The size of Alaska is hard to grasp. It’s nearly a quarter the size of the Lower 48 states. In fact, it’s bigger than the entire Midwest! Combine its sheer size with the knowledge that few roads exist in the state, and you can only just begin to understand the scale of wilderness here…
Small aircraft are the lifeblood of travel and life in Alaska. Otters, Beavers, Cessnas, and Helios are a few of the planes moving people and supplies between airstrips and waterways. They land on wheels or floats, opening a ton of options for anglers, hunters, and wilderness explorers.
If you’re looking for a remote, back-to-basics fishing adventure, the Last Frontier is definitely calling. But you’ll want to make use of these float planes to get into the real untouched spots. “Fly-out fishing” is the best way to cast a line in Alaska. Take it from me, as I guide you through the ins and outs of it all!
How a Fly-Out Fishing Lodge Functions
I work at Katmai Sky Lodge, which operates in the same manner as many other fly-out lodges. They’re located on a unique homewater and use a float plane to access lakes and rivers in the region. This leaves the option to fish at home or to go out and explore on any given day.
This particular lodge is situated on a private property that’s completely surrounded by Katmai National Park. It’s a bit like having a place in the middle of Yellowstone where nobody else visits. Being able to walk out the front door and hike into a national park wilderness is extraordinarily unique!
Choosing destinations each day often depends on wind direction and the weather. There’s a ton of options that pilots, guides, and clients will review before determining the safest landing zones and best options for fishing.
After setting a departure time and location, the group loads into the plane and gets dropped off with a guide. They fish all day and return to the pickup point at the predetermined time. This means anglers can spend all day exploring rivers and streams in a remote wilderness.
Katmai National Park and Bristol Bay Fish Species
This area is a fishing paradise, and Katmai is a large piece of the landmass and waterways in the area. Salmon are a cornerstone of life in these waters, and they feed the entire ecosystem. Bears, wolves, trees, eagles, and bugs depend on the biomass of Salmon that spawn and die in the rivers. And other fish species feed on their eggs and flesh as well. Let’s take a look at the top targets…
Rainbow Trout
A good portion of the fly-out fishing in Alaska is focused on big, native Rainbow Trout. These are some of the baddest fish on the planet. Some rivers have resident Trout, while others have fish that move between lakes and bays, following Salmon into the rivers to feed on their eggs. Most anglers will be chasing fish around the 30-inch mark and – while that kind of fish isn’t a weekly occurrence – specimens in the 24–28-inch range are available throughout the season.
You can catch Alaskan Trout on mice and streamers before the Salmon season. Much of the best action happens when Salmon eggs begin dropping, continuing through the Salmon decay, where flesh continues feeding the fish.
Dolly Varden
The streamer and egg techniques for Rainbow Trout remain the same for Dolly Varden. These voracious fish strike hard and eat everything in sight on some days. They also reach large sizes in the Bristol Bay region!
Anglers might catch a few skinny, 15-inchers here and there. But if you’re in luck, you may land a monster with serious girth, measuring 24 inches or more. Dolly Varden travel often, so you never know how the fishing will turn out. It’s hero or zero, with some fisheries producing more than others.
Char
It can be tough to distinguish a Char from a Dolly Varden. The two species are closely related and have numerous similarities. Char tend to have fewer spots and more coloration in the body, especially in the late September season. Char also stage in river mouths, holding more in deeper water. That being said, they do overlap with Dolly Varden in these spaces.
If you want to find a big “pumpkin” Char, fish the creek and lake mouths in Bristol Bay. The later season in September and even October is best.
Salmon
Salmon aren’t excluded from the Alaska fly-out fishing game. Of course, catching the incidental Sockeye in a headwaters stream will happen. These fish are bright red and pretty turned at this point. It’s still fun, but anglers generally avoid the Sockeye in favor of Trout and other species feeding off the eggs.
Silver Coho Salmon and Chums also show up in the higher drainages while still being in great shape. Some of these fish travel exceptionally fast, and we catch some of them in creek mouths that really jump and run hard.
While the headwaters streams and lakes are less Salmon-focused, fly-outs often have boats in the lower river systems. They fly into places like the Alagnak River and fish the prime Salmon runs. Having access to the combination of boats and planes makes anything possible.
Best Fly-Out Fishing Rivers in Katmai, AK
I won’t offer up every creek and river in the region. There are still plenty that I haven’t fished and the ones I have are constantly changing! Timing is everything, though, and it’s worth noting that competition is a real thing. While these places are far removed, the lodges in the area fish many of the same places, so you might not have them to yourselves on some days.
I love the Katmai Sky because its proximity to many locations offers flexibility in timing. Here, you have the option to fish earlier or later than many other places. Float planes are limited by sight, and it’s rare to fish in the evenings. We usually fish a few local rivers late into the evening because of the short flight times to home base. This means having the water to ourselves on many outings.
Here are my pick of some of the best rivers to visit when fly-out fishing in Alaska:
Brooks River
The short river that flows between Brooks and Naknek Lakes is a hotspot for bear viewing and fishing. It receives a big run of Sockeye Salmon that sustains the bears, birds, and Rainbow Trout. Fishing here is very unique due to the number of bears. Anglers must stay 50 yards away from the bears and that often means shuffling across the river to get out of the way when one is hunting through the area.
The river has excellent fishing for Rainbow Trout, with some really large fish on offer. They’re selective and most often caught with beads that imitate eggs. Flesh and streamers can also work. The entire river holds fish alongside the bears. It’s like fishing in Jurassic Park sometimes, with the number of beasts moving around you!
Margo Creek
This is a great creek located near Brooks River. It holds good numbers of Dolly Varden and has a big Sockeye run. It also sees some Chum and Silver Salmon. The views are also incredible, making for a unique experience.
I love walking the creek and seeing bears fishing in tight quarters. It’s possible to see them jumping from high banks onto Sockeye to feed! This is a special creek when it’s full of Salmon and other fish.
Contact Creek
While Sockeye Salmon dominate many creeks, Contact is different. It largely receives spawning runs of King and Chum Salmon. It produces great numbers of Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout, along with solid Grayling fishing.
This fishery requires a decent hike to reach from the landing zone. It’s a great place for anglers who are mobile and enjoy walking reasonable distances across difficult terrain. It fishes well earlier in the season than many other rivers, offering a great option before Sockeye take over in the area.
Moraine Creek
Famous for big Rainbow Trout and stunning scenery, there’s a reason Moraine Creek is a bucket list destination for anglers. It’s also quite popular for bear viewers and photographers when the Sockeye Salmon are present. Clear waters and bright red fish make for excellent photographs, especially when a bear leaps into the water.
Bring your A-game to this river. The fish are smart and will reject beads if the color and size aren’t perfect.
Fly Out to Katmai and Experience Alaska’s Wilderness!
Exploring the giant wilderness in Alaska is pretty incredible. I’ve barely scratched the surface of this place and expect to spend many more summers learning the landscape! From the fishing to giant moose, caribou, steep mountains, and big marshlands, it’s a captivating landscape.
If you have the chance to chase big Salmon, Trout and Char, don’t turn it down! Fly-out fishing in Alaska is calling your name!
Have you been on any fly-out fishing trips? We’d love to hear your stories from the wilderness. Maybe you’re looking to go for the first time? Reach out and we’ll be happy yo answer any questions!
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