Some of Alaska’s best fishing is on and around Prince of Wales Island. The mix of species in salt water and fresh water makes this place the serious angler’s gotta-go destination.
Ocean and FreshWater
Salmon are our most celebrated fish, but anglers’ targets range widely, from halibut hundreds of feet down in ocean depths to trout in high-mountain lakes.
No matter where you fish, you’re wetting your hooks in clean, cold, fish-rich water. All five species of Pacific Ocean salmon are available during spring and summer. Halibut lurk in cold, deep waters around the island; flatfish at 150 pounds or greater are caught here, but fish in the 20- to 50-pound range are easier to land and make for better eating. Red snapper and several species of cod also await those who fish deep.
Charter skippers can set you up with saltwater day trips. Lodges with fishing guides offer several-day packages. Lodging styles range from world-class plush to down-home rustic. Experienced guides can take you trolling for big king salmon offshore or flyfishing for salmon and trout on clear island streams.
Do-it-yourselfers can reach good fishing on salt water or inland fresh water off the extensive road network. Lakes offer good fishing for cutthroat trout, salmon and Dolly Varden. Some lakes are near roads; others are accessible by floatplane, boat or on foot above ocean estuaries. Dime-bright steelhead run into streams in early spring and fall. Dolly Varden and rainbow trout also make their way into rivers and creeks. Dungeness crabs are found all over Southeast Alaska. These delicious crustaceans are harvested in crab pots by those with fishing licenses.
Plan your trip around the times of year fish of different types are more plentiful. No matter what time of year you come, you're bound to have a great time and go home with a box full of fish!
King salmon can be caught throughout the year, but the best time to land them and other species of salmon are June through September. Halibut, ling-cod and rock fish can be caught throughout the year and are plentiful. Don't forget about the crab and shrimp - dungeness crab and spot shrimp make a great addition to every fish box!
If you’re a guest at a full-service lodge, your catch can be cleaned and packaged for you to take home. Do-it yourselfers fishing independently or with guides can get waxed, insulated fish boxes from local stores or lodges and pack their chilled fish to ship as checked baggage.
Fishing licenses are available from sporting goods stores, fuel sellers, some lodges and online at www.admin.adfg. state.ak.us/license.
Most communities around the island have public docks at which boats can be launched. Coffman Cove has public floats. Craig has three harbors with more than 200 slips; vessels to 125 feet can be accommodated. Services include water; power; waste/oil disposal; restrooms; and showers. The office is staffed daily and monitors VHF 16. False Island has a ramp. Hollis has small public floats. Hydaburg has state public floats and moorage. Kasaan has public floats. Klawock harbor has float moorage and a boat grid. Naukati Bay has a public float installed by the state. Point Baker and Port Protection have small state-maintained floats. Thorne Bay’s two harbors have transient slips and boat launches. Services include water; power; waste/oil disposal; restrooms; showers; Wi-Fi; and a boat grid. Staff monitor VHF 16. Whale Pass moorage is private.
Dungeness are delicious
guided and solo excursions
Whether you want to be taken out on a guided charter or chart your own course, there are many options available!
Quality Charters in beautiful Thorne Bay, Alaska. Book today for an experience of a lifetime fishing for halibut, salmon, ling cod, and/or shrimping, crabbing, whale
Sports Lodge - full service
Storage units, secured parking, furnished room, and suite rental, apartment.
Available nightly and located in the middle of Craig. Fully furnished 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, complete kitchen for cooking on your own. WiFi and
We provide water taxi service between Wrangell, Coffman Cove, Whale Pass; and Petersburg (via Banana Point) as well as tours and transports to LeConte Glacier,
Experience Alaska with a personal touch! All-inclusive Charter & Self-guided packages for every season in our newly remodeled lodge in Thorne Bay. Call for details
Hotel and cabin accommodations; boat storage; trailer court space rentals; office space rentals; commercial rock sales.
Emerald Island Adventures provides custom, affordable, private boat tours out of Craig. Join us for a chance to see whales, sea otters, seals, sea birds,
Saltwater Sportsman Magazine announced the “Twenty Greatest Fishing Spots on Earth,” and Waterfall Resort as the lodge of choice. In 2022, we celebrate 40 years
POW Excursion Outfitter rents ocean fishing boats and many other types of rugged outdoor equipment for the Do-It-Yourself Island resident or visitor.
Full-service fishing & lodging. Freshwater, saltwater, and waterfowl charters. Also offering cave tours, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. Lodging and meals also available.
Fishing charters for salmon, halibut, bottom fish from May through September. Lodging for up to thirty guests. Twenty years in business with very experienced and
Charter fishing on 32-foot catamaran with head and heat; 3-day to 5-day packages. Lodge has three bedrooms with private baths, double occupancy.
Come enjoy a day with Alaska naturalist salmon cannery historian, member of Alaska Historical Society, and whale watching enthusiast Kathy Peavey on her 22-foot heated
Now offering NEW lodging options for 2021. Hollis cabin has 2-bedrooms, sleeps 5. All three Craig apartments are fully-furnished including W/D, linens/towels, pots/pans, and dishes.
Best view on the bay. Private waterfront two-bedroom, furnished guest house with woodstove and Satellite Internet & TV. Includes skiff, vehicle, and ocean rods for
Cabin, cottage, boat, & car rentals. Economy & luxury accommodations available. Nightly, weekly, & monthly rates available.
Full-service fishing lodge, family-run. Three-day packages starting at $2,750 includes round-trip airfare from Ketchikan International Airport to Craig. 32-foot walk around boats.
The only full-service fishing resort. 10 boats, kayaks, recreational facilities, spa and fitness room.
Guided and self-guided fishing, ADFG licensed/USCG credentialed. Westside Wadleigh Island: beautiful, private lodge, 2 cabins plus sauna. All meals. Could be yours exclusively: min. 8
Luxury waterfront lodging in Craig, Alaska. Enjoy one of our three guestrooms all with private baths, phone, DIRECTV, Wi-Fi, and homemade buffet style breakfast. Charter
Coffman Cove Lodging offers you accommodations, home cooked meals along with 16’ Lund’s, and 20’ & 22’ Hewescraft’s, and Jetcraft for rent. Private rooms available.
Coffman Cove Adventures offers full-service self-guided packages for fishing, hunting, and sightseeing. Weeklong rates include accommodations, meals, vehicle and boat rentals.
Packages including: cottages, boats, vehicles, saltwater charters, or guided stream fishing. Our facilities include: tackle store, hot tub, freezers, canoes, laundry, and more. Serving POW
The Craig/Klawock Fishing derbies help the hatchery produce fish. Salmon anglers and ticket buyers who never wet a hook can win in the annual Craig-Klawock King Salmon Derby. Ticket sales spin off cash and help to fund Port St. Nicholas Hatchery near Craig. The derby is split into two contests, May 1-June 30 and July 1-Aug. 15. Monthly prizes range from $2,000 for the biggest fish to $500 for third place. Every ticket is entered into a drawing for a $10,000 prize. The drawing is at the annual dinner in mid-August; winners need not be present. Tickets are $35 each or $100 per family and are good for both derbies. Get them at AC Thompson House; Alaska Gifts; Black Bear Store; Davies-Barry Insurance; J.T. Brown’s Store; Log Cabin Sporting Goods; Petro Marine Services; and the Prince of Wales Chamber of Commerce. Some lodges have tickets.
Check out the events calendar for fishing derbies in other island communities including Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, and Hydaburg.
