baranof fishing excursions reviews

Baranof Fishing Excursions

Review Highlights

“ We booked a private charter with Baranof (instead of book through the cruise ship) and we had an amazing time!! ” in 3 reviews

“ When nature called we were driven to a charming, quiet island where other Baranof tours cook their catch . ” in 5 reviews

“ We got there on our cruise ship , and we were taken right to our boat that we were fishing on. ” in 4 reviews

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3 Salmon Lndg

Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Baranof Fishing Excursions are perfect for visitors stopping by cruise ship for the day, or guests staying in Ketchikan and looking for an authentic multi-day sportfishing vacation. Whether you are traveling with a party of two or twenty, we can guide you to some of Alaska’s best fishing. We love introducing guests to the Alaskan way of life, and take great pride in creating custom fishing adventures for everyone! …

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I did the Alaska Fishing & Wilderness Dining excursion with Captain Jonathan in mid-September, and it was the absolute highlight of my two weeks in Alaska. If you do one thing in Alaska, MAKE IT THIS. Our party of 5 was outfitted head to toe, and captain Jonathan was spot on in his explanations, helping a boat full of amateurs understand not only what we were fishing for, but why we were using the equipment we did to do so. The fish were fortunately biting in just the second spot we hit, and we pulled up enough rockfish for lunch just in our first half hour. After about an hour of successfully chasing more rockfish, Jonathan took us for the real fun: trolling for salmon. We had several hits, and pulled in four cohos, ten pounds each at least! Maybe the best part was that Jonathan seemed to be having as much fun with it as we were. He gave great instructions and encouragement, and it couldn't have felt like a more successful day on the water. Lunch was somehow the even better, even in spite of the catches themselves. Captain Jonathan happily took pictures for and with the group, and explained more about our fish as he skillfully filleted them and delivered them to Scott, our chef. The campfires we sat around provided the perfect ambience, and the other captains were all friendly and helpful as well. Jonathan brought lunch to us once it was prepared, and shared stories of his and his wife's adventures as we ate. The food was incredible--Scott cooked our rockfish and salmon perfectly, and paired it with a cioppino base that was absolutely incredible, and followed by an excellent rhubarb-berry crumble. I've literally never had a better-tasting meal anywhere in the world. This was, hands-down, the best experience I had during two weeks in Alaska. I'd recommend it to anyone that doesn't get seasick easily and has no dietary issues with fish.

Went out today with captain James. He was a great guide who went above and beyond for us. Put us on some great catches. Wonderful hospitality very respectful and most helpful. We caught a variety of fish. It was an awesome day would highly recommend and look forward to coming back again and fishing with him again.

We got there on our cruise ship, and we were taken right to our boat that we were fishing on. Conner walked us through the safety education, and we went fishing. They have nice, solid covered boats. It's not overcrowded. We all caught our limits within a few hours. My wife and I loved how Conner is knowledgeable of local fishing conditions. Once we all caught our halibut, we still had time. He brought us to catch and release rock fish. We saw eagles scooping out fish around us. We saw humpback whales. We had so much fun and we highly recommend them!

These is the group that when with Capt. Conner (AKA Big Tuna)

Me and my wife!

We flew into Ketchikan yesterday .We decided to try something new this time and stay at Cape Fox Lodge and use Baranof Fishing for our fishing tours. It was definitely easier since it's in Ketchikan. It doesn't take long to get to your fishing ground. It's six hours fishing and they have several packages. We bought two days of fishing. Our first day has gone great and we caught lots of cod and halibut. The boats are good and we got a great guide named Trent. Today was our second day and it was also great. It wonderful to be able to go out nightly in Ketchikan and be able to eat at different restaurants. This worked out well for our family and we have already booked another trip. We highly recommend Baranof Fishing for their boats and guides and excellent customer service we will be back soon.

See all photos from Chris S. for Baranof Fishing Excursions

We booked this while we are on a cruise this past week. We did not Go through the ship and booked directly with them. I will say, This was one of the best times I had on any fishing trip. Also I learned how to improve my fishing skills thanks to Steve and Hunter (His awesome dog). The Lunch on the island cooked by Audrey with the assistance of Jamie was amazing. This is a must do trip. To top it all off. Steve provided lunch to the eagle. Most amazing. The picture really does. It Do it justice. We will be back!!! Thank you fo an awesome day

See all photos from Tom B. for Baranof Fishing Excursions

Great experience with several species of fish caught! Sam was a great guide and it helps he was local. This young man was very respectful as well for the environment. We enjoyed the 70 plus fish caught and an great meal!

