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Goodnews River Lodge

5 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating

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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, Arctic Grayling, Chum Salmon, Dolly Varden

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The Goodnews River Lodge sits on the edge of the beautiful Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Alaska. This is the only lodge that sits along this stretch of Alaska and offers exposure to all of the three branches of the Goodnews River System. Expect a remote and wild locations, but a clean and comfortable lodge. One of the great features of this lodge is that you do not need to fly out to find the best rivers as you are already camped on some of them. The Goodnews River System offers 490 miles of prime fishing rivers and clear bottom creeks.

Guests are housed in weatherproof tent cabins that are constructed to be comfortable, warm, and safe. Each cabin features a front porch for sitting, relaxing, and viewing wildlife. There is a hardwood floor that is carpeted for your comfort. A propane heater with thermostatic control. Electric and gas lighting is used within the cabins. The beds feature extra long mattresses fitted with flannel sheets and a comforter. Cabins sleep two guests each. Additional features include a drying room for waders and boots. A full kitchen and dining hall, and staff quarters.

Fishing the Goodnews

The guide to fishermen ratio is 1:2. Local fishing options include fishing one of the main river branches, fishing within the tidal waters of the river, or fording one of the many creeks and fishing in the riffles and holes. Over the course of their stay guests, decide their own fishing venue. If you should limit out on Salmon, your guide will happily show you how to target any of the other awesome fish in the rivers.

Salmon Species for Sports Fishermen

The Goodnews River is home to all five of the Pacific Salmon species. Kings are the earliest to arrive and are often the most sought after because of their size. The Sockeye or Red Salmon show up from mid-June and can flood the river. The Tiger Salmon, also known as Chum, overlap the reds too, and they offer an interesting tiger stripe design. The Tigers are fun to fish, but not always so good to eat. The longer they are in freshwater, the faster their bodies deteriorate. They make a perfect catch and release salmon. The Pinks show up in the middle of everything but only on the odd numbered years. The Silver Salmon or Coho are the last to show up in the river. You know that old saying... saving the best for last... while it is true. You will not find a better Salmon for sports fishing than the Silver Salmon.

The Other Fish of Goodnews River

Year round residents include Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling. This is Trophy Rainbow Trout terrain and the river yields trout between 20-25 inches in length and sometimes as long as 30 inches. These are explosive fighters that river the Silver Salmon. Along with the influx of Salmon come the sea run Dolly Varden, which are a beautiful char that range between 18-20 inches and equally fun to fish for on a fly. There is plenty of fishing to be had here at the Goodnews River Lodge.

Overall, expect a clean and comfortable lodge with friendly hosts, excellent guides, and plenty of fish to battle.

Featured Video of Goodnews River Lodge- Filmed by Justin Maxwell Stuart

Photos of Goodnews River Lodge

Goodnews River Lodge

Inside the Lodge

Guest Accommodations

Game Room

King Salmon

King Salmon

King Salmon

Fly Fishing for Salmon

Fly Fishing for Salmon

Sight Fly Fishing

Silver Salmon

Silver Salmon

Sockeye Salmon

Salmon Fishing on the Goodnews River

Leopard Rainbow Trout

Dolly Varden

Arctic Grayling

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TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating

5 Reviews
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TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

Do not waste your money

Reviewed By Fishingwithkels on November 14, 2022

I attached photos of their guide Ryan harassing me over social media for the harvesting of chinook salmon. Contacted the lodge to be dismissed and irritated that I even contacted them about their...
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Not as advertised on their website.

Reviewed By James M on September 21, 2022

The place is overcrowded. One of the guides repeatedly told me they had 13 boats but only had 12 good fishing spots on the river. They advertise hundreds of miles of river to fish but only fish...
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Epic salmon fishery

Reviewed By captwill on August 26, 2021

Good news river is a true wilderness, unspoiled by the civilized world and one of the last remaining gems in the sport of fly fishing. The fishing is clearly one of the best places in the world to...
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