What Kasaan Bay Offers Anglers

Kasaan Bay sits on the east side of Prince of Wales Island, about 40 miles south of Craig, and it is one of Southeast Alaska's most accessible saltwater fisheries for small boats and skiffs. The bay itself is protected from open ocean swells by the island's bulk, making it fishable on days when outside waters are too rough. You will find halibut on the sandy bottom in 60 to 150 feet of water, lingcod around rocky structure, and rockfish (mostly yelloweye and quillback) in deeper holes. The bay also holds Pacific salmon — primarily chum and pink salmon in summer and fall — though the salmon run is smaller and less predictable than what you will find in major river systems nearby.

The real advantage of Kasaan Bay is the short run from the village of Kasaan itself. If you are based in Craig or Ketchikan and want to fish saltwater without a long boat ride, Kasaan Bay cuts your travel time to 30 minutes or less from the dock. The bay is also less crowded than popular halibut grounds near Sitka or Juneau, which means you can often find open water and productive bottom without competing for space.

Key Takeaways

  • Kasaan Bay holds halibut, lingcod, and rockfish year-round, with the best halibut fishing from May through September.
  • The bay is protected from ocean swells and accessible by small skiff from Kasaan village, making it practical for a day trip from Craig.
  • Chum and pink salmon move through the bay in summer and fall, but the run is smaller than nearby river systems and timing varies by year.
  • You will need a saltwater fishing license from Alaska and must follow state bag limits and size restrictions for each species.

Halibut Fishing in Kasaan Bay

Halibut is the primary draw for most anglers visiting Kasaan Bay. The sandy and silty bottom in the central and outer bay holds fish year-round, but May through September is when you will find the most consistent action and the best chance at larger fish. Fish the deeper edges of the bay — roughly 80 to 140 feet — where halibut stage before moving into shallower water to feed. Early morning and the last two hours before dark are most productive, though halibut will bite throughout the day if you are on good bottom.

Jigging with 8- to 16-ounce bucktail jigs is the standard method. White, chartreuse, and pink jigs all work, and many anglers tip them with squid or herring. If you prefer bait, live or fresh herring on a spreader bar or simple two-hook rig will take fish, though you will hook more halibut per hour with jigs because you can cover more water and feel the bottom more precisely. Drift fishing works well when the tide is moving; anchor fishing is better during slack water.

Kasaan Bay halibut run smaller on average than fish in deeper offshore grounds, but 20- to 40-pound fish are common, and you will occasionally hook something in the 60- to 80-pound range. Alaska's minimum size for halibut is 32 inches, and the daily bag limit is two fish per person.

Lingcod and Rockfish Structure

Rocky reefs and boulder fields along the bay's edges and in the middle grounds hold lingcod and rockfish. These fish prefer structure — drop-offs, pinnacles, and broken bottom — so focus your effort on areas where the bottom changes quickly from sand to rock. A good depth finder is essential; you are looking for the rough, jagged marks that indicate rock rather than the smooth traces of sand and silt.

Lingcod respond well to larger jigs (12 to 20 ounces) and live bait, especially herring and small rockfish. They are aggressive feeders and will chase a jig on the fall. Rockfish — mostly yelloweye and quillback in Kasaan Bay — are slower and prefer a jig that stays in the strike zone longer; smaller jigs (6 to 10 ounces) and a slower jigging rhythm work better. Both species bite year-round, but spring and early summer (May through July) are most productive.

Lingcod have a 24-inch minimum size and a two-fish daily bag limit. Rockfish regulations vary by species; yelloweye and quillback have a 16-inch minimum and a combined daily bag limit of 10 fish per person. Check the current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before you fish, as these limits can change.

Salmon Timing and Expectations

Chum and pink salmon enter Kasaan Bay in summer and fall, but the run is not as large or as predictable as the salmon fishery in nearby rivers like the Naha or Thorne. Chum salmon typically arrive in July and August, with some fish lingering into September. Pink salmon follow in August and September. Both species move through the bay relatively quickly on their way to spawning streams, so the window for good fishing can be short.

