Email Sent

Aniak River Lodge

Approximate Cost:

6 - 7 Days: $5,500 to $6,000 Per Person
Type: Lodges
Fishing: Fly Fishing Freshwater Fishing Guided Fishing

What we fish for: King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling, Chum Salmon, Dolly Varden, Sheefish

The Aniak River Lodge is actually a fish camp along the upper stretches of the Aniak River. Guests fly into Aniak and are picked up at the airport and then transferred to the base camp where they prepare to fish. They are then taken by boat up the Aniak River for 40 miles where the camp is located. It is a fairly easy trip by boat and along the way guests stop and fish.

The Aniak Upper River camp is fairly plush. Guests are housed in tent cabins with wooden floors and carpeting. The camp features hot and cold running water, excellent shower facilities, a drying tent for waders and gear. The cabins feature heaters, padded cots, and sleeping bags with clean linen. The dining tent is where everyone gathers for meals and guests are treated to wonderful food in the beautiful wilds of Alaska. Overall, expect a comfortable trip with plenty of fishing and outstanding hosts.

Fishing The Upper Aniak River

When it comes to fishing, timing is everything. Here, along the Aniak River there are at least 10 species of fish that sportsmen like to fish. Those include the five species of Pacific Salmon, Char, Trout, Grayling, Sheefish, and Pike. They are available at certain times throughout the summer and into fall.

The King salmon show up earliest of all the salmon. The Silvers show up the last out of all the salmon. The Kings, Reds, Chum, and Pink salmon almost all show up with in a week of each other. The fishing here is by boat or from the bank. Each guide is assigned two guests so there is plenty of personal attention. Guides rotate throughout the entire guest population.

Targeting Specific Fish

Each of the species of salmon that shows up here offers something different for fishermen. The Kings are the largest so if fighting a large salmon is your game, the Kings are it. The Reds and Pinks show up with the greatest numbers so you can just keep pulling these guys in hand over fist. The Chum Salmon, which are also known as tigers are also plentiful and not too difficult to catch. The real prize, however, is the silver salmon. These are the best fighters out of the bunch.

The rainbows are also fun to catch as are the char. Dolly Varden are char that look somewhat like rainbow trout. They are cousins to both the rainbow and the salmon. They are a beautiful fish that is full of fight and are a bit crafty. The Arctic Grayling are small fish that offer a lot of fun for fly fishermen.

The Real Monsters of Alaska

The two monsters here are the Sheefish and the Northern Pike. These are both top of the pyramid predators and are quite different in how the behave. The Northern Pike is a lurker. The Sheefish is a fast swimmer that chases down its prey. The Sheefish can also weigh up to 60 pounds. Sheefish are known as the tarpon of the north because of their mid-air acrobatics and their tenacious fight. The Northern Pike are fun; and a 10-30 pound pike is a handful. If you love to fly fish, try a dry pattern small mammal fly pattern over the area of the river where the water weeds grow. They also lurk in the reeds and can be tempted out with a mouse fly pattern.

There is plenty to fish for on the upper Aniak River. Expect a clean and comfortable stay and friendly and gracious hosts.

Featured Video of Aniak River Lodge

Photos of Aniak River Lodge

Your trip begins at the Base Lodge

New Lodge & Guest Cabins located 25 miles upriver

Accommodations in the spacious guest cabins

The 5-star tent camp is about 40 miles upriver on the Aniak

A stay at the deluxe outpost is the highlight of their trip for many guests

You'll enjoy many other comforts of home at the deluxe outpost camp

Another fantastic meal prepared by the chef

View from the main lodge

Relax by the fire pit

Fly fishing the Aniak River

Wade fishing a tributary of the Aniak

Fish On!

Beautiful Grayling on a dry fly

Rainbow Trout on a mouse pattern fly

Dolly Varden like the mouse pattern flies too

Beautiful Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Releasing another one

Chum Salmon

Chum Salmon

Northern Pike are always fun to catch

Huge Northern Pike!

Silvers love the pink flies

Beautiful Char

Are you the owner of this camp? Claim this Camp

Popular Alaska Fishing Destinations

Kodiak Island

Cooper Landing

Centrally Located on the Kenai Peninsula - A small town situated along the banks of the Kenai River & close to the Russian River as well

Inside Passage

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.

Prince of Wales Island

Experience Alaska Fishing & Nature on the 4th Largest Island in the United States - A beautiful & remote island in Southeast Alaska that offers world class saltwater fishing, freshwater fly fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing & more.

Cook Inlet

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.