Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, United States
Ketchikan, United States

Alaskan Halibut Fishing

Outty Ranking 77 4.9 · 135 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $476
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Outty Ranking

77/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 135 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Alaskan Halibut Fishing worth booking?

Alaskan Halibut Fishing is a 5-hour experience in Ketchikan, United States, from $476 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 135 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
77 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (135)
Duration
5 hours
From
$476 per person

This trip puts a rod in every guest’s hand and gives you a crack at whatever species catch the scent trail your guide sets up on the bottom. This is an intimate fishing experience with 5 or 6 guests and a guide tucked into a hardtop aluminum cabin cruiser out on the halibut flats. Weather can be unpredictable, but a major advantage of fishing the Inside Passage is that there’s almost always a place we can hide behind an island, sheltering us from weather blowing in from the open sea. At our company, we don’t worry about fuel burn. We want our guides to go where guests have the best chance at the most active fishing. Compared to most half-day charters in Alaska, these trips will carry guests farther into more distant and productive waters. That means a better chance at the fish, more coastal scenery, and a better chance at spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and porpoises!

What you get

    About this experience

    This trip puts a rod in every guest’s hand and gives you a crack at whatever species catch the scent trail your guide sets up on the bottom. This is an intimate fishing experience with 5 or 6 guests and a guide tucked into a hardtop aluminum cabin cruiser out on the halibut flats. Weather can be unpredictable, but a major advantage of fishing the Inside Passage is that there’s almost always a place we can hide behind an island, sheltering us from weather blowing in from the open sea. At our company, we don’t worry about fuel burn. We want our guides to go where guests have the best chance at the most active fishing. Compared to most half-day charters in Alaska, these trips will carry guests farther into more distant and productive waters. That means a better chance at the fish, more coastal scenery, and a better chance at spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and porpoises!

    What's included

    Included

    • All Fishing Gear, Rain Jacket, Rain Bibs, Boots, Hat, Gloves, Snack, Water Merchant Mariner Licensed Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Alaska Fishing License

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Baranof Fishing Excursions

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 2Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 3Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 4Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 5Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 6Alaskan Halibut Fishing in Ketchikan, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 135 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    135 verified traveler reviews for Alaskan Halibut Fishing. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    131
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    bfh195 · September 2026

    Great fishing experience!

    We have been fishing with Baranof for 11 years. We mostly fish with Captain Chris, but have fished with many other Captains, they are all excellent! Can’t recommend this company highly enough!

    via Tripadvisor

    819bradfordw · September 2026

    Dream trip

    A dream come true. Did this as an excursion from cruise ship. DENNIS was supper good quick safety talk, 45 min boat ride to fishing sight . Only 1 hour all 5 limited out on Halibut.

    via Tripadvisor

    Jennifer_H · September 2026

    Halibut early Sept

    Met at the ship as advertised. Took a few minutes to gather all the cients up. A bit crazy for this part. Once at the marina, met Cpt Garret. He settled everything down. He knew what was needed and cleared up questions. Once on the boat, we took an hour run to the straight. We were lucky the seas were really nice today. Once on the spot, we had a halibut limitin short order. Then we pulled anchor and caught a limit of sea bass. At that point we were just about out of time and headed in. Had some paperwork to finish to areange shipping the catch. And done. Boat was a professional set up and safe. Overall, a good experience. Note: the halibut you target here are less than 36” long. We caught 5 28-30” halibut. Very good eaters. If you are looking for trophy sized fish, Seward is probably a better location.

    via Viator

    Road08588411078 · August 2026

    Chris was amazing!!

    Wonderful experience with Chris. He was very patient with the less experienced, which is a small detail but actually very important, as EVERYONE was able to fully enjoy their fishing trip (not just the pros). Chris was also very attentive to all guest and knowledgeable of all fish. He was very quick and knowledgeable with paperwork and legal requirements/ documentation. Very professional and fun. I have already made recommendations to friends and family to fish with him.

    via Tripadvisor

    timmW9449PS · August 2026

    Couldn’t have turned out better.

    Captain and mate did an excellent job . Kept us on fish as much as possible as possible.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    47
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Baranof Fishing Excursions, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 71.4.

    See everything Baranof Fishing Excursions runs

    Why this scores 77

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)70
    Booking momentum (14% weight)65
    Value for money (12% weight)54
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)66
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Alaskan Halibut Fishing: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Ketchikan.

    How much does Alaskan Halibut Fishing cost?

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    Prices start at $476 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Ketchikan usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Alaskan Halibut Fishing take?

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    Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Ketchikan is not rushed.

    Is Alaskan Halibut Fishing worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 135 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Ketchikan, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Alaskan Halibut Fishing?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Alaskan Halibut Fishing suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Alaskan Halibut Fishing?

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    Around 47 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Ketchikan can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Ketchikan and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Alaskan Halibut Fishing start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Ketchikan within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Ketchikan?

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    Ketchikan runs short, cruise-timed excursions: Misty Fjords floatplane flights, Tongass rainforest zip lines, totem park tours, crab feasts and wildlife boats up the Behm Canal. On Outty we rank every Ketchikan experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari - 3 hr., Ketchikan Kayak Eco-Tour, 3-Hour Rainforest, Beach & Wildlife Walk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Ketchikan?

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    May to September, matching the Alaska cruise season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Ketchikan?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Alaskan Halibut Fishing?

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    Included: All Fishing Gear, Rain Jacket, Rain Bibs, Boots, Hat, Gloves, Snack, Water Merchant Marine. Not included: Gratuities; and Alaska Fishing License. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Alaskan Halibut Fishing include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 6 listed pickup locations in and around Ketchikan. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Alaskan Halibut Fishing offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Alaskan Halibut Fishing?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Alaskan Halibut Fishing wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Alaskan Halibut Fishing if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Alaskan Halibut Fishing?

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    Across 135 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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