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Ketchikan
Location: The southern-most city in
Southeastern Alaska. Population: 15,000.
Visitor Information: Ketchikan Visitors
Bureau, 131 Front Street, Ketchikan, Alaska
99901, Phone: (907) 225-6166, Toll Free:
(800) 770-3300; Southeast Alaska Visitor
Center (and Alaska Public Lands Information
Center), 50 Main Street, Phone: (907) 228-
6214, Email: info@visit-ketchikan.com.
The frontier flavor of Ketchikan, complemented
by its scenic beauty and mild climate, world class
sport fishing, and cultural heritage have made it
one of the most popular visitor destinations along
the Inside Passage.
An island community and transportation hub
for the southern portion of southeast Alaska,
Ketchikan can be easily accessed by air or water.
Ferry service from Bellingham, Washington and
Prince Rupert, British Columbia via the Alaska
Marine Highway accommodates motorists and
foot passengers. Daily jet service in and out of state
and local bush planes (most on floats) operating
between Ketchikan and outlying communities
See Video provide air transportation for visitors.
Fishing is serious business in Ketchikan. Home
to the largest charter fleet in the state, the area is
known as Alaska’s sport fishing capital. Anglers
can test their skills against several species of
salmon, as well as halibut, cod, and bottom fish,
or try their luck fishing for Dungeness crab and
spotted prawns. Freshwater fishing is also popular:
Ketchikan Dolly Varden, rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and
photo by: steelhead trout are all within easy access. Some
VC TRAVEL GUIDE
charters offer a two-for-one experience, which
provide a narrated city tour by motor coach as well
as a fishing experience. Ketchikan’s King Salmon
Derby is held in May.
Wildlife sightings are an every day experience
around Ketchikan. Black bear are common
throughout the region, along with brown bears in
mainland areas. Bald eagles are everywhere. These
majestic birds are easy to spot, perched in shoreline
trees, near salmon spawning streams, and around
their many nesting areas. Sitka black-tailed deer
and mountain goats are plentiful, wolves may be
sighted, and moose range the mainland. Sightings
of orca and humpback whales, seas lions, seals, sea
otters, and porpoise may be enjoyed on excursion

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