Fish for salmon near the mouths of small creeks and streams that feed the bay, or along the edges where freshwater meets salt. Casting small spoons (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) and spinners works well, as does jigging with small bucktail jigs. Salmon in the bay are often fresh from the ocean and will take a fly if you have a fly rod. The daily bag limit for salmon varies by species and year; check Alaska's current regulations for Kasaan Bay specifically, as some streams have special closures or restrictions.

Tides, Weather, and Seasonal Patterns

Kasaan Bay is tidally driven. The bay empties and fills with a range of 12 to 16 feet depending on the lunar cycle, and the strongest current runs during the first and last two hours of the tide change. Slack water — the 20 to 40 minutes when the tide turns — is often the most productive time for halibut and lingcod because fish are more likely to hold in one spot rather than move with the current.

Southeast Alaska weather changes fast. Summer (June through August) offers the most stable conditions and the longest daylight, but afternoon winds are common. Spring (April and May) can be wet and windy, but the fishing is often excellent because fish are actively feeding after winter. Fall (September and October) brings shorter days and heavier rain, but fewer anglers and good fishing for halibut and rockfish. Winter is possible but requires a hardy boat and crew; most anglers do not fish Kasaan Bay from November through March.

Getting to Kasaan Bay and What You Need

Kasaan is a small village on Prince of Wales Island accessible by floatplane from Ketchikan or Craig, or by road from Craig (about 45 minutes). The village has a small boat launch and moorage, though facilities are basic. Most anglers either launch their own skiff or charter a guide out of Kasaan or Craig. If you are bringing your own boat, a 20- to 28-foot skiff with a cabin is ideal for the weather and the distance, though smaller open boats work in calm conditions.

You will need a valid Alaska saltwater fishing license, which you can purchase online through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website or at most sporting goods stores in Ketchikan and Craig. Bring jigging rods (6 to 7 feet, medium to medium-heavy action), a depth finder, tide tables or a tide app, and appropriate safety gear. Halibut and lingcod fishing requires heavier tackle than salmon, so bring at least two rigged rods and extra jigs in case you lose them on the bottom.

Charter Services and Local Knowledge

Several charter operators run out of Craig and Kasaan and fish Kasaan Bay regularly. A guide can save you time by knowing the productive bottom, the current tide patterns, and where fish are staging on any given day. Charter rates vary but typically run $400 to $600 per day for a boat and guide. If you are unfamiliar with Southeast Alaska saltwater fishing or do not have your own boat, a charter is worth the cost — you will catch more fish and learn the bay faster than you would on your own.

Local tackle shops in Craig carry jigs, bait, and tackle specific to Kasaan Bay and nearby waters. The staff can also tell you which areas are fishing well on any given week and what the recent catch reports look like. This information changes week to week, so asking before you fish saves time and increases your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to fish Kasaan Bay?

May through September offers the most consistent fishing and the best weather. Halibut fishing peaks in June and July. If you want fewer anglers and do not mind cooler weather, April and October are also productive, especially for halibut and rockfish.

Do I need a guide to fish Kasaan Bay successfully?

No, but a guide saves time and increases your catch rate, especially if you are new to Southeast Alaska saltwater fishing. If you have your own boat and basic jigging experience, you can fish the bay on your own by focusing on the sandy bottom in 80 to 140 feet of water and following tide tables.

Can I fish Kasaan Bay in winter?

Technically yes, but winter weather in Southeast Alaska is severe and unpredictable. Most anglers do not fish the bay from November through March because of short daylight, heavy rain, and rough seas. Spring and fall offer better conditions and good fishing.

What size halibut should I expect to catch?

Kasaan Bay halibut average 20 to 40 pounds, which is smaller than fish in deeper offshore grounds. You will occasionally hook fish in the 60- to 80-pound range, but the bay is not known for trophy halibut. If you are targeting large fish, deeper waters near Sitka or Juneau are more productive.

Do I need a special permit to fish Kasaan Bay?

No. You need only a valid Alaska saltwater fishing license. There are no special permits or closures specific to Kasaan Bay, though you must follow state bag limits and size restrictions for each species. Check the current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before you fish.