Experience Alaska Like Never Before at Light Island Lodge

For anglers who want more than just a day trip, Light Island Lodge offers an all-inclusive fishing experience in the heart of Southeast Alaska.

Located in pristine waters near Ketchikan, Light Island Lodge combines world-class fishing with the comfort and hospitality of a private Alaskan retreat.

All-Inclusive Fishing Adventure

At Light Island Lodge, your trip includes:

  • Guided daily fishing excursions
  • Comfortable waterfront accommodations
  • Fish processing and packaging options
  • Personalized service

It’s fishing without the hassle.

Prime Access to Productive Waters

Our location puts you minutes from some of the most productive fishing grounds in Alaska. That means less travel time — and more time with lines in the water.

Depending on the season, guests can target:

  • Trophy King Salmon (May–June)
  • Aggressive Silver Salmon (July–September)
  • Massive Pacific Halibut
  • Lingcod and RockfishPacific codCrab and spot prawn shrimp 

Beyond the Fishing

Guests often spot:

  • Humpback whales
  • Orcas
  • Bald eagles
  • Seals and sea lions

The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile. The fishing makes it unforgettable.

Light Island Lodge is ideal for:

  • Bucket-list anglers
  • Corporate retreats
  • Family fishing vacations
  • Groups wanting a private, high-end Alaskan experience

If you’re looking for more than a charter — if you want a complete Alaskan fishing adventure — Light Island Lodge delivers.

Day Charter or Full Lodge Experience: Which Ketchikan Fishing Trip Is Right for You?

Planning a fishing trip to Ketchikan but not sure whether to book a day charter or an all-inclusive lodge stay?

Here’s how to decide between Fish Finder Charters and Light Island Lodge.

Choose Fish Finder Charters If You:

  • Are visiting on a cruise
  • Have limited time in Ketchikan
  • Want a half-day or full-day guided trip
  • Prefer flexibility with scheduling

Fish Finder Charters is perfect for visitors who want maximum fishing action in a short amount of time.

Choose Light Island Lodge If You:

  • Want a multi-day immersive fishing trip
  • Prefer an all-inclusive experience
  • Enjoy private accommodations booked only to your group 
  • Are planning a bucket-list Alaska adventure

The lodge experience offers deeper access to remote waters and the chance to truly unplug.

The Best Part?

Both experiences are led by seasoned professionals who understand Ketchikan’s waters inside and out.

Whether you’re fishing for a few hours or a few days, you’re getting premier access to one of the best fisheries in the world.

Why Fish Finder Charters Is a Top Choice for Ketchikan Salmon & Halibut Fishing

When it comes to fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska, experience matters. At Fish Finder Charters, we combine local knowledge, proven fishing techniques, and first-class customer service to deliver unforgettable days on the water.

The Advantage of Local Expertise

Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World for a reason. The nutrient-rich waters of the Inside Passage create prime habitat for:

  • King (Chinook) Salmon
  • Silver (Coho) Salmon
  • Pink & Chum Salmon
  • Pacific Halibut
  • Lingcod & RockfishCrab & spot prawn shrimpPacific cod

But knowing where fish can be and knowing where they are are two different things.

Our captains track tides, bait movement, and seasonal migration patterns daily. That means more hook-ups, more action, and better chances at landing trophy fish.

Calm Waters, Big Fish

One of the biggest advantages of fishing with Fish Finder Charters in Ketchikan is access to protected Inside Passage waters. Unlike many exposed coastal fisheries, our waters are typically calmer — making the trip comfortable for:

  • Families
  • First-time anglers
  • Corporate groups
  • Serious sport fishermen

Full-Service Experience

We provide:

  • Top-quality rods and tackle 
  • Vacuum sealing & processing options
  • Guidance for shipping your catch home

You focus on the fight. We handle the rest.

If you’re planning a fishing trip in Ketchikan, Fish Finder Charters delivers the kind of Alaskan experience people talk about for years.

What to Expect on Your First Ketchikan Fishing Charter

Never fished in Alaska before? Here’s exactly what your day might look like.

Step 1: Meet at the Dock

Your captain will greet you at the marina, go over safety instructions, and provide all necessary gear. No experience required — beginners are welcome.

Step 2: Head to the Fishing Grounds

Within minutes, you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery. The Inside Passage offers relatively calm waters, making it comfortable even for first-timers.

Keep your eyes open — whale sightings aren’t uncommon.

Step 3: Lines In!

Your captain will:

  • Set you up with the right bait or lures
  • Help you drop to the correct depth
  • Coach you through hook-ups

When a salmon hits, you’ll know it. The fight is fast and exciting.

Step 4: Celebrate & Repeat

After landing your catch, your captain will bleed and ice the fish to preserve quality. Many charters also offer vacuum sealing and shipping so you can enjoy your catch back home.

What Should You Bring?

  • Rain jacket (this is Alaska!)
  • Non-slip shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Motion sickness remedy (if needed)

Everything else is provided.

Why Guests Keep Coming Back

It’s not just about the fish. It’s the memories:

  • Eagles soaring overhead
  • The rush of a powerful salmon run
  • Sharing the experience with family and friends

A Ketchikan fishing charter isn’t just a tour — it’s an Alaskan adventure.

Ketchikan Spring Fishing Update: Gearing Up for King Salmon Season!

It’s been a great spring so far! Halibut, cod, rockfish, lingcod, steelhead, crab, shrimp, squid and plenty of wildlife to see along the way. Found where there’s a healthy biomass of bottom fish and also places they aren’t which is almost as important. Now that we have them patterned it’s time to look forward to king salmon opening for retention on June 1st! I can’t wait to chase the kings! The 2025 Ketchikan fishing season is about to be in full swing!

Promising Start to the 2024 Fishing Season in Ketchikan!

The salmon and halibut fishing in Ketchikan has started out great! We’ve been out scouting and making sure the fish are where they should be, we have found some area with very productive bottoms, lots of halibut and pacific cod, even a few black cod as well. Salmon fishing in Ketchikan opened on June 1st, we went out and found one on the first pass and it continued from there. Fishing in Ketchikan is looking great for the 2024 season!

Things are Looking Great!

Got the boat in the water yesterday and headed right out to start scouting for halibut. The first place we anchored up was just like it’s supposed to be this time of year. Picked up 4 perfect sized halibut quickly and then jigged up a couple rock fish on the way back to the dock. Took the family out today for a couple of hours to check another halibut hole and had to move once to get on the fish but the move paid off and we found some nice halibut and a few more rockfish. It pays off to do some pre season scouting to make sure we are on top of the fish before clients show up! The 2022 fishing season is about to kick off here in Ketchikan and things are looking great!

September Cohos

The fall cohos that return to the streams around Ketchikan in august and September are some of the biggest in the world. They are a hard fighting acrobatic salmon. They average 8-20 pounds with many in the high teens! Halibut fishing is still great in august and September. If you’re looking to catch a trophy sized coho (silver) august and September is the time to plan a fishing trip to Ketchikan Alaska!

Peak of the best Silver fall silver fishing in Alaska

The second half of august through september in Ketchikan is the peak of the best silver fall silver fishing in Alaska. The silvers (coho) salmon in September are some of the biggest in the world with lots of fish over the 15 pound mark and a handful a year pushing 20 pounds. They are hard fighting acrobatic fish. The halibut fishing is also still great this time of year. If you’re looking for big hard fighting silvers august and September is the time to come fishing in Ketchikan Alaska!