Best Times & Seasons to Fish in the Yukon (Full Guide)

The Yukon offers some of the best fishing in northern Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in the Yukon can greatly impact your success.

Salmon fishing on the Yukon River is best from June to August, while trout and Dolly Varden are most active from May to September, peaking in July. Lake trout fishing is productive in June and July.

Month	Yukon Fishing Location
January	Fish for Lake Trout in Dezadeash Lake.
February	Try ice fishing for Northern Pike in the McClusky Lake.
March	Look for Grayling in the Nisutlin River.
April	Head to Teslin River for early-season Pike.
May	Fish for Rainbow Trout in Wheaton River.
June	Explore the Yukon River for Salmon like Chinook and Sockeye.
July	Try fishing for Arctic Grayling in the Klondike River.
August	Fish for Salmon in the Teslin River.
September	Target Northern Pike in Kusawa Lake.
October	Look for Lake Trout in Lake Laberge.
November	Head to the Takhini River for Whitefish.
December	Try ice fishing for Burbot in Marsh Lake.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Yukon. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing is on a month-by-month basis.

Uncover the best periods for fishing in Canada, including insights into salt and freshwater fishing, with this comprehensive guide.

A happy sport fisherman holding up a big trophy Chum Salmon

Best Times: Creeks/Rivers to Fish in Yukon

Teslin River (June to August): Targeting Northern Pike.

Yukon River near Whitehorse (June to August): Targeting Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho Salmon.

Nisutlin River (June to September): Targeting Grayling.

Wheaton River (May to September): Targeting Rainbow Trout.

Watson River (August to September): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Swift River (July to August): Targeting Lake Trout.

Klondike River (June to August): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Teslin Lake (June to August): Targeting Lake Trout.

McClusky Lake (February to March): Targeting Northern Pike.

Kusawa Lake (May to September): Targeting Northern Pike.

Kluane Lake (June to August): Targeting Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Lake Laberge (June to October): Targeting Lake Trout.

Marsh Lake (April to November): Targeting Northern Pike and Burbot.

Kluhini River (June to September): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Blackstone River (July to September): Targeting Lake Trout.

Donjek River (July to August): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Ethel Lake (June to August): Targeting Lake Trout.

Nordenskiold River (July to September): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Takhini River (June to September): Targeting Arctic Grayling and Whitefish.

M’Clintock River (July to August): Targeting Arctic Grayling.

Best Times: Lake Fishing in Yukon

Kluane Lake (June to August): Catch Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Teslin Lake (June to August): Target Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Lake Laberge (June to October): Fish for Lake Trout.

Emerald Lake (May to September): Find Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Fox Lake (June to September): Catch Lake Trout.

Tagish Lake (June to August): Target Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Atlin Lake (June to September): Look for Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Marsh Lake (May to November): Find Northern Pike and Burbot.

Little Atlin Lake (June to September): Target Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Ethel Lake (June to August): Fish for Lake Trout.

Nordenskiold River (July to September): Catch Arctic Grayling.

Frances Lake (June to September): Find Lake Trout.

Kathleen Lake (June to September): Look for Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Drury Lake (June to August): Target Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Dezadeash Lake (June to August): Catch Lake Trout.

Annie Lake (June to September): Find Lake Trout.

Chadburn Lake (June to August): Look for Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Bennett Lake (June to September): Catch Lake Trout and Whitefish.

Bove Island Lake (June to August): Target Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Wolf Lake (June to September): Find Lake Trout.

Check out this helpful guide for picking the best times to fish in Quebec. You may also like this article on the best times to fish in Toronto.

Best Times: Top 20 Best Fishing Locations in Yukon

Yukon River: Fish for Salmon (June to August), especially Chinook and Coho.

Teslin River: Target Northern Pike (June to August).

Klondike River: Find Arctic Grayling (June to August).

Watson River: Look for Arctic Grayling (June to August).

Nisutlin River: Catch Grayling (June to September).

Wheaton River: Seek Rainbow Trout (May to September).

Dezadeash Lake: Fish Lake Trout (June to August).

Kathleen Lake: Target Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling (June, September).

Annie Lake: Find Lake Trout (June, September).

Kluhini River: Look for Arctic Grayling (June to September).

Kluane Lake: Fish Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling (June to August).

Lake Laberge: Seek Lake Trout (June to October).

Marsh Lake: Find Northern Pike and Burbot (April to November).

Fox Lake: Look for Lake Trout (June to September).

Tagish Lake: Target Lake Trout and Northern Pike (June to August).

Atlin Lake: Fish Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout (June to September).

Ethel Lake: Look for Lake Trout (June to August).

Frances Lake: Target Lake Trout (June to September).

Chadburn Lake: Find Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling (June to August).

Wolf Lake: Seek Lake Trout (June to September).

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Rainbow Trout

The best months for fishing rainbow trout in Yukon are May to September when it’s warmer. Early mornings and late afternoons are good times, as trout feed more.

Some top spots include Kathleen Lake in June and September, Annie Lake in June and September, Wolf Lake from June to September, and Dezadeash Lake from June to August.

