Celebrating more than a century of tradition, Waterfall Resort spans 52 acres on Prince of Wales Island near Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. Accessible only by air and sea, our record-setting salmon cannery turned legendary sport-fishing resort draws anglers from around the world (65,000 to date), who come to our remote shores in pursuit of wild king and silver salmon, halibut, lingcod, and more than 20 other fish species.
Waterfall Resort Alaska is known the world over for the astounding number of king and silver salmon, halibut, lingcod, and other sport fish reeled in by our guests year after year. But why is the fishing so good at Waterfall Resort? One reason is that we have an unparalleled one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, and the sole aim of our crew of 90-plus—which includes our expert U.S. Coast Guard licensed fishing guides—is to see that you have the best ever Alaska sport-fishing adventure, from arrival to departure.
But there’s another huge reason why our fishing is so good. That’s our storied location on Prince of Wales Island’s western shore, an ideal habitat for millions of bait fish that draw the annual returns of Southeast Alaska’s mighty king and silver salmon. These seasonal runs inspired pioneering fishermen who, back in 1912, established our forebearer, the record-setting Waterfall Cannery. Building on that legacy, the cannery was turned into a remote fishing lodge in 1973.
Accessible only by air and sea, Waterfall Resort is located on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska’s 1,100-island Alexander Archipelago, near the famed Inside Passage, the historic settlers’ route turned inter-island marine highway. The truth is, though, we’re as easily reached as we are wonderfully remote. Just a short floatplane flight from Ketchikan—the Alaska port town just 90 minutes from Seattle, Washington—and you’re transported to another world.
Our 52-acre property is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest on our 2,770-square-mile island’s craggy west coast. Here, nutrient-rich spring runoff and a confluence of ocean currents attract millions of bait fish, which in turn feed vast populations of halibut, lingcod, and rockfish—as well as the extraordinary annual returns of king and silver salmon.
Of course, those wily salmon know exactly why they converge along our shores each summer. They’re bulking up for their inland journey to their spawning grounds—rivers and creeks in Washington and Oregon, and the 14,000 miles of wild Alaska waterways throughout the Tongass.
Fly in the Morning, Fish in the Afternoon
Happily, we’re just a short floatplane flight from Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska, 90 minutes from Seattle, Washington. At Waterfall Resort, you can fly in in the morning and be on the water fishing with us in the afternoon.
Dedicated Service, On and Off the Water
It’s always great to see the familiar faces of our many repeat guests, and we’re honored by those who’ve made a stay at our historic property an annual tradition passed from one generation to the next. While we’ve hosted our share of pro athletes and celebrities over the years, our core clientele includes both newbie and longtime anglers, corporate and nonprofit groups, and vacationing families, who return to the resort year after year.
Salmon - Chinook (King)
Salmon - Coho (Silver)
Salmon - Pink (Humpback)
Halibut
Ling Cod
Rockfish
