Fly-out lodge
Daily floatplane trips to the best water, guides, meals, everything included.
Alaska fishing · fly in · No fee to you
Bristol Bay Fishing
The largest sockeye run on Earth. Bears included.
Fly-in lodges on the largest sockeye run on Earth. Bears included.
Overview
Why Bristol Bay.
Bristol Bay is the bucket-list fly-in. Its rivers host the largest sockeye salmon run on the planet, along with kings, silvers, and rainbow trout that grow huge on salmon eggs. There are no roads; you arrive by floatplane, and the lodge is the only building for miles.
Expect long days, a lot of fish, and bears on the bank. Lodges range from rustic camps to very comfortable, and most fly out daily to a different river depending on conditions.
Species & season
What you'll catch, and when.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- King salmon
Typical season: June – Sept
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Runs shift with the year. Tell us the fish you want most and we'll aim your dates at it.
Trip types
Ways to do Bristol Bay.
River camp
Tent or cabin camps on one river system, simpler and less expensive.
Float trip
Multi-day raft trips down a wilderness river for experienced adventurers.
Things to do
Build the days around Bristol Bay.
Add any of these to your trip. Your planner books them with people we trust, at no fee to you.
Half-day fishing charter
Four to five hours on the water with a licensed captain. Good first day or last day.
Full-day charter
The real deal: farther out, more species, more fish in the box.
Fly-out fishing day
Float plane to a river or lake nobody else can reach. Bucket-list stuff.
Fish processing & shipping
Vacuum-packed, frozen and waiting at your door when you get home.
Bear viewing or glacier day
The trip the non-anglers talk about afterwards. Boat or float plane, half a day.
Lodge dinner
Your catch cooked for the table, and everyone lying about the size of it.
Getting there
Fly to Anchorage, then a commercial flight to King Salmon or Dillingham, then a floatplane to the lodge.
We book the flights, the floatplane and the transfers as part of the trip, so you only have to show up.
Good questions
Before you go.
When should I go?
Sockeye peak late June through July, kings in July, silvers in August, and the biggest rainbows feed in August and September.
Is it safe with the bears?
Guides manage bear encounters daily. Follow their lead and it is one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
How far in advance should I book?
Good lodges fill 12 to 18 months out for prime weeks. Tell us early and we will hold options.
Traveler reviews
What travelers said about Bristol Bay.
Ready for Bristol Bay?
Tell us what you want to catch and who's coming. A person who has fished it will reply with a plan. No fee to you.