8-Hour Snafu & Tarfu Lakes Fishing Adventure in Yukon
Shared Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour guided fishing experience at Snafu and Tarfu LakesTarget Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and lake trout speciesExpert instruction provided in pristine Yukon wilderness setting
Picture this: you're casting into crystal-clear Yukon waters where the fish are biting and the scenery looks like something off a postcard. That's exactly what you'll get on this full-day adventure at Snafu and Tarfu Lakes. These aren't your typical crowded fishing holes – we're talking about pristine northern waters that hold some seriously impressive trout and pike. Our team knows these lakes like the back of our hands, and we'll make sure you're fishing the right spots with the right techniques to maximize your chances of landing something memorable.
This is an 8-hour fishing trip, so we've got plenty of time to work both lakes and really dial in what's working. Snafu and Tarfu sit in some of the most beautiful country you'll ever fish – surrounded by boreal forest and backed by mountains that'll have you reaching for your camera between casts. The water clarity here is something else; on calm days, you can literally watch fish moving around below your boat. We'll start early to take advantage of the morning bite, then adjust our approach as the day progresses. Since this is a single-angler trip, you'll get personalized attention and coaching that's tailored to your skill level. Whether you're working on your casting accuracy or want to learn new retrieval techniques, we've got the time to focus on what matters most to you.
These lakes fish best with a variety of approaches, and we'll switch things up based on conditions and what species we're targeting. For the trout, we often start with trolling setups using downriggers or lead core line to get down to where the lake trout are hanging out in the deeper water. Rainbow and bull trout can be more aggressive, so we'll also spend time casting spoons, spinners, and jigs along structure and drop-offs. The northern pike here are absolute rockets – they love hitting big spoons and spinnerbaits worked through the shallows and weed edges. We provide all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, but if you've got favorite lures that have worked for you before, feel free to bring them along. The key to success on these waters is reading the structure and adjusting your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. We'll teach you how to identify productive water and give you the confidence to fish these techniques on your own.
Rainbow trout in these waters are absolute fighters that'll test your drag system and give you arm-burning runs. Most of our rainbows run between 2-4 pounds, but we see plenty of fish pushing 6-8 pounds, especially later in the season when they've been feeding heavily on baitfish. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love structure like rocky points and submerged logs. What makes catching rainbows here so special is their incredible condition – the cold, clean water keeps them healthy and strong, so even a 3-pound fish will give you a battle you won't forget.
Bull trout are the bruisers of these lakes, and they're becoming a customer favorite for good reason. These native char can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 10 pounds caught regularly. They're ambush predators that like to hang around deeper structure during the day, then move shallow to feed in the evenings. Bull trout have this amazing olive-green coloration with bright orange fins that really pop when you get them to the boat. They fight deep and strong, using their broad tails to power away from the boat. The best part about targeting bulls is they're often mixed in with other species, so you never know what's going to hit your lure.
Northern pike are the apex predators here, and they provide some of the most explosive action you'll experience. These toothy critters love the weedy bays and shallow structure where they can ambush prey. Pike in these lakes commonly reach 30+ inches, with bigger fish lurking in the deeper weed edges. They hit hard and fast, often launching themselves out of the water when hooked. Spring and fall are prime times for pike fishing when they're actively feeding and more aggressive. The adrenaline rush of a big pike exploding on your lure never gets old, and these Yukon fish are some of the healthiest and most aggressive we've encountered.
Brown trout are the selective feeders that'll really test your skills and patience. They tend to be more finicky than other species, but that makes landing one even more rewarding. Browns here average 2-5 pounds but can grow much larger, especially the older fish that have learned to avoid most lures. They're most active during low-light periods and prefer deeper, cooler water during bright days. What's exciting about browns is their intelligence – they'll follow lures, inspect your presentation, and often require a perfect approach to trigger a strike. When you do hook one, they're known for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs.
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists that provide steady action throughout the day. These native char love the cooler depths and can be targeted consistently with proper downrigger techniques. Lakers here range from schooling fish in the 2-4 pound range up to trophy specimens exceeding 20 pounds. They're excellent table fare and fight with a steady, powerful pull that'll keep your rod bent. The beauty of targeting lake trout is their predictability – once you find them at the right depth and temperature, you can often catch multiple fish from the same area. They're particularly active during the cooler months and provide reliable action when surface fishing slows down.
