Ketchikan, Alaska Information
Ketchikan has earned the title of "Salmon Capitol of the World" through the abundance of the fish found in the nearby waters and the accompanying processing plants to support the fishing industry. The city's name comes from the native Tlingit word meaning "Thundering Wings of an Eagle." Located near the bottom of the southeastern Alaska Panhandle on Revillagigedo Island about 90 miles north of the Canada/U.S. border at the entrance to the Tongass Narrows and at the base of Deer Mountain, it has a population of nearly 8,000 people.
Hunting and Fishing Outfitters
Excellent fishing opportunities exist in both salt- and freshwater locations. The Ketchikan region is noted for strong runs of trophy-size king, silver, red, pink and chum salmon, in addition to strong fishing for halibut, steelhead, Dolly Varden, grayling and rainbow trout. True Alaskan Charters is one example of a charter company offering guided fishing opportunities for many different species. They specialize in salmon, halibut and lingcod fishing.
Did You Know?
Misty Fjords National Monument is 22 miles east of downtown Ketchikan.
Hunting possibilities in the Ketchikan area focus mainly on both brown and black bear, goat and deer. The area is specifically known for both the abundance of and large size of black bears. Muskeg Excursions offers guided hunts throughout the southeastern Alaskan area. They guide on Prince of Wales Island for brown and black bear, along for mountain goat and Sitka blacktail deer, as well as in the Misty Fjords National Monument and Wilderness Area for both bears and mountain goat.
Did You Know?
If you plan your trip in advance, you may be able to land a night or two in a US Forest Service cabin. There are 80 cabins that are located on lakes, rivers, streams, fjords, and the sea.
Ketchikan has a strong native culture that the town proudly embraces. It is home to the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, which is a sight not to be missed. As a major fishing port and tourist destination, it is located near the Tongass National Forest, a 17 million acre forest. It is a temperate rainforest that encompasses islands, coastal mountains, glaciers, and fjords that would make any wilderness photographer drool with delight. Wildlife of all sorts call the National Forest home. Both black and grizzly bears are common on the mainland and on the islands of the Inside Passage. There are countless streams, rivers, lakes, and fjords that are spawning grounds for the five types of Alaskan Salmon. The nearby coast is bountiful with all sorts of fish and shells. The sharp observer should be able to pick out mountain goats on the surrounding peaks, Sitka black-tailed deer on the rocky coastline, moose among the cedar trees, or bald eagles soaring in the bluebird sky.
Close to Ketchikan is the Misty Fjords National Monument, often referred to the "Yosemite of the North." Misty Fjords is a wild 3,570 square miles surrounded by volcanoes. It is home to several major rivers flowing from glaciers that have carved 3,000-foot canyons through the area making for amazing scenery. The area is ideal for photographers looking for the perfect Alaskan photo, divers examining aquatic life, hunters searching for a new trophy, fishermen taking advantage of the salmon spawning grounds or of the lake-living Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout, sea kayakers exploring the fjords or hikers who want to experience the fresh smells of the pristine wilderness.
Town Information:
Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
131 Front St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-6166
http://www.visit-ketchikan.com
City of Ketchikan
334 Front St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3111
http://www.city.ketchikan.ak.us
Population: 7,368 (2007 census)
Location: On the shores of Ketchikan Creek and the Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska
Annual Precipitation: 134.4 in.
July Averages: Temperature - 64*F; precipitation - 6.43 in.
Lodging:
Best Western Landing
3434 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-5166 / (800) 428-8304
http://www.landinghotel.com
Cape Fox Lodge
800 Venetia Way, Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-8001 / (800) 325-4000
http://www.westcoasthotels.com
Salmon Falls Lodge
16707 N. Tongass Hwy (PO Box 5700), Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-2752 / (800) 247-9059
http://www.salmonfallslodge.com
Black Bear Inn
5528 N. Tongass Hwy., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-4343
http://www.stayinalaska.com
The Narrows Inn
4871 N. Tongass Hwy., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 247-2600 / (888) 686-2600
http://www.narrowsinn.com
Captain's Quarters B & B
325 Lund St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-4912
http://www.captainsquartersbb.com/
Eagle Heights B & B
1626 Water St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-1760 / (800) 928-3308
http://www.eagleheightsbb.com
New York Hotel/The Inn at Creek Street
207 Stedman St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-0246 / (866) 225-0246
http://www.thenewyorkhotel.com
Ketchikan Youth Hostel
400 Main St. (PO Box 8515), Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3319
Email: ktnyh@eagle.ptialaska.net
Camping:
Last Chance Campground
(907) 225-3101
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass
Signal Creek Campground
(907) 225-3101
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass
Three C's Campground
(907) 225-3101
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass
Did You Know?
Dolly Varden, cutthroat, rainbow trout, grayling, and steelhead swim next to the abundant 5 species of salmon in the fresh waters. The deep salt water off Ketchikan has copious amounts of halibut, rock fish, yellow eye, red snapper, and cod.
What to See:
Totem bight State Historical Park
9883 N. Tongass Hwy., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 247-8574
http://www.alaskastateparks.org
Totem Heritage Center
601 Deermount St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-5900
Saxman Native Village Totem Pole Park
2.5 miles south of town Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-4846
Deer Mountain Tribal Hatcher & Eagle Center
1158 Salmon Rd., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 228-5530 / (800) 252-5158
Tongass Historical Museum
629 Dock St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-5600
Creek Street
Restaurants & Bars:
Dai Sho Gun
1287 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-2202
Halibut Hole
7 Creek St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-5162
The Alaskan Fish House
3 Salmon Landing (PO Box 8523), Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-4055
http://www.alaskafishhouse.com
Bar Harbor Restaurant
2813 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-2813
http://www.barharborrestaurantktn.com/
Burger Queen
518 Water St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-6060
Diaz Cafe
335 Stedman St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-2257
Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant
4 Creek St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-1818
Ocean View Restaurante
1831 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-7566
Taxi:
Sourdough Cab
(907) 225-5544
Alaska Cab
(907) 225-2133
Water Taxi:
Tongass Water Taxi
(907) 225-8294
Bus:
Ketchikan Gateway Borough bus
(907) 225-8726
Rental Cars:
Alaska Car Rental
(907) 225-5000 / (800) 662-0007
http://www.akcarrental.com
Ferry Terminal:
Alaska Marine Highway System (2.5 miles N. of downtown)
(907) 225-6182 / (800) 642-0066
http://www.ferryalaska.com
Airport:
Ketchikan International Airport
Ketchikan, AK
(907) 465-1786
http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/airport/airport.htm
Chamber of Commerce:
Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
111 Stedman St. #210, Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3184
http://www.ketchikanchamber.com
AK Employment Service:
Alaska Job Center Network
2030 Sea Level Dr. #220, Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3181
Email: Ketchikan_aes@labor.state.ak.us
Local Newspaper:
Ketchikan Daily News
501 Dock St. (PO Box 7900), Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3157
http://www.ketchikandailynews.com
Email: news@ketchikandailynews.com
Hospital:
Ketchikan General Hospital
3100 Tongass Ave., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-5171
http://www.peacehealth.org/SoutheastAlaska/WhoWeAre.htm
Fish & Game:
Alaska Fish & Game Department
2030 Sea Level Dr. #205, Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-2859
http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov
Forest Service:
Tongas National Forest
Federal Building
648 Mission St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3101
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass
Internet Access:
SeaPort Cyberstations
5 Salmon Landing, 2nd floor, Ketchikan, AK
(907) 247-4615
Ketchikan Public Library
629 Dock St., Ketchikan, AK
(907) 225-3331
