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Mountain views on Lake Iliamna Alaska
Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo, Reuben Reynoso
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Iliamna

Iliamna

Iliamna is a small community situated on the northwest shore of Lake Iliamna, the largest lake in Alaska and second largest freshwater lake in the United States (after Lake Superior). 

ABOUT ILIAMNA (DENA'INA ATHABASCAN)

Originally an Athabascan village near the mouth of the Iliamna River, the community was moved to its present location around 1935. Today, the mainstay of the economy for many of the 50 residents are the fishing and hunting lodges in and around Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark.

THINGS TO DO

Located 30 miles south of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, the town of Iliamna is one of the gateways to the 5,625-square-mile preserve, but its principal attraction is Lake Iliamna and the nearby rivers and streams. With a length of 75 miles and 20 miles wide, the lake covers 1,000 square miles and is home to the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Other world-class fishing includes Dolly Varden, arctic char, lake trout, and grayling. The lake is connected to Bristol Bay by the Kvichak River, through which some marine mammals such as harbor seals and beluga whales can travel. Iliamna sometimes boasts a resident population of harbor seals.

From Iliamna’s gravel airstrips or floatplane bases, charter flights transport visitors to a wide variety of fly-in fishing and wilderness lodges, ranging from rustic to luxurious, where you can truly escape into this pristine wilderness. All offer accommodations, meals, and numerous activities, from fishing and kayaking to hiking and wildlife viewing. Most are reached via a float plane from Anchorage or Iliamna.

Two fishing lodges are located in Iliamna, offering comfortable lodging, hearty meals, and access to remote fishing locations via float plane or jet boat, with opportunities for fishing for all five species of salmon, halibut, trout, Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, and northern pike.

Learn more about fishing in Alaska.

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