Skip to content. Fish have been harvested, sustaining food for many and bringing the lifeline of the Nushagaks abundance to those who visit and partake in its glory. You can see from the sentiment that they love the Nushagak. Prominent king runs May through June & July through Mid-August. From mid-June through mid-July, the Nushagak is a superhighway of salmon, with kings, reds, pinks and chums streaming by in amazing numbers. The best locations are typically the . What is the best fishing lodge or camp on the Nushagak River? Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brent grew up spending his summers out on the water, exploring the many rivers, streams, and lakes of the region. King salmon are targeted in both freshwater rivers pre-spawn and of course in the open ocean. 40 king salmon spawning streams have been identified throughout the Copper River drainage, with the Gulkana River supporting the most significant sport fishery. Chinook (King) Salmon The best times to catch Alaskan King Salmon are mid-May through mid-September. Guests will fly into King Salmon via charter or commercial flight and then be shuttled to the Nushagak via float plane. I asked him what his vision and mission was for Nushagak River Adventures Lodge (NRAL) and he said, Nushagak River Adventures Lodge was built to be the premier lodge on the Nushagak River. If catching kings is really all one wants to do, this river system is by far the best option for pure king salmon gluttony! The entire operation is significantly safer, with amenities and service not traditionally found in the Alaska Bush. If youve never gone fishing before, or even if you have but want to improve your skills, there are some things that every fisherman needs to know. Frigate Travel The salaries of Alaskan King Crab Fishermen in the US range from $11,893 to $314,285 , with a median salary of $57,019 . These hard-fighting fish migrate and hold in large groups. The best king . . A second memorable youth was 8-year old Trent Lewis who was the only angler to fish a Nushagak grand slam in 2019. Bear Claw Lodge Fish counts Fish permits Facebook Instagram YouTube Alaska Kingfishers The best King Salmon Fishing on the Planet! Anglers utilize all methods to stay into fish all day long here and switch up methods to stay on top of the fish. How much fish can I bring back from Alaska? It does not store any personal data. King Salmon. A salmon fishing trip in Ketchikan can start earlier in the year than a fishing trip to the Kenai River or Kasilof River in the Kenai Peninsula. The first of the salmon to return to Alaska each year, its hard to argue the kings arent also the best. Yes, it is possible to encounter the land of the mid-night sun, when you can fish all night if you want to. This method seems to work best with the heavy pressure and spacing boats out accordingly. I asked him for an overview of the operation and he replied, Eight professional guides captain eight Alumaweld Free Drifter fishing boats, each that can host as many as four anglers. As you may be aware, Alaska is known as the salmon capitol of the world and still produces more salmon than any other region on the planet! KENAI RIVER, MAY 17, 1985 FISHING METHODS: Drifting, Backtrolling, Back-bouncing King Salmon in Alaska are world-renowned and for good reason. The second and larger return of Kenai River kings typically reaches its peak in late July. How much fish can we take with us? The day before was spent back-trolling in an ultimately futile effort to turn an early-returning Kenai king. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You need the right gear and bait, of course, but more importantly, you need to find out where the fish are biting today. 3 at the Isaak Walton Campground is where the Moose River meets the Kenai River, and the two rivers' differing paces are drastic. The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. I have always enjoyed taking them fishing and sometimes catching something special like a 43-pound king in 2013.. Its a big river and theres plenty of wide-open space to fish. NRAL guides employ three main techniques to catch king salmon: downstream trolling, boondogging and side drifting with bobbers. Like most rivers, the smaller kings are at the start of the run on the Alagnak and soon followed up by the more mature kings that have spent an extra year or two in the ocean gaining length and girth for their return to spawn. Alaska is a land of superlatives. With our Nushagak River King Camp located in a prime spot on the best king salmon river in the world and our main lodge located on the Alagnak River just a short 25-minute float plane ride away we are definitely set up to handle whatever our guests desire for catching these mighty king salmon! Best season for sockeye salmon fishing: late June through mid-July. It has been highly regulated the past 20 years or so to try and bring back the giants that were once so common to the river. Fishing. Home River Fishing Where is the best king salmon fishing in Alaska? If King Salmon are your desired species, then you must enjoy battling freight trains because once hookeda king salmon is just like battling a freight train on a fishing rod! Some of the best fishing is had on the Naknek River. Thats a lot of chances to catch the state fish of Alaska. The Nushagak sets a bar at 40 for a big king, while the Alagnak bar is more like 50 for a big king. The annual limit for Chinook (king) salmon is 1 per household, which is part of the total household salmon limit. No Thanks The Alagnak run of king salmon peaks near mid-July and is typically over by months end. In April, officials canceled commercial and most recreational king salmon fishing off California and much of Oregon for the second time in 15 years after the fish returned in near record-low . We believe that anglers have the right to harvest fish to take home and eat from prosperous fish stocks. 