The Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in the world and is located at the head of Yakutat Bay.  The glacier is 75 miles long, has a face 6 miles wide and up to 400 feet high.  It is one of the most active glaciers in the world.  It has been known to travel up to 36 feet in a single day. Hubbard Glacier continues to advance and threatens to close off the entrance to Russell Fjord which will turn it into a freshwater lake. If this happens, the water is expected to eventually overflow into the Yakutat Foreland creating a braided river system that will overtake the Situk River and its tributaries. Just west of Yakutat the Malaspina Glacier appear as a huge white ice field and is part of what makes the Yakutat area the most glaciated area of North America.

          Yakutat is located in Monti Bay on the south shore of Yakutat Bay approximately 2 miles from its mouth. Monti Bay is the only sheltered deep water port within 100 miles.  Barges, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries and other cargo and fish processing vessels use this port regularly to deliver goods, pick up supplies and transport visitors to the area.  Monti Bay is bordered on the northwest side by Khantaak Island, the site of the original village of Yakutat.

Just outside of this island is some of the best early season fishing for the wily silver salmon. From Yakutat to the north and east are an array of islands that create protected waters for exploring, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing from skiffs or kayaks.

          Fish for halibut, ling cod, black cod, king salmon, and silver salmon in Yakutat Bay from charters or rental skiffs. Unlike many other Alaskan destinations, fishing for halibut in Yakutat is usually just 45 minutes from the dock in 50-150 feet of water. While seeking the large flatfish, by-catch can be ling cod, black cod, and even salmon. On your charter day, choose to make salmon fishing your priority and land a nice king salmon or box 6 silvers for each person on the boat.

For more information about Yakutat, call the lodge at 877-925-3474 and order “The Place in Alaska Called Yakutat” on DVD for $13 & plus $5 shipping/handling. Thank you to Ted Heikell, writer, producer, and moderator of the DVD for information about Yakutat.