Fishing Adventures on the Klutina and Gulkana Rivers
Gakona Lodge is blessed by the fact that we have access to great fishing
(and it’s not combat fishing.)
If you're looking for a guide try
Great Alaska Fishing.
See our links of interest for other guides. When we talk about fishing, what rivers are we talking about…
Klutina River
The Klutina
River is
accessed via the Richardson Highway about 12 miles south of Glennallen.
Gakona Lodge is about 30 miles away.
The Klutina River has good runs of both
Alaska King (chinook) salmon and
the world famous Copper Red (sockeye) salmon. The Klutina provides
excellent opportunities for roadside anglers to catch
sockeye salmon! The river
is glacial and swift which produces ideal red salmon fishing opportunities.
The salmon run close to the shore to avoid the main current of the river.
The more productive fishing spots include fishing at one of the two bridge
crossings on the highway system, or one of the many river access points
along the road to Klutina Lake. The road to Klutina Lake is rough in
areas, particularly further up toward the lake. There are many guides that offer jet boat service for kings, but
there is also hike accessible access to the confluence on the downstream
side of the confluence with the Copper River. In addition, the rough road
leading to Klutina Lake has side roads and trails that lead to the
river. Typically, the farther up toward the lake one travels the better the
fishing opportunity for landing kings. Please be aware that Ahtna Incorporated (a native corporation) owns
much of the property surrounding the river. Please respect their property rights. For guides, see our links page
or we would be happy to provide guide service to you at
www.greatalaskafishing.com. For additional
do-it-yourself info on Alaska fishing, see
www.alaskaroadsidefishing.com.
Gulkana River
The Gulkana River is accessed via the
Richardson Highway, just north of the town of Glennallen or adjacent Gakona
Lodge. The Gulkana is known for its excellent grayling fishing and also has
respectable runs of both Alaska King (chinook) salmon and the world famous
Copper Red (sockeye) salmon. Rainbow trout are also present in the Gulkana
River.
There are 83 miles of
Gulkana River between Paxon Lake and the Richardson Highway bridge. Roads
and trails departing the Richardson Highway provide access to portions of
the river. Floating the 50 mile stretch from Paxon Lake to Sourdough is the
best way to access the upper section of river, but there are also two trails
about 7 miles long that provide access to this section as well. Near mile
marker 169, the Meirs Lake, Middle Fork trail takes off and leads to the
confluence of the Middle Fork. Near mile marker 161, the Haggard Creek trail
leads to the Canyon Rapids section of the Gulkana.
Easier access via the
road system is on the lower part of the river at the following areas:
- Richardson Highway bridge, near
mile marker 127. Pull-out near mile marker
129 with a trail leading a little over a mile to the river.
- Sailers Pit
access road that leads 1 mile to the river just past mile marker 129.
- Just
before mile marker 137, a gravel road leads a little over 1/4 mile to the
river.
- One-half mile short of mile marker 140, there is a pull-out with a
trail that leads approximately one-half mile to the river.
- Sourdough
campground road is accessed off the Richardson Highway mid-way between mile
markers 147 and 148. Jet boats access the river from this campground and
mainly travel upriver in salmon season.
- Gakona Lodge has access to the mouth via the Lodge.
Please be aware that Ahtna Incorporated (a
native corporation) owns much of the property surrounding the river. Please respect their property rights. For guides, see our links page or we would be happy to provide guide
service to you at
www.greatalaskafishing.com.
For additional do-it-yourself info on Alaska fishing, see
www.alaskaroadsidefishing.com.
Valdez
On a clear day, Valdez is one of the
most scenic towns in Alaska! The drive from Gakona Lodge (16 miles north of Glennallen) down to Valdez is spectacular as well featuring snow capped
mountains, glaciers, and magnificent water falls!
There are two primary ways to fish
Valdez:
-
Go to Allison Point and fish for pink salmon
or silver (coho) salmon. In season, both provide incredible action
from the bank!
-
Hire a charter to take you fishing out toward
where Prince William Sound meets the Gulf of Alaska. Tip:
It's a long ride - hire a charter with a fast boat! Halibut,
Rockfish, and Cod are the primary species targeted by charter boats.
Charters out of Valdez also offer overnight trips for salmon shark.
We would be happy to assist you with a guide.
-
Towards the middle of August, the Silver
Salmon start running. It is a great opportunity for extraordinary
action. For guides, see our links page or we would be happy to
provide guide service to you at
www.greatalaskafishing.com.
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