12-year-old, Brady Blum, a Washington-state native, hooked into the 40 1/4-inch salmon, set the hook, and held on for the ride of a lifetime. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As far as the best specific fishing conditionsbeyond the waterthe early and late hours on overcast or windy days are hard to beat, as king salmon are very sensitive to light and seem to prefer bad weather and the quiet hours of the day for most of their activity. Chinook, Springer, Blackmouth, Smiley, Purple-back, Oncorhynchus Tschawytscha) The King Salmon is the largest of the salmon species available in Alaska. Anglers utilize all methods to stay into fish all day long here and switch up methods to stay on top of the fish. Rob bought Alaska Kingfishers from Bob Kratzer in 2013, after Bob ran it successfully for 15 years. The Gulkana, the Klutina, and most of the other tributaries of the Copper River also host significant Chinook fisheries. The table above shows that the two areas closest to the un-fished 400 mile stretch have the biggest halibut in the state. Brute strength and mind-blowing runs make kings one of the hardest fish to land on the fly. What is the best bait for salmon fishing in Alaska? There are more. By boat the site is about one and a half hours upstream of Dillingham. This is true for the second run of king salmon on the Kenai River. Can You Eat Koi Fish? Discover the Truth Here! Kings have a pre-programmed instinctive desire to eat other king eggs, so curing eggs and drifting them is one of the best methods to catch these giants! FishtheNush.com 1-877-876-NUSH (6874), Pete Von Jess started fishing the Nushagak in 2014. winter: 650-796-4534 summer: 907-644-9018. The one that has the largest kings is the Kenai River located just South of Anchorage on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula. The average size of king salmon is a little bigger than the Nushagak River but remember quantities are much lower than the near 100,000 mark of the Nushagak. Once timing is right, understanding migration corridors and the staging and resting points favored by Chinook will pay dividends to any angler. The Alagnak River also has a very healthy king salmon run. Most anglers would agree that it is the best king salmon river in Alaska when it comes to catching lots of Chinook. The Nushagak sets a bar at 40 for a big king, while the Alagnak bar is more like 50 for a big king. Anglers Alibi is a high-end remote fishing camp that doesnt feel like a typical rustic fishing camp. It is very popular for back trolling for Kings in the early seasons of May, June and July. Every angler who has spent much time on the water develops a database of memories. On the Nushagak River, bait is allowed to target kings as well as single hook lures. There are definitely rivers in the state where larger specimens are . Still, salmon run times are not static events. Ratings and Reviews Powered by TripAdvisor. Enter search term: Search. You may have heard of fishing on the Kenai Peninsula, but here's a little-known secret: The Copper River Valley offers some of the best king salmon fishing in all of Alaska, in fact 60 pound kings aren't unheard of! With heavy pressure comes an opportunity for anglers to do their part in bringing back this incredible fishery. Immediately out of college I worked as a field biologist for a state agency in central Texas which focused on environmental projects in the Brazos River basin. What month is best for salmon fishing in Alaska? It is good to note that despite these closures in the past several summers to sport anglers, there are still huge kings being caught annually on the river. One of those prime locations is the Nushagak River. A beautiful stretch of calm coastal waters in Southeast Alaska - Fantastic guided saltwater & freshwater fishing, self-guided fishing options, spectacular views, wildlife viewing & more with a wide range of towns & islands from which to base your trip. of Fish & Game. Most of the Southeast panhandlefrom Dixon Entrance south of Ketchikan to Cape Fairweather, which sits along the Gulf of Alaska coast between the community of Yakutat and Cross Soundis restricted to fishing for king salmon in freshwater, though there are sporadic opportunities for freshwater anglers to chase kings; these occur when the Alaska Department of Fish and Game uses emergency orders to open select areas to the harvest of hatchery fish. