Port Protection is located on the north tip of Prince of Wales Island in the heart of the Inside Passage. With over 2,231 square miles of dense forest coastal mountains and many rivers, streams, and lakes, Kodiak and the Island of Hawaii are the only two larger Islands in the U.S. There are over 990 miles of coastline and numerous bays, coves, inlets, and points, making it a recreational paradise. There are also over 1,100 miles of maintained roads to explore the island on. The island offers world class ocean and freshwater fishing. Trophy class Rainbow trout, Steelhead, King, Coho Salmon and huge Halibut are common. The back country is uncrowded and you will discover beach combing experience’s, wild life veiwing ( black bears, sitka black tail deer, wolve’s, bald eagle’s, whale’s and puffin’s) . Prince of Wales also has a very impressive cave network ( El Capitan cave is avalable for guided touring in the summer) the remains of a 10,000 year old man was recently discovered approx a mile away from our lodge.The Beaver falls karst trail is open all year round. The island is also a bird watcher’s paradise. Many area’s on Prince of Wales are virtually undiscovered.
Heart of the nation’s largest national forest
Port Protection is also in the heart of the nation’s largest national forest, the 17 million acre Tongass. This temperate rainforest is an integral part for the resident lifestyle in Southeast Alaska., providing wood for industry, habitat for birds and animals, food, and basic’s for daily life. The locals say we share our island , the most beautiful place on earth, with an amazing array of wildlife. Around Prince of Wales island, marine life, birds and animals move in migratory patterns and follow food sources throughout the year. Migrating Humpback and Orca whales, as well as sea lions, seals, and porpoises are frequently spotted. Black bear are most often seen while wandering near streams and wooded area’s. Sitka Black Tailed deer inhabit the beaches and forest. Mountain goats and wolves are sighted in the higher elevations.
Port Protection Fishing
Five specie’s of salmon migrate from the open ocean, around Port Protection and into protected waters. Lakes and streams stocked with trout appeal to freshwater anglers. Native specie’s of salmon include king (Chinook), silver (Coho), red (Sockeye), pink (Humpy), and chum (Dog) salmon. Shrimp and crab are also abundant.
Commercial fishing is the principal industry. A mixed fleet of gillnetters and trollers homeports here. The community is also home to Artist which produce drawings, paintings and carvings. Halibut fishers also flock to nearby waters in the summer.