Fishing Trip in Kodiak and Katmai National Park

This six-day itinerary to Southwest Alaska’s Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park offers unparalleled fly-fishing in lush, remote surroundings, away from the crowds that often form around popular fishing spots on the mainland.

Note: A fishing license is required for visitors 16 years of age or older. Licenses can be purchased online or at most sporting goods or grocery stores in Alaska. Prices vary according to length of stay and species fished.

Day 1: Anchorage to Kodiak Island

Despite being an island in Alaska's remote Southwest region, Kodiak Island is incredibly easy to get to. From the Anchorage International Airport, multiple commercial flights run daily that get you to Kodiak in an hour. Settle in for the night at your accommodations in Kodiak, ranging from hotels to b&bs and vacation rentals. 

Day 2: Kodiak Island

Spend the day at the island’s best freshwater fishing holes. Hiring a fishing guide is the easiest way to success here, as local operators can take you straight to the best spots and provide all the gear you need. They’ll also help you stay “bear aware,” because where there are salmon, there are sure to be bears — and Kodiak’s massive brown bears are the largest in the world. If you’re fishing without a guide, you’ll need to rent gear from outfitters in town, as well as a rental car to reach the rich estuaries and beaches where salmon are most abundant during June, July, and August.

Day 3 - 4: Katmai National Park

You can actually see Katmai National Park from Kodiak Island; it takes only a short flight by small plane to get there. The hub of activity in Katmai is Brooks Camp, where you can cast your fly within sight of gigantic brown bears doing their own fishing. Just remember that bears have the right of way here. You can rent some angling essentials at Brooks Camp, and gear is provided through all-inclusive fishing packages and guided fishing trips in the park. If you're able to snag a reservation before they are booked up, spend the night in the campground or lodge at Brooks Camp, or one of the remote lodges in and around the park (be sure to book Katmai accommodations as soon as possible as they book up well in advance. The Brooks Lodge is only reservable through a lottery system two years in advance). If you're not able to overnight in Katmai, you can take a day trip via float plane from Kodiak to Katmai for independent or guided fishing.

If you're lucky enough to overnight in Katmai, spend another day enjoying the adrenaline rush of sharing a river with massive brown bears, or push deeper into Katmai for a more remote fishing experience. Besides salmon, you can fly-fish for abundant rainbow trout, grayling, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, and hungry northern pike in the park’s many large lakes and streams. Fly back to Kodiak in the evening.

Day 5: Kodiak

Today you'll enjoy a full day of saltwater fishing on a fishing charter departing from Kodiak Harbor. The waters off of Kodiak Island are rich with halibut, salmon, sea bass, lingcod, rockfish, and Pacific cod. Experienced local guides will take you to top fishing spots for an exciting day on the water. Overnight again in Kodiak. 

Day 6: Kodiak to Anchorage

Head back to Anchorage via commercial flight from Kodiak. If you have some time before starting your journey home, consider casting a fly in Ship Creek, a salmon stream that runs straight through downtown Anchorage. Just watch out for the muddy banks, which have bogged down more than one unwary angler. Other Anchorage attractions include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum, plus the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center south of town.