FAQ

When is the best time to fish?

• Fishing is a year-round activity at the cove. Below is a chart that is specific for our area:

• • How do I get to the marina?

    • We are located 14.5 northwest from downtown Ketchikan. We recommend using one of the cab services or renting a car. Car rental agencies will even pick-up or drop-off cars at the marina. Info can be found on Condos page or local links page.
      

  • What will the weather be like?

    • Plan for RAIN! The Tongass National Forest is a temperate rain forest. Our coldest month is January (median temperature 33 degrees) and our warmest month is July (median temperature 58 degrees). Average annual rainfall for Ketchikan is around 13 feet! It does not rain as much at Knudson Cove as it does downtown Ketchikan but we still average around 9 feet a year. Marine forecast for our area can be checked here (NOAA Weather).
      

  • What should I bring?

    • We recommend dressing in layers and having light-weight, breathable rain gear. Charter boats provided rain gear if needed.

    • Camera

    • Sunglasses (yes, the sun does shine here and, even when it doesn't, light can be bright reflecting off water)

    • Sunscreen

    • CASH for fishing licenses or you can buy them on-line from State of Alaska

    • Our store sells bait, tackle, sunglasses, sunscreen, raingear, bug spray, sodas, bottled water, candy, chips, beer, ice... etc.
      

  • Should I bring my own rod and reel? Tackle?

    • Charters provided all gear needed.

    • We rent salmon rods and halibut rods for $10.00 per day.

      • Shimano TDR trolling rod (medium fast action) with a Penn 320 level wind reel (30lb Maxima Ultra-Green line) for salmon

      • Shakespeare Tidewater rod (heavy action) with a Penn Senator 113 reel (80lb Power Pro Line)

    • Salmon tackle box comes with leaders, swivels, hoochies, measuring tape, bait cutting guide, fillet knife, flashers and dodgers.
      

  • What are the limits?

    • State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations can be found on-line or at the marina store. You can even download a pdf form of the Southeast Alaska regulations booklet. Any emergency orders are posted at the marina.
      

  • Do you provide processing?

    • Gateway Smokehouse provides processing with daily pick ups at the marina. All cruise ship charters have this option.

    • Guests wanting to do their own processing: We have a cleaning table, commercial vacuum packer, walk-in freezer and sell wet-lock fish boxes.

    • Frozen fish in a wet-lock box stay frozen for several hours (freezer is set at -10). A majority of our guests take fish back as luggage and have no issues with fish thawing out

    • You can also arrange for FED-EX to pick up fish and have it sent overnight.
      

  • Is it okay to feed the ducks?

    • YES! We have several mallards that live in the marina and we encourage people to feed them. The ducks are our pets and quite often you will see them wading behind a charter boat... waiting for any left over crackers or cookies.
      

  • Will I see wildlife?

    • Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Black Bears, Orcas, Humpback Whales, Sea Lions, Sea Gulls, Kingfishers, Ravens, Sitka Black Tail Deer... you never know what you might see!
      

  • What else is there to do besides fishing?

    • Rent a skiff to look for wildlife or go to Naha Bay for a picnic

    • Rent a single or tandem kayak to paddle around Clover Pass.

    • Take a hike! Great trails a Settler's Cove and Lunch Creek.

    • See totem poles at Totem Bight State Park or Saxman Native village.

    • Take a float plane trip to Misty Fjords National Monument. You can even arrange for the floatplane to pick you up at our dock

    • Visit downtown Ketchikan. Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Historic Creek Street, Tongass Historical Museum, restaurants and shopping.

    • Ask our staff while here about activities and/or check out Ketchikan Visitors Bureau site.