Fishing Skagway - Go With The Pros
Over 20 years Charter Fishing Boat Experience
in Southeast Alaska
Skagway is situated along Taiya
Inlet, a deepwater fiord which is nourished by the Skagway River, Taiya
river and many spectacular waterfalls. Most types of commercial
fishing are not permitted in Taiya Inlet and this has allowed stocks
of fish, crab and shrimp to proliferate and expand. Pullen Creek is
another tributary in Skagway flowing into Taiya Inlet and is the
returning ground to many King Salmon. The Taiya Inlet Watershed
Council has been instrumental in this annual return and active in
preserving our area for the benefit of both sea life and for those of
us that use the area for fishing, wildlife viewing and recreation.
Captain Mike of Choctaw Charters is a
Skagway fishing charter captain devoted to
fishing and has been at it for many years. A typical fishing trip
begins with greetings on board Choctaw Lady in Small Boat Harbor followed by fishing
license information and a brief, safety talk. Then it’s off to the
area in which we have had the most recent success or an area that
came to the Captain in a dream the night before, hopefully the
first. Once at our fishing ground (typically 10 to 20 minutes away)
Choctaw Lady goes into trolling mode and lines are lowered to proper
depths with downriggers. A strike from a downrigger is very exiting
for everyone on the boat. A flat line (pole in hand) is sometimes
introduced. This type of fishing runs shallower than the downrigger
and is productive with the spawning King Salmon and shallow running
feeder King Salmon.
Our cruising grounds are close by, which means no extra long boat rides to the fishing grounds. Here in Taiya Inlet the salmon are making their way home and feeding on herring, candlefish, shrimp, and squid. When these baitfish arrive, Taiya Inlet comes alive with wildlife. Come see what so many are talking about and get out and up-close with Choctaw Charters, a family owner sport fishing and wildlife cruise fishing charter service.
The waters are deep and clean and the mountains rise near vertically from the water. Rumored to be the deepest fjord in North America, Taiya Inlet is the playground for many species that attract visitors to our waters. Below is a brief list of the most common wildlife in the area:
- Usually seen early in the season as they come down in elevation to eat new vegetation.
- Spend most of the summer in the area, have their newborn pups, and increase in number as the season progresses.
- Are found close to the open ocean and therefore are not common in our area however, we do have several families of river otters, most commonly seen close to our small boat harbor.
- Surf scooters and marbled muralets are found in vast numbers on Taiya Inlet.
-
Bald Eagles: Upper Lynn Canal in which Taiya Inlet is a part of, is
home to a very large bald eagle population. Seldom does a fishing or
wildlife cruise end without a close-up view of a pair of Bald Eagles
perched in a shoreside tree, scouring the water with their eagle
eyes. - This past season, due to an abundance of krill, we had a group of humpback whales stay and feed in Taiya Inlet all summer. Humpback whales are common in the area and are seen on many fishing and wildlife excursions. Orca whales or killer whales do move through the area as well, but sightings are less frequent.
- Due to the extreme elevation along the shore, sightings of bear have been rare. However, the past two years have seen an increase in sightings of brown bear and captains are becoming more aware of their probable locations.
For a wonderful half-day charter fishing adventure away from the barrage of tourists, join Choctaw Charters on Taiya Inlet here in Skagway, Alaska!
Let's Go Fishing!!!
