Page 81 - Breath of the Bear

Just eight miles south of Ketchikan, a vehicle-accessible bear viewing spot on beautiful Herring
Cove is the place to be during the salmon runs from mid-June through early September. Situated
within the vast Tongass rainforest, Herring Cove is a pristine ecosystem and rich estuary teeming
with wildlife. The healthy black bear population and some brown bear frequent the area in part
because the Whitman Lake Fish Hatchery is located on the same cove.
Bears can be seen catching huge king salmon, including many black bear sows with spring cubs.
This is a great destination for watching bears, fishing birds, harbor seals and salmon all come together,
as the abundance of fish attracts a diversity of bald eagles, herons, gulls, ravens and crows.

photo by James Lewis

photo by Cindy Balzer

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