Guided Fishing on Haida Gwaii's Rich Waters
Shared Trip
River Fishing
MondayFriday guided fishing trips in Haida Gwaii watersProfessional fleet with 26foot Tyee and Chinook class vesselsAdvanced safety equipment and quality fishing gear included
If you're looking for some of the best salmon fishing in British Columbia, Queen Charlotte Lodge's Monday-Friday guided fishing trips put you right in the heart of Haida Gwaii's legendary waters. These aren't your typical day trips – we're talking about five solid days of chasing chinook and coho salmon in some of the most productive fishing grounds on the West Coast. Our experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while sharing stories that'll keep you entertained between strikes. Whether you're a seasoned angler or still learning the ropes, this trip gives you the perfect blend of expert guidance and hands-on fishing action.
Your guide will pick you up bright and early each morning, and you'll head out on one of QCL's top-rated fishing vessels. We've got three different boat classes to choose from, depending on conditions and your preferences. The Tyee Class boats are our workhorses – 26-foot beasts with 300 hp engines that can handle whatever Haida Gwaii throws at them. These boats give you plenty of room to move around and fight fish, plus they've got options for full coverage when the weather gets sketchy. If you prefer something a bit more nimble, our Chinook Class includes those sweet Grady White 232s that are perfect for getting into tighter spots where the fish like to hang out. The newer 22-foot Coho Class boats are another solid option that balances comfort with fishability. Every single boat comes loaded with quality gear, so you don't need to stress about bringing your own setup unless you've got a lucky rod you can't fish without.
Most of your fishing time will be spent trolling, which is hands-down the most effective way to cover water and find active salmon in these parts. Your guide will set you up with downriggers and divers to get your lures down to the right depth where the fish are feeding. We're talking about running everything from spoons and plugs to herring in teaser heads – whatever's working that day. The beauty of guided trips is that your guide already knows which colors and presentations are producing, so you're not wasting time experimenting. You'll learn how to read the electronics, watch for bait balls, and recognize the subtle signs that separate good fishing spots from great ones. The boats are equipped with state-of-the-art fish finders and GPS units, which means your guide can put you back on productive water day after day. Don't worry about bringing tackle – we've got everything you need, from the heavy gear for big chinook to the lighter setups that make coho fishing so much fun.
Chinook salmon are the main attraction here, and for good reason. These are the kings of the salmon world, with fish regularly hitting 20, 30, even 40 pounds in these waters. Chinook tend to hold deeper than other salmon species, often hanging around 80 to 150 feet down where they're ambushing baitfish. The best fishing usually happens during the summer months when the fish are staging before their spawning runs. What makes chinook so special is their incredible fighting ability – once you hook into a big king, you're in for a battle that can last 20 minutes or more. They'll make long runs, jump, and do everything they can to throw that hook. Landing a trophy chinook is something every angler should experience at least once, and Haida Gwaii consistently produces some of the biggest kings on the West Coast.
Coho salmon bring a completely different kind of excitement to your fishing day. These silver bullets are absolute acrobats once they feel the hook, jumping clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. Coho typically run smaller than chinook, usually in the 8 to 15 pound range, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure athletic ability. They tend to feed closer to the surface, especially early morning and late evening, which means you'll often see them crashing bait right at the boat. July through September is prime time for coho fishing, when they're feeding heavily and putting on weight before heading to their natal streams. The great thing about coho is their willingness to hit a variety of lures – they're aggressive feeders that will smash everything from bright spoons to small plugs. Many anglers actually prefer the coho fight because it's so visual and energetic.
This Monday-Friday guided fishing package gives you five full days to dial in on what Haida Gwaii salmon fishing is all about. You'll work with experienced guides who've been fishing these waters for years, learn techniques that you can use anywhere you fish for salmon, and hopefully land some fish that'll give you stories to tell for years to come. The single-angler format means you get personalized attention from your guide and don't have to share the boat with strangers who might have different fishing goals. With chinook and coho both running strong during the season, you've got excellent chances of getting into multiple species and experiencing the full range of what makes salmon fishing so addictive. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing weeks fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the Pacific, regularly hitting 20-30 pounds in our waters with some pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers have black spots across their backs and distinctive black mouths. They're bottom huggers, staying deep in 60-150 feet of water during the day since they're sensitive to light. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up to feed on herring, pilchards, and squid. What makes kings special is that pure power - they'll strip line and test your drag like nothing else. The meat is rich and orange-red, perfect for the BBQ. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your bait right on the bottom using a good downrigger setup. Kings feed down there, and that's where you'll connect with the big ones.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of our waters, known for their wild jumps and aggressive fights. These 8-12 pounders have bright silver sides with dark blue-green backs, and they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them in 20-80 feet, often near structure or drop-offs where baitfish gather. Coho love to chase moving targets, making them perfect for trolling spoons and plugs. They're active feeders throughout the day, hitting everything from herring to small squid. The bright orange meat is top-notch eating. What guests love most is that aerial show - coho will jump repeatedly, making every hookup a real battle. Local trick: try bright chartreuse or pink lures on overcast days. Coho can't resist that flash of color.
Vancouver