Seas rich with baitfish and plankton set the stage for saltwater charter fishing for all 5 species of Pacific salmon, halibut, Pacific cod, rockfish, lingcod, shrimp, and two types of crab. Freshwater rivers and lakes produce opportunities for that rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, as well as steelhead. Alongside runs of returning salmon swim Dolly Varden Char. Even grayling and kokanee are scattered about. In terms of assortment, POW is a smorgasbord for just about everything Southeast Alaska has to offer the angler.
Below outlines the basic types of fishing, however it is by no means limited to.
Steelhead and Trout
As you cast your fly into the pristine waters of POW, you see the line sway. You react and set the hook and suddenly the battle is on. You came to Prince of Wales Island to catch steelhead in one of our small streams, and now its here.
Our Steelhead runs are world class with fish reaching 20 pounds.
There are not many things more exhilarating than catching native run Steelhead. Whether you choose to go with an experienced guide or explore the streams on your own, there is nothing like it.
There are plenty of Dolly Varden, Rainbow trout in these same streams so make sure to bring multiple setups. You are also welcome to use spinning and casting gear on these steelheads, but a fly rod is the method of choice.
Salmon
We have all five species of Salmon in Prince of Wales island. We catch everything in the ocean and we have even see people catch King Salmon from the float plane dock here in Coffman Cove. There is a strong return of King Salmon into the cove every year. Everything except for King Salmon can be caught in the streams around the island. The earliest Silver salmon runs happen just a 20 minute boat ride from harbor in June. It is not uncommon to catch Kings, Silvers and halibut all in one day.
Halibut and Bottom fish
There are people that only come to Coffman Cove to fish for Halibut. We are close to the best Halibut fishing around POW island. When you see people pulling into the dock with a 200 pound halibut on a 16' skiff boat, you will know why. Be sure to stock up on 20/0 hooks at the Riggin Shack.
Freshwater
| king salmon | not available in freshwater | |
| coho salmon | August and September | |
| sockeye salmon | July through August | |
| chum salmon | August | |
| pink salmon | July through September | |
| Dolly Varden Char | July through October | |
| steelhead trout | April and May November and December | |
| rainbow trout | May through June | |
| cutthroat trout | May through June | |
| brook trout | July through September | |
| grayling | year round | |
| kokanee | May and June September and October |
Saltwater
| king salmon | May through July | |
| coho salmon | July through September | |
| sockeye salmon | June through August | |
| chum salmon | July and August | |
| pink salmon | July and August | |
| Dolly Varden Char | June and July | |
| halibut | June through September | |
| rockfish | June through September | |
| lingcod | year round |