Baranof Fishing Excursions
Baranof Fishing Excursions
Currently recruiting for the season from April 15th, 2027 to October 1st, 2027.
Baranof Fishing Excursions is a sport fishing company based in Ketchikan, Alaska. We operate a fleet of 25 Raider skiffs and cabin cruisers on day trips in the stunning waters of the Alexander Archipelago.
Ketchikan lies in the heart of the Tongass National Forest amidst the waterways and fjords of the Inside Passage. Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, our town offers world-class fishing for halibut, rockfish, and all five species of Pacific salmon.
- Location
- Alaska
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 40
- Housing
- Employer housing is not available, but resources are provided to help staff find housing in our area.
- Housing details
- We have established local housing contacts and provide our employees with the resources and support they need to secure housing.
- Single occupancy housing available
- No
- Meals
- Some meals / discounts
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Baranof Fishing Excursions
Baranof Fishing is about accessing the best that Southeast Alaska has to offer. Summer in Ketchikan is a busy time, filled with action and adventure. All season long, enthusiastic guests from all over the world load up in our boats and race out upon the Inside Passage. A few hours later boats return with cod, salmon, halibut, and crab, sharing stories of whales, eagles, and more. This company is built to deploy experienced captains in state-of-the-art boats to thrill our guests in the vast wilderness of the Alexander Archipelago. We achieve success through a deep bench of expert captains, professional support staff, and relying on systems for communication, maintenance, and guest satisfaction.
The Employee Experience
Baranof employees spend their summers outside, rain, shine, or wind. We work in the heart of Ketchikan in the historic Thomas Basin harbor, with Deer Mountain towering above, eagles wheeling overhead, salmon swimming by the dock, and whales passing the harbor mouth. Regardless of your job role, when you show up for work, you enter a sensory Alaskan experience. With boats leaving our dock constantly, every employee can get out on the water and see the wonders of this wilderness.
This is a team environment; rarely do Baranof employees work alone or make critical decisions in a vacuum. We are all together at the marina, linked by cell phone on land, and VHF radio at sea. The pool of knowledge found in your peers is an extremely valuable resource. Those who tap into that network can rapidly grow their skills and experience in the fields of tourism, culinary, charter fishing, and marine maintenance.
Ideal Candidate
An ideal candidate is amped to be in Alaska and is ready to work hard at sharing this place with our guests. The days are literally longer here, sometimes it can feel like we pack two days’ worth of living into one day on the calendar. Remembering and accessing the beauty and excitement of a summer in Alaska will see you through those daily epics.
In the frontier, we value reliability and honesty. If you show up when you say you will, put forth your best effort at your job, and communicate openly about what you need and what you see, you’ll find success at this company.
Room and Board
Housing is the single greatest challenge in Ketchikan. Baranof Fishing does not provide company housing. The company often assists employees in their search for housing if a job offer is accepted.
We provide employees a 40% discount at our restaurant, the Alaska Fish House.
Employee Perks
Discounted Food at the Alaska Fish House
The Alaska Fish House is conveniently located just above our marina. Fuel your day or celebrate the end of a shift with locally caught salmon, cod, halibut, and more! The staff discount makes food at this restaurant competitive with buying groceries for cost.
Free Standby Charter Fishing for you, your friends, your family
Throughout the summer season, our company sends out dozens of fishing trips. These trips almost always have a few seats open. When you’re not working, you are welcome to jump aboard any of these trips on a standby basis. The same deal is open to your friends and family. Because the trips are going out anyway, adding another person adds minimal costs. If you communicate in advance and are flexible, you can get out quite a bit throughout the season.
Getting Here and Getting Around
With daily flights from Seattle direct to Ketchikan, our community is one of the most accessible in the state! The airport is on a different island than the town, so you’ll take a short ferry across upon arrival. We typically pick up folks from the airport who are completely new to town.
Ketchikan sits on 38 miles of state highway that dead-ends in the forest. If you’re living anywhere downtown, the city is very walkable. City buses run regularly throughout the summer season.
Having a vehicle opens access to housing options beyond downtown and hiking opportunities out further on the road. Getting a vehicle up here requires boarding a 3-day Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham Washington and costs around $1200. Slots of the ferries fill up quickly for sailings in the shoulder seasons, so it’s crucial to book sooner rather than later.
For Fun
Hundreds of seasonal workers arrive in Ketchikan each summer for work, and they’re all looking to get the most out of this place. Making connections with seasonals and locals is your best tactic for enjoying Ketchikan.
There are numerous hiking trails sprinkled around our island offering access to the pristine wilderness of the Tongass National Forest. Community events such as the Blessing of the Fleet, Blueberry Festival, Fourth of July, and more occur throughout the summer. Don’t let the season pass without doing a beach bonfire, or chasing the Northern Lights on a clear night.
For maritime adventure, you could jump on an already scheduled charter, or you could work with captains to try to plan your own. Baranof encourages captains to run personal trips on available boats at no cost to them beyond fuel.