Fantastic experience, came here off of the Norwegian Bliss and our first stop going through Alaska. Had Sam, first year guide, and what a treat knowing this area was basically his backyard growing up. He brought us to the best fishing spots where I immediately caught myself a nice 32" lingcod, and my boyfriend a nice sized yellow fin. The rest of the trip was bringing in more but the pressure was off in catching our part of the meal coming up so we got to do a little bit of every thing. We booked this excursion directly with the company, bypassing the cruise which worked out perfect. It was just my boyfriend and I with the guide so really had a nice personable experience, for much cheaper!

See all photos from Dina Y. for Baranof Fishing Excursions

In 2019 we fished with Baranof and had a great time so we booked again. We booked a salmon fishing excursion and even bought the fishing licenses to include salmon. Our guide took us halibut fishing, stating that it was late in the season for salmon. Our friends onboard our cruise limited out on salmon within their first hour of fishing with a different charter. Super disappointed in our very expensive boat ride.

Had a great time going fishing with Captain James! The rain and colder weather wasn't even an issue cause we had success and great time. Booked our fishing trip as part of our cruise excursion. Would highly recommend Captain James!

We went thru the Holland America Cruise ship, and although it was a bit misleading (we thought it was specific to salmon/halibut) we had an EXCELLENT time. Captain Colin was super chill, we had a gourmet style meal on the beach after we all caught rockfish (very quickly I might add) so he gave us the added bonus of trying for salmon and caught a baby king AND had a humpy/pink that got away that was probably about 16 inches. Solid time, great service, lots of fun, and the meal on the beach where they cook your catch live was truly a uniquely Alaskan experience. Highly recommend this charter!

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Over the Top! - Baranof Fishing Excursions

• United States    
• Alaska (AK)    
• Ketchikan    
• Ketchikan - Attractions    
• Baranof Fishing Excursions

What a great day fishing!! The expert guide, James, outfitted us in waterproof coveralls... read more

This was one of our favorite excursions while visiting Alaska. Captain James was amazing! He made... read more

Over the Top!

We had a family cruise with 22 people to Alaska. I knew that 5 or 6 would really enjoy fishing out of Ketchikan so I researched options. I must say that Baranof provided a trip that far surpassed our expectations. To limit on salmon and halibut in just 4 hours was the highlight of the trip. We will be returning for a trip in the future!!

Baranof made this a very memorable fishing experience for my husband and daughter. They had an amazing experience catching, halibut, salmon, and rock fish. When they got back to the dock the capitan made it a hassle free experience to ship the fish they caught back home. The fish was packed perfectly and vacumned sealed to protect it. We had plenty of fish to share with family and neighbors. I must say it was the best salmon they had ever tasted. This was defintely the best part of our trip. Thank your Baranof for the amazing experience.

We have been fishing with them twice and both trips were amazing. Fantastic guides, fishing, food etc...

Four of us had a great fishing experience with Peggy Hovik. She took us to various spots so all of us were able to catch fish. She's knowledgeable & handles the boat like the pro that she is. After fishing we went to their private camp for a wonderful lunch prepared by the crew. It's pretty cool to sit by a campfire enjoying your own fresh catch. Number one activity on our Alaskan adventure!!

My husband and I went on the Halibut Hunting excursion while in dock from our cruise in Ketchikan. Although the weather was cold, we layered, and barely realized how cold it was (as well as rain), as we were having the time of our lives. We went out with our captain Chris, as well as one other couple, and we all caught fish (I was the only one who didn't get a halibut, but became the rock fish queen). Not only did we have a great time fishing, but we saw numerous Orca whales (one which came up right by the boat!), and Chris enticed a few eagles with some of the rock fish we caught, to get some great photos. This probably was the fastest 6 hours I had ever spent, as we all had such a great time. They also provide a box lunch of salmon salad sandwiches, chips, and homemade cookies, as well as water and soda. We also had our fish flash frozen and shipped home for us on a date of our choice. We have been home a week and have already enjoyed an Alaskan halibut meal! Definitely the highlight of our cruise.