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! . This spot in Sterling at milepost 82. Looking at the ADF&G fish counts, the average run of kings in the Nush for the last 10 years is approximately 82,569 kings per year. Depending on what time of year you visit, you have the potential to catch all five species of Pacific salmon during your Alaska charter in Sitka (in one outing! This is true for the second run of king salmon on the Kenai River. Happy anglers travel to the Nushagak in June and July to catch its legendary king salmon. . Canadian Northern Pike and Lake Trout Fishing, The Top 10 Best Fishing Lodges in Ontario, The Top 10 Best Fishing Lodges in Manitoba, Useful Fishing Tips That You Will Want To Hear, Why Mongolia Fly Fishing Is Essential for Serious Fisherman, Fly Fishing Honduras: Lodges and What to Expect. The destinations are almost endlessfrom sparkling clearwater fisheries like the Togiak or Kanektok, to the big, open tundra waters of the Naknek or Nushagak and on through the prolific road-system streams of Southcentral, eventually the scenery and the varied water conditions and the differing tactics fuse into a single idea, of our singular pursuit. Ontario is home to some of the best freshwater fishing in Canada, making it the home of many fishing lodges. For the most part, kings will be found moving and holding in the main channels of rivers. The largest kings usually come in the 4th week of July, but the best numbers come in 2nd and 3rd weeks of July. We are first in line to catch the fish on this path. Upriver, kings will also hold beneath a tributary stream in which they intend to spawn, ostensibly waiting for the conditions to be just right or for their eggs and milt to ripen before commencing upon the final leg of their freshwater journey. Only in the Tanana Valley is there sufficient road access to allow noteworthy sport-fishing effort. He can be reached at tletherman@fishalaskamagazine.com. However, if good numbers of fish arent visible in the water or showing themselves on the surface, there are still a few characteristics one can seek out that are typical of quality salmon haunts. ), so we'll discuss the best techniques and baits to bring along to guarantee success. The King Salmon (or Chinook Salmon) is one of Alaska's most sought after species because of its size and relative scarcity. King Salmon fishing begins in May, and you can continue fishing for Silver Salmon all the way through November. It is here that John met the original owner Karl Storath. For example, if your household size is two, then you are allowed to harvest 35 salmon, one of which may be a king salmon. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Most anglers would agree that it is the best king salmon river in Alaska when it comes to catching lots of Chinook. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It's also a great option for those looking to add a day or two of guided fishing to their Alaska vaction due to it's central location and easy accessand do to it's location and great fishing there are many quality Kenai River fishing guides to choose from. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Our trips are all-inclusive including flights to and from Dillingham to the lodge, meals, fishing equipment and fish processing to take fish home.. Furthermore, during June and July, it is not uncommon to catch 10-30 Kings per day during the run's peak weeks. It was here that he met fellow guide and now lodge manager/head guide TR Rafferty. Great fishing, great friends, and a great time was had by all. Like other Pacific salmon species, Chinook in freshwater will often roll and allow anglers an easy opportunity to isolate their position. Alaska Fish and Game does not have an accurate sonar system of counting kings like on the Nushagak so it is unknown just how many kings return annually to the Alagnak. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Purely judging by numbers, the Situk River is the most prominent of these streams, offering annual total returns estimated to be from 1,500- to 10,000 adult fish (most runs are in the 2,000- to 5,000-fish range). For the best success, use large bright lures. Jack and his family will be visiting the Denali area in May and are looking to find out what his best fly-fishing options are within a couple hours of Denali. We are pleased to have turned the vision into reality. Sockeye are the primary species caught in the commercial fishery and also represent a substantial part of the subsistence fishery. John Perry is the owner and operator ofAnglers Alibi, on the Alagnak River in Alaska. The Kenai River in Alaska provides the best king salmon fishing in the world. The average size of a king salmon depends on the river system but fish in the 20 - 25 pound range is probably the statewide average with the largest salmon topping the magical 70-pound mark! World-Class Saltwater Fishing & Sightseeing - The Cook Inlet & surrounding areas are remarkably beautiful and one of the most heavily visited areas for fishing and outdoor recreation. Simply put, the best time to fish for Salmon in Alaska is during the summers. With their striking colors and graceful movements, its no wonder why people have been captivated , Spread the loveHave you ever wondered if koi fish, the vibrant and mesmerizing creatures commonly found in decorative ponds, are edible? Generally, the best time to catch salmon in Alaska is May through September, but each species has its own run depending on the location. We use custom-made Koffler boats for king fishing. Back-bouncing through one hole, then another, then through a long riffle, we make our way down