Current Job Openings
- Ensures the prep station and the kitchen is set up, stocked, and equipment is at proper temperature and functioning correctly
- Perfectly cooks fresh Alaskan seafood in a fast-paced environment consistently and adheres to platting guidelines.
- Ensures that food comes out simultaneously, in high quality and in a timely fashion
- Ensures kitchen operations and hygiene meet food safety standards and regulations
- Performs at all stations with ability to support fellow team members
- Ensures freshness and quality of ingredients
- Focuses on consistency with cooking times, plating, and taste
- Communicates openly, proactively, and with professionalism when engaging peers, management, and guests
- Works with servers to ensure that orders are completed correctly and on-time
- Performs cooking techniques using flat top, grill, deep fryer, and steamer
Cruise to our off-grid island camp by boat
Fire up the camp fire and prep the outdoor kitchen
Create elevated meals with the freshest ingredients Alaska has to offer
Share stories and smiles with guests as they dine in the heart of the wild
Clean up, break down, and boat back to town
A confident cook or chef who thrives in dynamic environments
Excited by the challenge and reward of remote cooking
Energetic, self-sufficient, and team-oriented
Ready for a seasonal adventure in beautiful Southeast Alaska
Consistently enable Alaska Fishing and Wilderness Dining boats to depart from camp within 70 minutes of their arrival at the beach
Serve hot food at a temperature of at least 135° F, reheat food to at least 165° F and maintains coolers below 41° F
Master the company bouillabaisse recipe, incorporating multiple fish species into the meal
Maintain the highest possible standards of cleanliness in the transport and production of camp meals
Work with guides to maintain awareness of allergies, providing detailed information about recipes.
Safety is prioritized. Plans are formulated and communicated for managing risk to ensure the safety of guests and team members
Participates in the safe and efficient setup and takedown of the Camp
All necessary supplies and equipment are present at the beach each day of operations during the season. Checklists are used to ensure everything is loaded in the boat for each departure
Camp presents well. Gravel is raked, gear not in use is stowed. Fires are built. Firewood is stacked. Amenities are stocked. Rustic elegance is maintained.
Boats are monitored carefully when beach anchored, and repositioned as necessary if tide or wind push them around
Guides will prioritize safety in every aspect of their jobs
Guides will strive to exceed guest expectations
Guides will work hard to get every guest to reel in a fish (of any species)
Guides will be observed making extra effort to help out team members
- Hazards on the dock will be removed, mitigated, or effectively communicated to guests and team members.
- Every boat will be launched and met by a team member who can help secure it to the dock and assist guests on or off.
- Guest experiences will be evaluated while assisting guests out of boats, if there’s an issue, dockhands will involve managers to resolve.
- Guest’s fish are handled with care, kept cold, and transported to Cedar’s Lodge for processing.
When guests approach meeting areas, dock representatives are already present, holding the appropriate sign, prepared to help them find their way to the Baranof Marina
Settling with cruise ships occurs efficiently and accurately to ensure Baranof is fully paid for the excursions
Displays exceptional customer service, effectively engaging with guests at every opportunity, smiling, listening actively, and speaking with warmth and respect
Guests make their all-aboard times feeling confident they won’t be left behind
Warm and professional working relationships are maintained with cruise line shore excursions staff
Communication resources are utilized to ensure coordination within the department
Effectively engages with guests at every opportunity, smiling, listening actively, and speaking with warmth and respect
A succinct plan for the day is made based on the schedule. The Tour Operations staff is arranged and delegated to appropriately
Guests pickups and drop offs are conducted smoothly ensuring a positive beginning and end of their Baranof experience
Ensuring the licensing and outfitting operations proceed as efficiently as possible
Communication resources are utilized to ensure the Tour Operations staff are coordinated
Works with the sales team to ensure all clients are accounted for in the spreadsheet
Works with the dock Manager to assign the captains and boats to the appropriate charter
Can provide insight and answers to guides or guests when asked about where they should go and when or how they get there
Problem solves guests issues on the spot if possible
Utilize support for upper management to ensure any issues are appropriately addressed
Monitors our communication streams to delegate fish on board processes before the boats arrive back at the dock
Coaches and holds the Tour Operations staff to high standards
Works hand in hand with the Operations Manager to ensure efficient daily operations
Communicates and leans on upper management to be supported in the collaborative working environment
- Operates company vehicles in a safe and professional manner
- Engages our fishing guests with exceptional customer service during all transports
- Supports Tour Operations as needed with pickups, holding signs for guests if required
- Works with managers at Baranof and FH to plan out schedules
Alaska Fish House
Line Cook
Mission: The line cook will maintain safe, consistent, and efficient production of Fish House menu items and proudly showcase the excellence of perfectly cooked fresh, locally-sourced Alaskan seafood.