The fishing tour with camp dining was awesome. We thoroughly enjoyed the fishing but the dining experience was just as much fun. Our captain was patient and very fun loving. The camp cooks were so personable and kind. The sights were amazing. It's a "must do" in Ketchikan.

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Baranof Fishing Excursions - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Go Fishing Today!

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   Traveler Guidance for Visiting Alaska in 2023

Choose Your

Fishing Excursions

Overnight lodging & fishing packages, what will be your alaskan experience.

We challenge you to not just enjoy a classic Alaskan fishing adventure, but to set aside your evenings for dining on a portion of your fresh catch along with an Alaskan craft beer. Consider connecting with our wilderness whether it is hiking or kayaking. Our happiest clients embrace all that Ketchikan has to offer.

• Fishing / Dining

Alaska Fishing Excursions

Learn Alaska fishing techniques, Alaska sport fishing explained, choose an Alaskan guide, discover how best to cook your catch, and craft the perfect fishing vacation.

• ALL EXCURSIONS

Our Seafood Recipes

• Our Fisherman

Alaska Seafood

Meet the commercial fisherman of Ketchikan, learn the tricks of caring for your catch, identify fish species, and share our passion for cooking your catch.

• Discover More

• Local Trails
• Art / Music

Explore Ketchikan

Choose a hiking trail, learn about Alaskan craft beers, or kayak in wilderness fjords. Join our happiest clients in embracing the unique culture of Ketchikan.

• Start Exploring

Traditional Ketchikan Sportfishing

Ketchikan is one of the most unique and beautiful fishing locations in Alaska

For an adventure of a lifetime, travelers from all over the world choose fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska. With its remarkable landscapes, unique wildlife, and bountiful fishing locations, we have yet to meet adventurers who leave Alaska without lasting memories.

Cook Your Catch Baranof Fishing Excursions specializes in melding our unique, traditional Alaskan dining with world-class fishing. For the last 17 years, our Cook Your Catch program has provided families, couples, and solo fishermen with 5-star meals featuring the fish they catch themselves either in a private dining setting, their own homes, or at our wilderness campsite. Sport fishing in Ketchikan has been a staple of our economy for generations; when our guests’ halibut or salmon fishing trip culminates in a gourmet meal that they put on the table, the end-result is something truly remarkable.

Ketchikan Sport Fishing For guests with a limited time in town, or simply wishing to share their catch with family back home, Baranof provides a number of excellent dining-free options. Our 5-6 hour Hunting for Halibut excursion focuses on the largest flatfish in the world, while our Stalking Salmon fishing charters play to Ketchikan’s title of “Salmon Capital of the World”. We pride ourselves on offering compatible pairings with other clients who have like-minded fishing goals, so those traveling alone or in small groups can expect to have their expectations met without chartering an entire boat.

Private Charters The protected waters surrounding Ketchikan offer an enormous amount of opportunity for groups or individuals seeking an exclusive, tailor-made Southeast Alaskan experience. While most choose to incorporate fishing into their day on the water, with many opting for a private dining experience at the end, the point we stress to our private charter guests is this; it’s your family, it’s your boat, and it’s your story to tell. Whether you’d like to explore a remote beach or enjoy a personalized sightseeing trip to the Misty Fjords National monument, we enjoy raising your expectations as we plan a private charter with you – then exceeding them.

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Thanks for considering Baranof for your fishing adventure!

Exploring ketchikan info, the alaska fish house, request info, corona virus update 2.3.2023.

Even in the remote islands of Southeast Alaska, COVID-19 poses risks. The health and safety of our guests, employees, and community are our top priorities. We have put special measures in place to keep people safe on excursions:

The safety of our customers is paramount, so we’re also not going to walk away from common sense guidelines such as:

• Vaccination – We believe vaccines provide safe and effective protection against COVID-19. We strongly encourage vaccination and boosters for all employees, and the vast majority are currently vaccinated against COVID 19
• Social distance – We strive to keep groups separated as much as possible during the licensing and outfitting process, but our real strength in social distancing is based on the size of our boats. With only six passengers per vessel and one captain they spend time with, the risks of exposure are limited.
• Masking – We abide by the federal mandate for passenger vessels, masks are required for the duration of the tour while in enclosed cabins. That being said, there is quite a lot of airflow even on our hardtops which are typically open to the back deck. Masking may be required at times for vulnerable guests on a case-by-case basis.
• Stringent Cleaning – We’ve increased the frequency of disinfecting surfaces and high traffic areas such as the Alaska Fish House restaurant, bathrooms, the outfitting room, the dock, and our boats. Hand sanitizer will be available to all guests on every boat.
• Employees receive daily wellness checks to ensure they are healthy and symptom-free.
• Employees are empowered to call in sick if they show symptoms.
• If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms, we will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour free of charge.