This top-rated fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when all five target species are most active. With personalized guiding and access to some of the Yukon's best fishing waters, you're looking at a world-class day on the water that most anglers only dream about. The combination of pristine lakes, healthy
Your ride to Snafu and Tarfu Lakes is a 16.5-foot 2007 Wooldridge Alaskan Outboard Jet that's built tough for northern waters. This aluminum fishing machine runs on a reliable Yamaha 115 engine and can hit 30 knots when you need to cover water fast. The shallow-draft jet design lets us access those hidden fishing spots other boats can't reach, perfect for chasing Arctic grayling in the shallows or finding where the lake trout are holding. With room for 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast, fight fish, and store your gear. The Wooldridge hull cuts through chop like butter and stays stable when you're battling that fish of a lifetime. Built specifically for Alaska's demanding conditions, this boat handles everything the Yukon can throw at it.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the wariest fish we target - smart, selective, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown sides dotted with black and red spots. Most run 8-24 inches, but the big ones can surprise you at 30+ inches. These European natives love structure: undercut banks, fallen logs, deep pools, and rocky ledges in 54-65°F water. Fall brings the best action when they feed aggressively before winter. Browns are prized for their intelligence and fighting ability - they'll test your skills like no other trout, using cover and current to their advantage. The reward? Some of the best-eating fish you'll find. They're notorious for feeding at dawn, dusk, and even at night. My secret: browns often hold in spots other trout avoid, so fish the gnarliest cover you can find. Use longer leaders and approach quietly - these fish spook easily.
Salvelinus ConfluentusBull trout are the ghosts of deep, cold water - massive char that can hit 30 inches and fight like freight trains. These olive-green predators with distinctive orange spots prefer the deepest, coldest parts of our lakes, usually hugging the bottom in 20+ feet of water. Early morning and late evening are prime times since they're ambush hunters that like to stay hidden. What gets anglers excited? Landing a bull trout is special - they're rare, powerful, and absolutely beautiful with those bright spots and white-tipped fins. The fight is methodical but strong, nothing like the acrobatics of other trout. Here's my go-to approach: use big streamers or spoons and work them slow near the bottom. These fish need clean, cold water to survive, so finding one means you're fishing pristine habitat.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the char family - deep-dwelling heavyweights that can reach 40+ pounds in these northern waters. These grey-green fighters with cream-colored spots live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake, often suspended 30-60 feet down. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best chances when they move shallower. What makes lakers special? Pure size and stamina - they don't jump much but they pull hard and long, testing your drag and patience. The meat's excellent, especially from cold, clean water like ours. Since they prefer low light, overcast days often produce better than sunny ones. Here's the key: vertical jigging with heavy spoons or large swimbaits works best. Drop straight down to where your electronics show fish, then work the lure with sharp lifts and drops. Patience pays off with these deep-water bruisers.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the wolves of these northern lakes - aggressive predators that'll hammer your lure without warning. These green torpedoes average 2-4 feet and pack serious attitude with razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes. Look for them lurking in weedy bays, around fallen timber, or near drop-offs where they ambush prey. Summer fishing can be fantastic when they move to deeper, cooler water during the heat of the day. Pike are pure adrenaline - they hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up easy. That first explosive strike will get your heart pumping every time. The meat's decent too, just watch those Y-bones. Pro tip: use a steel leader and don't set the hook on the first hit. Pike often grab prey sideways, so let them run a bit before setting up. Keep your fingers clear of those teeth when landing them.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are one of our most rewarding catches, averaging 8-24 inches with that signature pink stripe along their silvery sides. These beauties love cold, clean water between 55-64°F, so they thrive in Snafu and Tarfu's crystal-clear depths. You'll find them cruising near rocky shorelines and drop-offs, especially during cooler parts of the day. Spring through early fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on insects and small fish. What makes them special? They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and run, plus they taste fantastic grilled with some lemon. Here's a local tip: when the surface is calm at dawn or dusk, watch for rises and cast just upstream of the rings. These fish are smart, so a gentle presentation beats heavy-handed tactics every time.
Whitehorse, Yukon