Outcomes:
Fish Camp
Camp Cook
Join the Baranof Fishing Excursions team, a well-established outfit in Southeast Alaska, and bring your skills to one of Alaska’s most unforgettable outdoor experiences. We’re searching for passionate, adventurous chefs to execute our well developed camp meal in a one-of-a-kind wilderness kitchen, nestled on a remote island camp surrounded by ancient spruce and cedar forests near Ketchikan, Alaska.
Our remote dining experience is all about showcasing the best of Alaska: fresh-caught fish and warm hospitality in a rustic yet refined setting. If you love the idea of cooking fresh-caught meals, working in the great outdoors, and delivering unforgettable meals to guests fresh off a day of fishing, this is the opportunity for you.
Step off the grid and into a role where creativity, nature, and flavor intertwine to create lifetime memories for guests. Apply now to cook in one of the most unique kitchens you’ll ever experience.
What Your Day Looks Like:
Who You Are:
Outcomes:
Camp Jack
Provides logistical support for the Baranof Fish Camp experience. Drives camp skiff to and from camp, catches/launches charter vessels on the beach, and monitors beach anchored vessels, hauls equipment, splits wood, builds fires, participates in camp setup, cleanup, and construction. Engages guests and guides warmly.
Outcomes:
Fishing Team
Captain
Baranof Guides must operate boats safely, delivering exceptional customer service to guests on fishing excursions. Guides support each other on and off the water, taking advantage of the knowledge within the fleet and accepting feedback from peers, especially on safety. Guides must hold a current Merchant Mariner Credential (Inland OUPV or better).
Outcomes:
Marina
Dockhands
Ensures safe and efficient flow of people and vessels within the marina. Catches boats, licenses guests, maintains the marina itself, and works closely with guides to provide exceptional customer service to guests.
Outcomes
Tour Operations
Dock Representative
Responsible for meeting guests at the cruise berths, licensing guests to fish, communicating information to Baranof team members, and facilitating guest transportation. Works cooperatively with Dispatch, coordinating with cruise and independent guests to ensure customer expectations are exceeded.
Outcomes:
Laundry Steward
Collect, clean, fold, and stow all rain gear, boots, and gloves used by fishing guests on charters. Support the licensing team if needed.
Licensor
Responsible for licensing guests and supporting outfitting during busy departures. Utilize computers and POS systems to efficiently get guests out of the outfitting room and onto the dock.
Tour Operations Manager
As the Tour Operations Manager at Baranof Fishing Excursions, you’ll be responsible for coordinating transportation to and from the cruise ship according to the daily schedule.
Your responsibilities will include maintaining the outfitting room for efficient processing of guest licensing and gearing up, training, delegating, and supervising the Tour Operations team, working closely with other managers and cruise ship shore excursions teams to ensure smooth processes, and playing an active role in the daily dispatch spreadsheet to assign and understand how the day will play out for the clients, boats, and captains.
Job DutiesDisplays exceptional customer service and hospitality:
Ensures tour operations processes are streamlined and effectively executed:
Arranges and manages the daily dispatch schedule:
Guest experiences are monitored and complaints are followed up on promptly:
Fish on Board program is conducted with minimal disruption to tour operations:
Warm and professional working relationships are maintained with cruise line shore excursions staff, other managers, and employees:
Baranof Fishing Excursions is the biggest charter fishing company in Southeastern Alaska. We pride ourselves in delivering an exceptional charter fishing experience that leaves every client with lifelong memories. We have cultivated a work environment to support, respect, and appreciate every employee.
Baranof Fishing Excursions began with a deep love for Southeast Alaska and a desire to share its wonder. Founded by third-generation Alaskans AJ and Chuck Slagle, Baranof was built to reflect the lifestyle they grew up with. Raised on the tides, they believed visitors should experience not just the catch, but the Alaska experience behind it.
Discover Ketchikan, Alaska - The Salmon Capital of the WorldKetchikan offers unparalleled access to the pristine waters of the Inside Passage and vast Tongass National Forest. We are not on the road system and are only accessible by sea or air.
Located just 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Ketchikan sits along the dramatic coastline of Revillagigedo Island is often the first port of call in Alaska for travelers. Our town stretches for 31 miles but is never more than a few blocks wide.
Ketchikan provides a unique mix of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and community life. We are surrounded by lush rainforests, scenic waterways, and abundant wildlife.
In this role, you will be living and working in the bustling heart of the marina.
Explore more about our beautiful town here: Discover Ketchikan
Van Driver
Provides transportation and logistical support to Baranof Fishing and the Alaska Fish House. Transport fishing guests to and from their cruise ships, perform staff transport to boat launches, run to grocery/hardware stores, dump runs as needed. Maintain land vehicles in excellent working order through inspections, regular cleaning, and careful operation.
Outcomes
How to Apply
Explore our available positions and apply online! Please fill out all fields on the application or be sure to attach a detailed resume.
Contact Info
- David Dentinger
- david@baranof.net
- exclusivealaska.com