the Kasilof as the early-summer sun burns through and the day begins to take a bluebird shape. With annual runs of king salmon between 40,000 and upwards of 100,000 fish, its a target-rich environment. Its not a commonly discussed topic, but its worth exploring. Though king salmon fishing is restricted in much of the freshwater angling environment in Southeast, the coastal streams near Yakutat are home to a few good to excellent returns. The best time to fish for king salmon in Alaska is typically during the fall and winter months, when the fish are feeding in the ocean. Fishing & Adventure on Baranof Island - Visit Sitka for great fishing for Halibut & Salmon, a good variety of lodges from luxury to afforable and a wealth of outdoor activities & wildlife viewing on Baranof Island. Like most rivers in Alaska, when the kings are in the river system, so are the sockeye salmon. Here are four outfitters Fish Alaska trusts to host you. Our longtime guide, Ron Logan from Portland, Oregon, who helped Brady to this big king, shared that David also landed a 42-inch king but released it since he had already tagged one. Operating for 25 years, Mike and Angela have been stewards of the river for a long time. There are a lot of king salmon ocean fishing options to target these huge salmon in Alaskahowever, we focus on fishing for these beasts in freshwater just as they enter the river system on the tides from the salt as they are in peak condition! For southwest Alaska, the first kings are customarily seen in early- to mid-June, with the run picking up steam by the first two weeks of July and then tapering off by the end of the month. August is the best month of the year to target coho salmon. The Kenai Peninsula is hard to beat. This river system is in the midst of a huge comeback after a big decline in the mid-nineties. Top 10 Alaska Halibut & Salmon Fishing Charters Oasis Alaska Charters We take great pride in what we do and will work hard to give you the best trip possible with the amount of time you have. Fishing The Nushagak River Fishing Information Our Boats Fly-Out Fishing Salmon Runs The Camp Travel Trip Details Directions Pre-Trip Information Alaska Kingfishers (907) 843-1605 PO Box 1134, Dillingham, AK, 99576 Upon entering saltwater, the majority of Chinook salmon stocks undertake extensive migrations, roaming over thousands of miles in the North Pacific and Bering Sea, while others, particularly some of the southeast Alaska populations, remain inshore for the duration. Access varies, as does run timing. The lodges and camps that dot the banks of the river, especially in the lower section near the town of Portage Creek, are the conduits for anglers to get to kings. Tactics, of course, vary by water condition, but also by means available to the anglermeaning mostly whether fishing from shore or boat. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". A 10-gallon tank is a popular choice for , Spread the loveFor years, people have been wondering if fish have ears. Most runs peak in mid- to late June, continuing on into July. Its part of what draws us back to familiar waters and fuels us in between fishing opportunities. Between these three flows the Chuitna River, a small freestone stream that hosts a substantial Chinook return with fish of above-average size not out of the ordinary. We were a large group and I appreciated all of the organization, attention to detail, and accommodations!, I asked Kate and Justin for a rundown on the camp and their fishing programs. Where to Find the Best King Salmon Fishing in Alaska, Fishing Options - Trout, Grayling, Silver Salmon & More, Where To Find The Best King Salmon Fishing In Alaska. . Starting with the Lower Kenai that still holds the world record for King Salmon at 97 lbs 4 oz. Amenities include full-size beds with quality linens, a new bathhouse with sinks, showers and toilets featuring separate facilities for men and women. Tents that feel like a building (carpeted wood floors! Unlike the Nushagak River, bait is not allowed so fishing for kings here is done with single hook lure and fly only. Glad to hear that you and your son are going to head to Alaska to the beautiful Lake Clark area to fish. Where is the best river fishing in Alaska? Post questions to lodges or past guests. After life had it's changes with marriage and the need for a more year round career, John left Alaska but told Karl that he would love the opportunity to buy it when he was ready to retire. That last is the most important thingin Alaska, chasing king salmon means a lot of different water and all kinds of techniques, but the payoff is always the same: large, powerful fish, thrilling battles and succulent fillets. Glenn wants to keep his wife happy on a trip to Alaska while he fly fishes every day. Alaska boasts some of the best salmon fishing in the world, with an abundance of all five types of wild salmon (King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, and Chum) and scenery that's hard to beat. They have a high-fat content and corresponding rich flesh that ranges from white to a deep red color. We are on this migratory path, we are isolated and not overwhelmed by fishing pressure. Cassie Bergman, They continued, We accommodate up to eight guests on the river each day and in camp for one night. About; Contact; Expert Advice. These hard-fighting fish average at 20-30 pounds, and you can easily find lunkers that weigh 50 pounds or more. