Fishing excursions in Juneau while offered in both halibut and salmon are less productive then the other options listed above. This is solely due to the geographic location of the inside passage and being further from open ocean entrances where the fishing is best. So understand this most likely comes with calm water opportunities it typically will be less productive and bountiful than the options listed above.

Salmon fishing options included in Juneau would be one of the more popular options for cruise visitors. I mean it makes sense! If you’re coming to Alaska you should definitely head out to try salmon fishing and wildlife viewing. Not to mention, operators in Juneau have similar processing and shipping options available as do the other ports mentioned.

Cruise Ship Sponsored Fishing Excursions: What You Need To Know

Detailed below are some key factors to understand when booking a cruise ship fishing excursion in Alaska. Firstly, cruise ship sponsored options provide flexible options for single angler wanting to join a shared charter. While this helps guests keep the cost down, they are still paying above market value for their ticket price. This is a result of cruise ship facilitators having to mark the product up to make commissions on sales. Secondly, it’s worth being aware, if you are booking through the cruise ships, you can expect to be on vessels where the persons loads are maxed out in combination with providing limiting options of species to target. Lastly, some of the cruise offered trips will require guests to take transportation to and from the harbors where the charter boats are located. The benefit is one could see more of Alaska by way of vehicle, with the drawback being less time on the water. Just a few things to note for your deliberations when booking these various fishing excursion options.

Ketchikan Fishing Excursions - What To Expect

Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” offers many unique experiences highlighted on most Alaska cruise itineraries. We ranked Ketchikan as the top destination to fish on any Alaska cruise. This was a result of having a variety of fishing options including salmon, halibut, and rockfish. Not to mention, these fishing excursions double for wildlife viewing and whale watching. Resulting in a combination of family friendly calm scenic waters, incredible fishing and the options to have your catch processed and shipped home. So if Ketchikan is included on your Alaska cruise itinerary, then that’s definitely the port you want to book an Alaska fishing excursion.

Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters - Most Popular Alaska Cruise Ship Fishing Excursions

As the premiere provider of Alaska cruise ship fishing excursions, Ketchikan’s Finest Fishing Charters make it easy for you to experience the best of Alaska during your visit to Ketchikan. With guaranteed on time pickup and drop off from downtown cruise ship ports, we have times to fit all visitors. In addition, we provide the ease for our guests to walk off the cruise ship and onto your private charter boat. This means less time wasted in transit and more time on the water!

Book one of our family friendly Alaska fishing excursions built with cruise ship visitors in mind. Select the most popular Alaska cruise ship fishing excursions in either the 4 hour salmon/ halibut trip or the 5 hour salmon and halibut combination. These excursion options offer unparalleled premium quality experience with expert guides, top notch equipment and includes whale watching and wildlife viewing. Enjoy the scenic waters abound while you’re reeling in memorable catches with your closest family and friends. In addition, we offer the option to have your Alaska catch processed and shipped home to enjoy with friends.

Contact Ketchikan's Finest Fishing Charters to Book or Learn More

About the Author

I'm Captain Lukas, owner and operator of Ketchikan's Finest Fishing Charters & Ketchikan Fishing Company. Our team of captains have spent decades guiding both professional and novice anglers all over the world. From Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Fiji, and the Bahamas but every spring, when May and June roll in, this fishery is where we want to be more than anywhere else in the world.

Each summer we dedicate our season to running the best Alaska fishing charters for halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish, and Pacific cod. Spending countless hours watching tides, bait movement, and patterns that turn good fishing days into great ones. Our expert captains approach is simple: clear instruction, hands-on guidance, and putting people on fish they’ll never forget catching.

Whether you’re stepping onto the deck for the first time or you’ve been reeling fish your whole life, we’ll make sure you learn, laugh, and leave with something to take home. Cod fishing in Ketchikan is one of the most rewarding early-summer experiences I know and we’d be glad to share it with you.