These protocols have enabled Baranof Fishing Excursions to operate safely and successfully throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022. With your help, we intend to continue fishing safely in 2023!

Be Your Own Charter Captain with Fish Baranof

Learn More about Fish Baranof’s Sitka, Alaska Boat Rentals

Fish Baranof is your one-stop shop for self-guided saltwater fishing in Sitka, Alaska. We offer packages that include lodging, rental boats, rods, reels, tackle, downriggers, depth finder, VHF, GPS, charts, safety gear and more. If you have big water boat-driving experience and the ability to catch fish on your own, then we are the perfect solution.

Our boats are located at our private dock. Most of the fleet is comprised of 19- and 21-foot Hewescraft Sea Runners powered with Yamaha main and kicker motors and are extremely ocean-worthy, fish-catching machines. All of our guests stay local hotels and Airbnbs. Joel can help you with suggestions. Many good restaurants can be found in Sitka, including the Mean Queen in the Totem Square Hotel, so you will have ample choices of places to get a good meal after a great day on the water. Fish Baranof also provides commercial vacuum-packing machines and freezer space for anglers to package and store their fish.

Salmon and bottomfish are abundant in Sitka. Our proximity to outside waters puts us in prime location to intercept migrating salmon, and these fertile waters are home to great numbers of halibut, lingcod and many species of rockfish. Starting in May, king salmon can be caught in good numbers by trolling or mooching. Popular locations like Vitskari Rocks, St. Lazaria Islands, Biorka Island and Cape Edgecumbe often produce chunky Chinook for the fish box. As the season progresses, coho salmon arrive in fishable numbers in July and peak sometime in August. When the coho are in thick, daily limits (six per angler per day in 2020) can be caught with time left over to target bottomfish.

The Self-Guided Advantage

One of the advantages of choosing a DIY, self-guided saltwater trip in Sitka with Fish Baranof is that you are not subject to the same rules that guided anglers have to follow for the retention of halibut. In 2020, self-guided anglers could keep two halibut per day of any size, while guided halibut anglers could keep one fish per day in a reverse slot limit—either under 45 inches or over 80 inches. This is a huge advantage for DIY halibut anglers. Rockfish and lingcod populations are healthy in Sitka, so come prepared to catch some of these tasty species as well.

At Fish Baranof, we strive to provide top quality equipment, service and support. Come visit us in Sitka and enjoy a self-guided saltwater experience on your terms!

Check out this New Episode of Addicted Fishing Featuring Fish Baranof!

Be Your Own Charter Captain with our Sitka, Alaska Boat Rentals

Sitka boat rentals.

“Many anglers dream of fishing for salmon, halibut and bottomfish in Sitka’s productive waters, but don’t want to pay the high price for a typical lodge stay. If you have some big-water boating experience and dream of a DIY trip to a premier Alaskan saltwater port, Fish Baranof in Sitka, AK is for you. Located on one of the most productive saltwater ports in Alaska, I know of no better location for the DIY angler to target salmon, halibut and other bottomfish than Fish Baranof.”

-George Krumm Editor, Fish Alaska

“Fish Baranof is a top-notch company providing a great experience for people who know how to run a boat and fish already. Anglers who want to go to Alaska and experience it on their own terms can plan the perfect trip with Fish Baranof. Joel has some of the best equipment in the area for self-guided anglers and everything is conveniently located. He provides an awesome experience for his customers. The staff is helpful and courteous to customers and aim to give them the best experience possible while visiting this destination fishery in beautiful Sitka, Alaska. I can recommend Joel and Fish Baranof both personally and professionally with great confidence.”

Austin Moser Austin’s Northwest Adventures