Prime Saltwater Fishing
Experience the natural beauty of our 49th state when you visit us at Yes Bay Lodge. Sitting on a breathtaking location just off British Columbia, our lodge is perfect for freshwater and saltwater fishing in Southeast Alaska. With prime saltwater fishing spots just a 20-minute boat ride away, we are the destination for amateur fishermen, pros, and everyone in between. Let our guides take you where the fish are always biting, and discover the fishing that Yes Bay Lodge is famous for!
Fishing around Yes Bay Lodge is defined as an almost religious experience, and for a good reason. Our location is just 10 minutes from the mouth of the Bay, where you’ll find countless species of salmon, halibut, ling cod, and rock fish. We are the only Alaska lodge that features 2-4 anglers per private boat, ensuring you receive personal attention throughout your trip.
Our Vessels
For decades, Yes Bay Lodge used custom-built, canopy-covered Olympic boats. At twenty feet in length and powered by 90 HP Yamaha four strokes, they were designed for two-angler comfort and fishing efficiency.
In 2014, we started replacing our fleet of Olympics with custom-built Silver Streaks, which are aluminum, hardtop boats for your fishing comfort. They operate with 150 HP Mercury motors and are the ultimate 2-3 person fishing machine.
By popular demand, Yes Bay Lodge also has three four-angler vessels in the fleet. In 2008, the lodge added a beautiful 27-foot Boston Whaler. Powered by twin 250 HP Yamaha outboards, it can get you to the fishing grounds in a hurry and in comfort. In 2021, a 26-foot Hewescraft rounded out the fleet, and it was such a hit with guests, that we added a second Hewescraft in 2022. These boats are designed to fish up to four anglers with ease and can carry up to six people for sightseeing trips. They are great for families with children, as well.
Our Gear
Your guide will be utilizing Ugly Stick salmon rods and smooth, dependable Penn reels for trolling. Stout Ugly Stick halibut rods and Penn reels are the tools you’ll use for large bottom fish. You also have the option of setting traps for Dungeness Crab and Alaskan Spot Prawns, which you may either pack home or have prepared as an extra course with dinner (we recommend doing both during your stay!). With only 2-4 anglers per private boat, your captain will tailor your trip to assure your ideal fishing adventure.
A Typical Day at Yes Bay Lodge
Your tour begins in your hometown with flights to arrive in Ketchikan, Alaska, no later than 4:30 p.m. We arrange all of our transports out to the lodge for mid-afternoon via floatplane or boat (depending on scheduling, weather, wind and water conditions). With a wide variety of arrival flight options into Ketchikan, we have our guests submit their individual travel itinerary to us 60 days prior to their visit, so that we can custom tailor a transport plan that works best. Of course, Mother Nature has the final say in any plan around here, and safety is our top priority, so we stay in close contact with our guests regarding their particular transport plans, ensuring that everybody arrives happily to the lodge.
Upon your highly anticipated arrival, our crew will greet you at the Yes Bay Lodge dock and assist you with your luggage. You’ll get checked in with the office and settled into your room in time for Happy Hour, followed by a wonderful dinner. You also have an opportunity to meet your guide and discuss your goals to make your Alaska Adventure everything you want. Our entire team strives to customize your experience to surpass your expectations.
We offer saltwater fishing for salmon, halibut, rock fish and other species. You may choose to spend a day or half day freshwater fishing in one of the local streams, or you can opt to fly to one of the high mountain lakes in the area for some fishing or hiking. There are also trips to local hot springs and the hatchery for bear viewing during the season. Discuss your goals with your guide – we are here to help you realize your Alaska dreams!
Your Day on the Water
Breakfast: A self-service coffee and cold breakfast buffet is available at 5:30 a.m. each morning. Hot breakfast is served to you in the lodge dining room starting at 6:30 a.m.
Your Trip Starts: Head down to the dock to meet your guide and head out for your day’s planned saltwater fishing activities at 7 a.m. Please note that boats cannot leave the dock until 7 a.m. Your guide will have the day planned out based on your preferences and the fish that are available, choosing to fish for certain species based on tides, location, and weather.
In for Lunch: If you have chosen to return to the lodge for a hot lunch, you will return at 11:30 a.m. Our dock crew will take pictures, and your guide will clean your fish while you enjoy a hot lunch in the dining room. After lunch, you return to the dock to meet your guide for afternoon fishing.
Stay Out for Lunch: If you have chosen to stay out for lunch and maximize your fishing time, you will pull into a quiet cove for some protection and enjoy your ordered lunch. Of course, if the fishing is hot, you are free to keep your lines in the water and eat while you fish!
End of Day: Your fishing day ends at 5:00 p.m., when all boats are required to return to the dock. After pictures, you will have plenty of time to get back up to the lodge to freshen up before “Happy Hour” in the lounge, where you are rewarded with a delightful appetizer buffet while enjoying your favorite glass of wine, cocktail or soft drink.
Dinner: At about 6:30 p.m., your server will invite you to the dining room for a wonderful, scratch-made, three-course dinner. Afterward, relax on the deck, enjoy the view of Yes Bay with your favorite after-dinner glass of wine, cocktail, or soft drink, while sharing your day’s fishing tales with newfound friends.
HOW DO I GET MY FISH HOME?
Each day, when you return from fishing, we process, vacuum-pack, and flash-freeze your fish before packing tightly into airline-approved, wet-lock fish boxes labeled with your name and address for you to take home as checked luggage. You can also arrange at the lodge to have your fish shipped home through a third party, using FedEx overnight delivery.
Yes Bay Lodge is NOT responsible for fish boxes upon departure from our dock.
This includes a loss of fish boxes caused by third party mishandling, flight delays, or incidents resulting from inclement weather or any other conditions beyond our control.
While at the lodge, your fish boxes are stored in our freezer at -6°F until your departure. This process typically allows for about a 12-hour travel time in moderate temperatures. Some partial thawing can be expected, but if returned to a freezer immediately upon arrival home, this is generally not a problem.
When summer temperatures exceed 80°F, airport ramps can sometimes reach up to 140°F or higher! If you are traveling to a particularly warm climate, or if your itinerary is 12+ hours, we highly recommend guests research satisfactory transport solutions appropriate to their travel needs.
PLEASE NOTE: Dry ice is not a viable solution due to Alaska shipping regulations, nor is adding ice packs to fish boxes (fish frozen at -6°F serves much better as its own ice pack).