Cutthroat Trout

The best months for cutthroat trout fishing in Yukon are June to September when the weather is warmer. Early mornings and late afternoons are good times to catch them, as they’re most active then.

Some top places to fish for cutthroat trout include Teslin River, Klondike River, Kluhini River, and Watson River.

Lake Trout

The best months to fish for lake trout in Yukon are June to August when it’s warmer. Early mornings and late afternoons are great times to catch them as they feed actively. Look for them in places like Kluane Lake, Lake Laberge, Fox Lake, and Chadburn Lake.

Arctic Char

If you want to fish for Arctic Char in Yukon, the best time is usually from late summer to early fall. August and September are the best months for this. The fish are most active during early morning and late afternoon, so those are good times to go. Some of the best places to find Arctic Char in Yukon are the Firth River, the Rat River, and Fishing Branch River.

Arctic Grayling

Fishing for Arctic Grayling in Yukon is best from late spring to early fall, just like Dolly Varden. The best months are usually from May to September. Early morning and late afternoon are great times to fish because the grayling are most active. Catch Arctic Grayling in the Yukon include the Big Salmon River, Pelly River, and Kusawa Lake.

Dolly Varden

The best time to fish for Dolly Varden in Yukon is late spring through early fall. May to September are good months to go fishing. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times of day because the fish are more active then.

As for locations, the Yukon River is a popular spot. The Alsek and Teslin rivers are good places to catch Dolly Varden.

Whitefish

For Whitefish in Yukon, the good months to go fishing are from late spring to early fall, from May to September. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to fish, as the fish are more active during these hours.

Some top spots for catching Whitefish include the Yukon River, Lake Laberge, and Kluane Lake. These locations are well-known for having a good number of Whitefish.

Chinook Salmon

The best time to catch Chinook Salmon in the Yukon is in the summer, especially from June to July. Early morning and late afternoon are the top times to fish because that’s when the salmon are most likely to bite.

Some of the best places to find Chinook Salmon are the Yukon River, especially near Whitehorse, and the Takhini River. The Klondike River is another good spot to try.

Coho Salmon

For Coho Salmon in Yukon, the best time to go fishing is in late summer and early fall. The best months are usually August and September. Like other fish, early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish because that’s when the fish are more active. Some top spots to catch Coho Salmon in Yukon are the Yukon River, the White River, and the Stewart River.

Sockeye Salmon

If you want to fish for Sockeye Salmon in the Yukon, the best months are usually in late summer, around July and August. The best times of day are early morning and late afternoon because that’s when the fish are most likely to be active. Some of the best places to catch Sockeye Salmon are the Alsek River, the Tatshenshini River, and parts of the Yukon River.

Chum Salmon

For Chum Salmon in the Yukon, the best time to go fishing is from late summer to early fall, so think about going in August and September. Early mornings and late afternoons are the top times to fish because the fish are usually more active then. Good places to find Chum Salmon include the Yukon River, the Porcupine River, and the Stewart River.

Northern Pike

The best times to catch northern pike in the Yukon are late spring to early fall, so May to September are good months to consider. Northern pike are most active during early morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to fish. Some great spots for Northern Pike fishing in the Yukon include Lake Laberge, Little Atlin Lake, and the Teslin River.

Best Fishing in the Yukon on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

In winter, Yukon gets cold, but you can still go ice fishing. Here are the 4 best spots and the fish you can catch:

Lake Laberge: You can ice fish for Northern Pike here.
Kluane Lake: Whitefish can be caught through the ice in this lake during winter.
Little Atlin Lake: Another good spot for Northern Pike.
Teslin Lake: You can also find Whitefish here during the winter. It’s a popular spot for ice fishing.

Spring

In the springtime in Yukon, the fishing season starts getting exciting. Here are the 4 best locations and what fish you can catch:

Yukon River: This river is great for catching Whitefish in the spring, especially from May to early June.
Big Salmon River: You can catch Arctic Grayling here. May is a good month to start, and the fish stay active into early summer.
Lake Laberge: Northern Pike are a good catch in this lake during the spring months. May is especially good as the fish become more active.
Pelly River: This is another good place for Arctic Grayling. Late spring is a good time, so consider going in May or early June.

Summer

In the summer, Yukon becomes hot. Here are the 4 best spots and the fish you can catch during those warm months:

Yukon River: This river is awesome for Chinook Salmon in June and July.
Takhini River: Another great place for Chinook Salmon. June and July are the best months to catch them.
Kusawa Lake: This lake is great for Arctic Grayling. You can fish here from May through September, but summer is especially good.
Alsek River: If you like Sockeye Salmon, try fishing here in July and August. The fish are active during early morning and late afternoon.

Fall

Yukon River: You can catch Chum Salmon here, especially in August and September.
Stewart River: Another good spot for Chum Salmon. August and September are the best time to fish.
Lake Laberge: If you like Northern Pike, this lake is a must-visit in the fall. These fish are most active in early morning and late afternoon.
Alsek River: This is a great place for Sockeye Salmon, especially in July and August. Make sure you go either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.