Sky Kings and Silver Fish: Watching Eagles Hunt Hake in Gillard Pass
I have seen bald eagles do many impressive things—soaring, screeching, looking deeply symbolic on Royal Mint collectable coins—but this week, I watched them fish. Not just swoop-and-grab fishing, but full-on, buffet-style, synchronized hunting. I was staying at the spectacular Dent Island Lodge, nestled in the tidal drama of British Columbia’s Inside Passage. I had the rare opportunity to witness one of the coast’s most thrilling natural spectacles: eagles hunting hake.
The Setting: Nature’s Amphitheatre
Let me set the scene. Dent Island is tucked just northeast of Campbell River, past Stuart Island and perched near the tumultuous Gillard, Aaron and Dent rapids. These narrow, rocky passages aren’t just great for thrilling jet boat rides or staring slack-jawed at whirlpools—they’re also perfect hunting grounds.
Each year, between May and July, vast schools of Hake (also known as Pacific Hake or Pacific Whiting fish) journey into these fast-moving tidal rapids. Hake are deep-water fish, but something strange happens when they get caught in strong upwellings and pressure shifts caused by massive tidal currents. The rapid changes in water pressure cause the gas in their swim bladders to expand. The result? They float—helplessly—up to the surface. It’s kind of like fishy popcorn for the eagles.
The Adventure: A Front Row Seat
I was lucky enough to head out on the water with one of Dent Island Lodge’s expert fishing guides, who knew exactly where to go and when. We set off mid-morning and cruised into the heart of Gillard Pass right as the tide was doing its thing—ripping, swirling, and churning like Poseidon’s blender.
And there they were: the eagles. Dozens of them. Perched on high branches, clustered on the jagged shoreline, and wheeling overhead like the world’s most majestic drone squad. At first glance, it looked like they were chilling, but within minutes, the show began.
Eagle Strategy: The Hunt in Action
It wasn’t chaotic—it was coordinated. One by one, the eagles launched themselves from the treetops and circled above the water. Then, with pinpoint precision, they folded their wings and dove.
SPLASH.
Claws out, wings wide, a hake wriggling in the air. Then another. And another. Sometimes they’d miss, skim the surface, shake it off, and try again. One eagle even snagged two fish in one swoop and had to awkwardly decide which one to keep, dropping the smaller one mid-flight like a diva rejecting a subpar canapé.
It was primal and elegant all at once. There’s something deeply humbling about watching apex predators do what they do best. And here’s the kicker—this phenomenon only happens in a few places and for just a few weeks each year. It’s like nature’s version of a secret concert.
The Hake: Unsuspecting Stars of the Show
Let’s talk about the hake. They are not exactly the poster child of Pacific fish, but they’re often overlooked in favour of salmon and halibut. But these soft-bodied swimmers are crucial to the marine food web. Commercially, they’re used in fish sticks, imitation crab, and anything that says “white fish” on the label. But for eagles? They’re fast food. When the tidal currents do their thing and the hake rise like confetti, it’s basically a smorgasbord.
The shiny and soft fish make them easy to grab and swallow whole. And because they float at the surface, eagles don’t have to dive deep or work too hard. It’s all about timing and location—both of which the eagles (and thankfully my guide) had down to an art.
A Natural Ballet in the Inside Passage
Watching this hunt unfold felt like being dropped into a Netflix documentary. The best part? It wasn’t just the eagles benefiting from the bounty. We also saw seals darting through the shallows, Pacific gulls squabbling over leftovers, and even daring ravens trying their luck.
The Inside Passage is full of wild beauty, but this particular moment felt like a spotlight on nature’s timing and grace. It’s a reminder that even when we think we’ve seen it all, the Coast still has a few breathtaking tricks up her sleeve.
Planning Your Own Eagle-Hake Experience
If you want to witness this phenomenon for yourself, here’s the deal:
- Timing is everything. Plan for late May through early July, when the hake start schooling and the tides are strong.
- Location matters. Gillard Pass, near Dent Island and Stuart Island, is one of the best spots for eagle viewing during this event.
- Get a guide. Seriously. The tides can be gnarly, and a local guide knows how to read the water, find the fish, and keep you safe.
- Stay somewhere special. Dent Island Lodge is not only a gorgeous basecamp—it’s also perfectly situated for easy access to the action. Sonora Resort is also around the corner, and guides offer tours out of Campbell River.
Final Thoughts
Some people travel to see the pyramids or walk the Great Wall. Me? I’ll take a front row seat in a bobbing boat, watching bald eagles pluck fish out of the air like seasoned pros. There’s a kind of magic in seeing these creatures in their element—wild, focused, and exquisitely in tune with the rhythm of the tides.
If you ever get the chance to visit this part of the Inside Passage during hake season, don’t hesitate. It’s wild West Coast theatre at its absolute finest.
