Tofte Charters - Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we meet?
We meet at Taconite Harbor Public Access and Safe Harbor.
How should we dress?
Temperature on Lake Superior tends to be cooler than on shore, so at least a sweat shirt or wind breaker are always recommended. Dress in layers to adjust for the varying weather conditions.
Do kids have to wear life jackets?
Yes, Federal law requires kids 12 & under to wear life jackets. I do have various sizes of life jackets available for kids. However, I do recommend bringing along your child’s life jacket if possible. Most kids are more comfortable in a life jacket they are used to wearing.
Who needs a fishing license?
All people 16 & older wanting to fish need a valid fishing license. A trout stamp is required to fish Lake Superior, except if you
are less than 19 or more than 65 years of age or if you purchased a 24 hour fishing license.
The closest fishing license retailer to Taconite Harbor is the Holiday gas station in Tofte (5.5 miles).
Fishing licenses can also be purchased online at anytime, click here - MN DNR Online Fishing Licenses
What kind of fish do we catch?
We catch 5 different species of fish: lake
trout, king (chinook) salmon, coho (silver) salmon, pink salmon & steelhead (rainbow trout).
We catch lake trout all summer long. Salmon migrate and are usually in our area from mid July – mid
August. Steelhead are caught occasionally all summer.
How big are the fish?
Lake trout average about 2 – 3 pounds, but we do catch them into the 20lb range. King salmon are usually 3 – 6lbs with an occasional fish caught 10lbs+. Coho salmon are usually 3 – 4lbs. Pink salmon are quite small (less than 2lbs) and we don´t target this species, but do catch them accidentally. Steelhead range from 5 – 8lbs with an occasional fish 10lbs+.
Can we keep fish? What are the limits?
Yes, lake trout and salmon are great table fare. You can keep 3 lake trout and 5 salmon per person. Steelhead are protected and need to be returned to the water immediately. I encourage you to keep as many fish as you can utilize within the legal limits.
What do we do with the fish?
Once we return to the dock, your catch will be cleaned and packaged in Ziplocks for you to take home. You will need to provide a cooler with ice to keep your catch cold during transport and extra Ziplocks if you want to split the fish into meal sized portions before freezing. Fish is best when eaten fresh, freeze your catch as soon as possible if not consumed within 3 days of being caught. Cleaning services are provided free of charge.
Are we guaranteed to catch fish?
We do not guarantee that you will catch fish. Sorry that is why they call it fishing. It is considered bad luck to ask about getting skunked before you catch the first fish. Feel free to ask the Captain about this topic after the first fish is landed. We do have an excellent record of catching fish.
How far out do you go?
Most fishing is done within 1 mile of the shoreline and we travel up or down the coast. When we do go off shore we are usually 2 – 5 miles from shore. We are never too far out into the lake that we can´t see shore (excluding foggy days).
How many people can go along?
Tofte Charters II can accommodate 5 passengers (not counting the captain).
Is there a bathroom onboard?
Yes, inside our enclosed cabin is a porta potty style bathroom. #1 only please.
Is your boat handicap accessible?
Unfortunately no.
Do you allow dogs onboard?
Sorry pets do need to stay on shore.