Wood River/Tikchik | Lake Iliamna | Kvichak | Alagnak | Naknek | Katmai | Lodge Locator Map (.PDF)

Wood River/Tikchik Region

here are 6.4 million acres in the combined Wood-Tickchik Park and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, a roadless area of about 75,000 square miles, with 13 lakes and rivers draining east into the Nushagak River and west off the Kilbuk Mountains into Kuskokwim Bay. The thousands of miles of rivers receive spawning runs of five Pacific salmon that feed populations of wild rainbows, sea-run Dolly Varden, Artic char, Arctic grayling, northern pike, and sheefish. Access to this fishing is either by boat or floatplane operating out of base fly-out lodges, which are reached from Dillingham. Most lodges fly-out fish quality Bristol Bay rainbow/salmon streams as well.

Rainbow trout (above) are the main attraction of the Wood River/Tikchik Region, but five species of Pacific salmon are also available. The nearby Nushagak River has one of the most prolific runs of Chinook salmon in the Bristol Bay region.

1. Tikchik Narrows Lodge (www.tikchiklodge.com) is located on the tip of a narrow peninsula which separates Tikchik and Nuyukuk lakes. The lodge is owned and operated by Bud and Linda Hodson and Bud has nearly 30 years of experience flying flaot planes in Alaska. their guests fish the entire western half of Bristol Bay which includes the Nushagak, Wood River, Tikchik Lake, Togiak River drainages and some Iliamna waters.

2. Royal Coachman Lodge (royalcoachmanlodge.com), long known for its quality operation, is located 65 miles north of Dillingham on the banks of the Nuyakuk River in the Wood-Tikchik Park. The fly-out lodge, in business since 1970, prides itself in flexible schedules, choosing fishing destinations each day according to flying and fishing conditions. Royal Coachman hosts up to 8 anglers in 4 finely furnished cabins (each with living room and private baths) and the main lodge. Professional fly-fishing guides average 10 years experience guiding on exclusive-use-permit, private-lease water and 75 miles of rivers accessible from the lodge (weather conditions never foreclose fishing). Its fly-outs include the entire Bristol Bay watersheds. The lodge serves excellent home-cooked, American styles meals.

3. Bristol Bay Lodge (bristolbaylodge.com) for over 25 years has hosted fly fishers at its quality operation on the northwest end of Aleknagek Lake near the Wood-TikChik State Park. The fly-outs (in three Beavers) go to a variety of rivers (within a 100-mile radius) in the park region, as well as remote streams where the lodge maintains wilderness overnight tent camps (with 2 guides and cook) to fish pristine water. Guests rotate from the main lodge to these camps. The high-quality main lodge has 8 guest rooms with private baths and 4 additional cabins. Amenities at the lodge include sauna, jacuzzi, full tackle shop, and fly-tying area. The excellent menu includes homemade pastries and breads. Fishing includes: all 5 salmon species in season, rainbows, and large sea-run Dolly Varden (June), Artic char and northern pike. Owner hosts are Melissa Miller and Steve Laurent.

4. Wood River Lodge (woodriverlodge.com) promises a 1:1 guest to client ratio and books a maximum of 16 guests per week. The Agulowak River flows in front of the lodge and three different river systems are available by boat so fishing is always available whether the planes can fly or not. All five salmon species are available within 10 miles of the ocean so the fish are chrome, fresh and fighting. Rainbow trout are available all summer, but are the fattest late in the summer after months of feeding on eggs and salmon smolts.

5. Fishing Bear Lodge (fishingbearlodge.com) accomodates up to eight guests per week and offers eco tours, kayaking, and photograhy expeditions in addition to outstanding fly fishing for salmon and trout on the Peace River and nearby lakes and streams, as well as flyouts to the major Bristol Bay area trout rivers.

6. Bear Bay Lodge (bearbaylodge.com) is located at the foot of the Killbuck Mountains on the southwest shore of Lake Aleknagik and in close proximity to literally thousands of small rivers, creeks, and lakes with salmon, trout, char, pike, and grayling. A short flight in late June and early July takes guests to the Nushagak River where there are outstanding runs of medium-sized Chinook salmon and later in the year, hard-fighting silver salmon.

7. Mission Creek Lodge (missionlodge.com), run by Guy Fullart, is located in the Wood River/Tikchik drainage at the outlet of Lake Aleknagik on the top end of the Wood River. Fishing for the five salmon, char, Dolly Varden, and trophy rainbows is virtually unlimited in this region, on waters such as the Togiak and Little Togiak, Agulawok, Nushagak, and others as well as fly-outs to the small rainbow rivers. The modern lodge overlooking the lake hosts up to 20 fishers in 20 rooms, with dining area and bar, on-premise chef, excellent menu and wine list. The Mission Creek Lodge web site has Quicktime virtual reality tours of the lodge facility, a feature worth looking at before you book your trip to Alaska.

8. Kokwok Lodge (kokwoklodge.com), owned and operated by native Alaskans, is located on the Nushagak River 70 miles west of Dillingham. Fishing is by guided jet-boats on the river. The lodge cabins, basic large and small, host 10 guests.

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