Prince Edward Island Giant Bluefin Fishing Guide

Giant bluefin tuna come close to shore off Prince Edward Island in late summer and fall to feed on herring and mackerel. Licensed charter boats take anglers out for a few hours to fight fish that often weigh well over 500 pounds, and most fish are tagged and released. The fishery is run by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), with set seasons, trip logs and safe-handling training for licence holders.

📍 Prince Edward Island, Canada, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Charter boats run from North Lake Harbour on the east end, and from other ports such as Tignish, Souris, North Rustico and Covehead Harbour.

Map: spots, ramps and marinas

★ Fishing hot spot · ● Boat ramp · ● Marina · ▭ Protected area (solid red = no fishing, dashed = fishing with rules)

Open the full Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI map →

Quick facts

North Lake calls itself the 'Tuna Capital of the World'; the first tuna was landed there in 1967.
Most PEI giants run about 500 to 800 pounds; some top 1,000 pounds.
The 2026 PEI catch-and-release bluefin season, set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), runs July 1 to October 31.
The Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge, a catch-and-release event at North Lake, has run every year since 1972.
The all-tackle world record bluefin, 1,496 pounds, was caught by Ken Fraser off Port Hood, Nova Scotia, on October 26, 1979.

What you can catch

Atlantic bluefin tuna
The main target; mostly catch and release from licensed charter boats, July to October.
Atlantic mackerel
Used as live bait; tuna licence holders may keep up to 20 live mackerel per trip for bait.
Atlantic cod
Found in PEI harbours and bays.
Flounder
Caught in harbours and bays around the island.
Striped bass
Fished around Hillsborough and other tidal waters.
Brook trout
Freshwater option; Morell area is one known spot.
Steelhead
Souris River is one known spot.

Month by month

January	No tuna season. Book charters early for the coming summer.
February	No tuna season.
March	No tuna season.
April	No tuna season.
May	No tuna season.
June	DFO announces the season (2026 notice issued June 18).
July	2026 catch-and-release season opens July 1. Some operators start mid-July.
August	Charter fishing for giants; many captains say mid-August to late October is the main window.
September	Herring arrive in good numbers (often mid-September), which can bring tuna in close.
October	Late-season giants; 2026 season closes October 31.
November	Season closed.
December	Season closed.

Tips

Book with a licensed PEI charter operator; the boat holds the DFO tuna licence and follows its conditions.
Expect a long fight; a big fish can take an hour or more on 130-pound-class gear.
Charters often fish live mackerel on circle hooks, and the crew handles the fish at the side of the boat.
Let the crew measure, tag, photograph and revive the fish quickly; keep it in the water.
Bring seasickness pills and warm, waterproof layers; fall weather in the Gulf can turn fast.

Rules and license

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Gulf Region · Official rules page ↗

2026 PEI catch-and-release bluefin season: July 1 to October 31, under DFO's national guidelines for the catch-and-release bluefin fishery.
Licence holders must complete mandatory safe fish handling training; new fishers must register with DFO first.
Before each trip, boats must hail out to DFO's 'Answer 365' system at least one hour before leaving (1-833-699-2013).
A log sheet must be filled out after each trip and sent to DFO weekly; DFO reports the data to ICCAT.
Licence holders may catch and keep up to 20 live mackerel per trip for bait.
A separate 2026 catch-and-retain charter fishery (July 1 to October 31, or earlier if the quota runs out) is open only to eligible operators in areas 4RST and 4WD: rod and reel only, max four lines with one hook each, one trip per day, every fish tagged, and 100% dockside and electronic monitoring.
Hook rules, handling details and catch limits are in each licence's conditions: check with DFO Charlottetown (782-377-2235).

Rules change. Always check the official page before you fish.

Boat ramps and marinas

The map above shows 33 boat ramps and 7 marinas from OpenStreetMap. Tap any dot for directions.

Cassie Cape Wharf
Charlottetown Yacht Club
Johnstons River Boat Ramp
Marina de La Brèche
Marina de la Pointe-du-Chêne
Quai-Cap-Cocagne
Souris Marina
Stanley Bridge Wharf
Sunrise Shore Marina

Sources

Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every number on this page comes from the sources listed above.