Pacific Salmon Fishing

Five Species of Pacific Salmon run the local rivers by the millions and they are thus available in prolific numbers.  One or two species of salmon are available in peak configuration during any week of the season (see Yantarni Salmon Camp for September salmon fishing).  Some weeks in July offer four or all five species of salmon to be caught.  King Salmon fishing for fish up to 40 lbs. is done by troll or drift fishing on the Nushagak or Naknek Rivers. 

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One of the best King Salmon holes on the Naknek River is right off of our dock.  Chum, Sockeye, Pink and Silver Salmon are caught by spin or fly fishing on the Naknek River or while wading one of several rivers within 75 miles flying radius of the lodge.   Some of Alaska's finest wild salmon rivers are within easy reach of the lodge and we have developed an exceptional guided salmon fishing program to help you catch them.

These five salmon are available on fishing trips throughout the season:



Sockeye Salmon average 6-8 pounds with larger fish to 11-plus pounds. Sockeye are the most numerous of the salmon, with numbers in some rivers running in the millions. Sockeye salmon are best caught on a fly and pound-for-found are the hardest fighting of the salmon and their firm, red meat is the finest for eating.



Chum Salmon average 7-9 pounds, with larger fish to 15-plus pounds. Chums are taken on spinning or casting tackle. These hard-fighting fish migrate and hold in large groups. Chum salmon are easily caught while wading shallow water, and can make for very fast action on medium-weight fishing tackle.  Chums are an extremely under rated sport fish.  They fight pound for pound like a Silver.  Please see the Yantarni Salmon Camp page to learn about our affiliated salmon camp on the Alaska Peninsula and some of the best small stream coastal Chum Salmon fishing in the world.



King Salmon are the largest of the Pacific Salmon, averaging 15-30 pounds, with larger fish up to 50-plus pounds. Kings are fished most effectively with spinning or casting tackle,  fishing either the Nushagak or Naknek Rivers.  The Nushagak is only 35 miles west of the lodge, and the Nushagak run of Kings is the largest wild King run in the world, with an annual average of 100,000 fish in that river alone.

Pink Salmon average 3-5 pounds with larger fish to 6-plus pounds. Due to a two-year life cycle, their most prolific runs occur on even-numbered years. Pink salmon are aggressive strikers that can be caught on light spinning or fly fishing tackle in large numbers. It's not unusual to catch 50-100 five-pound fish for a day's effort.



Silver Salmon average 7-9 pounds with larger fish to 15-plus pounds. They run in shallow water, hold in large groups and readily take the proper fly or lure. Silver salmon run strong and leap high in the air when hooked.  Please see the Yantarni Salmon Camp page to learn about our affiliated salmon camp on the Alaska Peninsula and some of the best Silver Salmon fishing in the world.

Best Seasons for Salmon Fishing:

* Best Pink Salmon runs even numbered years
Most of our salmon fishing areas are in the lower reaches of river, near tidewater, where fish are fresh and strong.

On many of our best salmon fishing rivers, having boats are key to finding fish that move into the rivers on tides. All of our are comfortable 18-20 ft. river boats equipped to U.S. Coast Guard safety standards and with late model outboard jet motors.

Keeping salmon and taking them home

The keeping of salmon is encouraged for those who desire. There is a house limit of five salmon per person and is close to and subject to State of Alaska daily and total possession limits. Your salmon will be carefully cleaned, vacuum packaged and frozen for shipment home and an airline-approved seafood shipping container is provided.