Yukon: when and where to go?
 

Hi,
This year we would like to fly to Whitehorse and look for some good fly fishing. Anytime between May and September is good for us. Our plan is to fly to Whitehorse, rent a car and fish for a few days. Right now I'm looking for options: peak season for each species, where to go within a few hours of Whitehoses, etc.

Any info to help us start planning will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Years ago when at Kluane, the ice came off around June 10

What species are you after?

When I lived in Whitehorse, some of the places I liked...

Moraine lake 60.927554, -136.759584 - lake trout - arctic grayling - pike
Took some large grayling on dry flies. Probably need a 4X4 to get to.

Kusawa Lake 60.412501, -136.295782 - near the river mouth for grayling.

Fox lake is great/beautifull. 61.199021, -135.425724

TARFU lake 60.068010, -133.745737 - mostly pike, but very clean cold water pike.

Cantlie Lake 60.664371, -134.833384 behind Grey Mtn. from Whitehorse has Arctic Char. You can hike/quad to it on a trail off the grey mtn. road.

Chadburn lake is real close 60.646920, -134.952817, I forget what we fished for there.

The smallish pond at a small hydro damn nearby had trout. 60.724086, -135.166174 I think it was stocked. Always fun with dry flies.

All this is based on memories from 20 years ago. Times have changed I'm sure, but I'd bet the fishing is still good. Regs may have changed too, and I can't guarantee which of these still allows what types of fishing.

Lived in Whitehorse early 70’s as a kid (5-8). Old man would take us fishing to Marsh Lake. Caught my first Northern pike from the dock (12lbs). Parents were partying with there friends. I latched onto this big fish. Dragged him to shore. I was excited carried the fish to camp. Parents were in shock. Good times. :sHa_shakeshout:

I lived up there for 3 years. Big country and rivers are difficult to reach, but there are a few places within easy reach.

1) Highway to Haines Junction - on the road into Kusawa Lake - approx. half way to the lake campground, there will be a campsite - say 12-15km's off the highway. You'll come to a campground, park, and straight down the embankment, the grayling hold in good numbers. These grayling are small, but plentiful.

2)Again highway towards Haines Junction, if you drive into Aishihik lake - there's two spots. First is Otter Falls - turn off of the highway will be just before Canyon Creek (I believe that's the name of the store/campground). From there, it be 20km's or so. Right at the falls you can catch small rainbow and grayling. Working down the river, you'll get into a few bigger fish. Second spot would be to drive all the way into Aishihik Lake (approx. 40km's ??). From there, you'll see where the outflow of the lake dumps into a the start of the river - there will be a dyke. Cross over the bridge at the dyke, and the hole is loaded with Grayling.

3) Approx 8-10km's south of Haines Junction, the river flwoing out of Kathleen Lake holds rainbows and grayling again. You'll see the corner just downstream of the bridge crossing. Also, where the river dumps into the lake approx. 1km downstream will also hold fish. This spot is pretty popular though, so mid-week would be best to hit this spot.