Emergency crews were able to reach the aircraft that crashed against a granite rock face and confirm the deceased, but weather in the fjords prevented recovery efforts, Megan Peters from Alaska's Department of Public Safety said.
"Due to inclement weather, the body recovery effort will not be attempted until tomorrow," she said in a statement.
The plane, a single-engine DHC-3 Otter, went down near down near Ketchikan, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The aircraft was reported to be part of Holland America Line, a cruise line operating in the area.
Holland America Line was not available to comment to AFP on the reports.
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Twitter it was sending a "go-team" to the crash site to investigate.