Unalakleet River, Alaska

The Unalakleet River is a remote sport fishing destination on the east coast of Alaska just south of the Bering Strait. It is a fine river for chinook and chum salmon on the fly and one of the best places in Alaska to fish for silver salmon in fantastic numbers. The river almost always runs crystal clear over the dark bottom. With an average height of around 5 feet and an average width of around 70 yards, the Unalakleet is perfect for fly fishing. Because of lodge’s remote location far from any other sport fishing operations, having no access by road, aside from other lodge guests the only other fishermen you will find on the river may be a few locals fishing for subsistance. In order to get to here guests will usually fly on a direct commercial flight from Anchorage to the native village of Ualakleet where they are received by one of the ldoge staff and transferred by boat to the lodge about 20 minutes upstream. 

In June fishermen enjoy fishing for chinooks and on even years numerous pink salmon. From around the middle of June until early August the Unalakleet offers great fishing chum salmon. August and September are prime months for silver salmon averaging around 10 lbs in size and sometimes running up to near 20 lbs. This is the most spectacular fighting fish of all the salmon, a delight to catch either on a fly rod or spinning gear. During peak dates we calculate that guest may catch an average of around 120 salmon in five days of fishing. For a change of pace, many fishermen will take a day to go fishing for dolly varden and large grayling on the dry fly with light rods. Mousing for big grayling can be a religious experience for some.

At the top of a hill with spectacular views of the tundra covered plains, rolling hills and forests below, sits the Unalakleet River Lodge. This exclusive destination has become a favorite retreat of well-known personalities. They come looking to enjoy some of the best fishing away from civilization without renouncing the comforts of a great lodge. Famous guests have included ex NFL player, Larry Csonka, Supreme Court justice, Sandra Day O’Conner and well-known corporate CEOs.  The Unalakleet River Lodge offers all of the comforts you would expect of a top lodge including cozy cabins with on suite bathrooms, individual heating, electricity and hot water 24 hours a day, a fabulous bar area in the main lodge.