Prince Edward Island

Deep Sea Fishing in PEI – Tuna Fishing

Until you have gone on a deep-sea fishing expedition and cast your own line into the deep blue waters off the coast of Prince Edward Island, you can never truly appreciate fresh seafood. Whether you have set your sights on a mackerel dinner, want to battle a giant Bluefin tuna or are lured by the mystery of shark fishing, boat captains all around the province are anxious to turn your adventurous dreams into reality.

Most fishing charters operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait are targeted towards mackerel, and run from early July through September. These family-friendly charters run about 3½ hours. For those who prefer a more adventurous time, we suggest tuna or shark angling. Shark fishing is a popular option as charters head out to the cooler waters of the channel; sharks are rarely seen close to the shore. Because sharks don’t frequent Island coastal waters until late summer, these charters start taking bookings around September. For anglers wanting something a little earlier, tuna fishing is the way to go. The season begins by the middle of the July and carries on well into the fall, as tuna is not restricted by a fixed season.

Tuna are a big-game sport fish – if you happen to hook a tuna, be ready for a fight that could last up to three hours. Tuna often pull so hard that the captain will have to start his boat and pull against your prey, sometimes travelling up to nine kilometres (six miles) in an attempt to wear down a large tuna. There’s a good chance that you may not even see your quarry until you have drawn it up to the boat as tuna make every attempt to stay deep in the water.

Keep in mind, though, that if you do land a tuna, you are not permitted to bring it home with you. The license belongs to the boat you are fishing from and the captain will be the sole owner of your catch. However, should you bring in a tuna you will not only get a free charter for the day but will also have experienced one of the greatest thrills known to the sport of fishing.

Tuna charters can be booked from several locations on the Island, including North Lake, also known as “The Tuna Capital of the World.”

Prince Edward Island waters are teeming with fish; tuna especially has seen an apparent resurgence in numbers. Our many charter captains will supply the boats, gear, bait and know-how, while all you have to bring along is the willingness to have a whole lot of fun.