Sport fishing in Skagway
Sport fishing in Skagway means salmon, mostly king salmon, caught in Taiya Inlet. The inlet is good king salmon trolling water from June through August, and charter boats leave from the Skagway Small Boat Harbor, a short walk from downtown. Shore anglers can also fish from points on the inlet without booking a boat.
Places to go
Taiya Inlet
Taiya Inlet is the saltwater channel that runs past Skagway, and it is where local anglers go for king salmon. Charter boats and shore anglers both fish its waters from late spring into early autumn.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
A half-day king salmon charter is the usual way to fish here. The boats leave from the small boat harbor, and a four-hour trip on the water is the typical length. The charter boat is a 32 foot luxury catamaran, and the trip is a chance to land a king salmon. Whale blows are sometimes seen along the way.
If you would rather stay on land, you can fish from the shore at Yakutania Point or Dyea Point on Taiya Inlet. Most of the day is spent walking and waiting for a bite. The inlet itself has a long history: Skagway was an important saltwater port during the Gold Rush, so the water you fish is the same water the stampeders came in by.
Where to go
- Taiya Inlet. Good king salmon trolling from June to August. Adult kings return to Pullen Creek in June and July, and immature kings feed here in August. By boat.
- Skagway Small Boat Harbor. Charter boats leave from slip A7 for king salmon trips. Charters run from May through September. A short walk from downtown.
- Yakutania Point and Dyea Point. Shore anglers fish from these two points on Taiya Inlet, with no boat needed. By walk.
Getting there
The small boat harbor is a short walk from downtown. The town is only a few blocks wide and level, so walking to the harbor works fine.
When to go
Trolling for king salmon in Taiya Inlet peaks from June through August. Charter boats run only from May through September, so there are no charters before May or after September.
Good to know
- Book a charter ahead of time, since charters are arranged with an operator.
- Dress in layers and bring a warm jacket, as the inlet is open water with strong north winds at times.
- The town is level and small, so you can walk from downtown to the harbor and the points.
Questions
Can you go sport fishing in Skagway?
Yes. A half-day king salmon charter runs about four hours on the water from the Skagway Small Boat Harbor. The harbor is a short walk from downtown. Charters run May through September.
When is the best time for king salmon fishing in Skagway?
King salmon trolling in Taiya Inlet is good from June through August. Adult kings return to Pullen Creek in June and July, and immature kings feed in the inlet in August.
Can I fish from shore in Skagway without a charter?
Yes. Shore anglers fish from Yakutania Point and Dyea Point on Taiya Inlet. No boat or tour is needed for shore fishing.