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Kenai River is known for the best fishing in Alaska. King salmon return at Methods on the Kenai are mainly by trolling. The Kenai is also offers excellent fishing for rainbow trout, dolly varden and other species of salmon. The king (chinook) salmon that migrate up the Kenai River every summer and fall are so large that the local government uses a different scale to define trophy size salmon in this river. Their lodge sits on a prime drift, and its very common to hook kings while boondogging directly in front of their lodge. 382 Reviews - TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 - 5 Days: $3,500 to $4,000 Per Person Half Day: $200 to $299 Per Person; $300 to $399 Per Person These king salmon return from mid-May through June, with the peak around June 15. I asked Kate and Justin to share a lasting memory from their time on the Nush. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. King (Chinook) Salmon: April through September: 5 per season. Weve searched and found the best fishing lodges in Ontario. They make it possible for visiting anglers to pack some clothes, hop on a few planes and end up in the Nirvana of king salmon angling. The best time to fish near Anchorage is from May through September for king salmon, coho salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish. There are a lot of king salmon ocean fishing options to target these huge salmon in Alaskahowever, we focus on fishing for these beasts in freshwater just as they enter the river system on the tides from the salt as they are in peak condition! There are many coho salmon fishing spots near Resurrection Bay. During the 2020 season we made significant improvements to our flyfishing program and feel we are ready to show our anglers how consistent the Nushagak can fish with flies. On the Nushagak River we offer an experience different from any camp on the river, a short-duration glamping experience. As a follow up, I asked them what their clients say about their camp and they shared a recent quote from a client: Thank you for a wonderful time at the lodge and giving us the best time on the Nush. Cassie Bergman. Two summers later after teaching fly fishing classes and guiding all over Colorado for trout, a guiding job opened up for John to come up and guide at a new small lodge called Angler's Alibi. To learn more about Angler's Alibi Lodge visit www.anglersalibi.com or email John at John@AnglersAlibi.com. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Fishing the Kenai River - Moose River Confluence. Kings or Chinook salmon can be found in Ketchikan year round but the spawning run begins showing up in mid May with the bulk of the local fish passing through in the last half of June and the first week of July. And while the average adult Chinook is around 20 pounds, its possible to catch fish in the 30-, 40- and even 50-pound range. As when fishing any anadromous species, timing is the most critical ingredient to successful king salmon angling. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Two hours from Anchorage. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ), electric perimeter fence and fantastic food prepared by world-class chef. There are 3 main rivers in Alaska if your salmon of choice is king salmon. For example, Kasilof Sockeye may peak in mid-July, but the Kenai . Dinner at camp consists of fresh ingredients and a gourmet entre. The 10 Largest Kings of all time have been landed here Angler Fred Houtman landed the ninth largest King Salmon in the IGFA Record Book at the time, a whopping 89 lbs, 4 ounces, as a guest of our Trophy Lodge!! Its also a great option for those looking to add a day or two of guided fishing to their Alaska vacation due to its central location and easy accessand do to its location and great fishing there are many quality Kenai River fishing guides to choose from. This article originally appeared as The Crown Jewel of Alaskas Chinook Rivers and the King Camps We Love in the December 2020 issue of Fish Alaska. For the last 10 years, they have been fishing the Nushagak River, and started their Nush camp in 2017. In 2007, John came back to Angler's and the change of leadership began as well. It begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest 450 km (280 mi) to Nushagak Bay, an inlet of Bristol Bay, east of Dillingham, Alaska. Projects included both chemical and biological assessments of lakes, rivers and streams, which focused on water quality and biological diversity and provided data to determine the health of the watershed, Rob shared. Deckhand salaries in Alaska can vary between $17,000 to $81,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more. That river is the Nushagak. I asked Kate and Justin what their vision and mission is for their Nush camp and they replied, At Frigate Travel our mission is to provide the best experience for our guests on and off the water. Tailouts, ledge pools, eddies, the edges of sloughs and the currentseams created by large boulders and islands provide additional intercept points. If you visit in August, . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
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