Goodnews River

Your trip may start with a bush flight to Goodnews Lake and continue approximately 60 miles to the take out (approximately 5 miles above the village of Goodnews). Or you may choose the slightly smaller and lesser traveled “branches” of the Goodnews. You will be picked up by boat and towed to the airstrip in the town of Goodnews where you will take a wheeled airplane back to Bethel.  Minimum float is 5 days however most floaters prefer 7-10 days.

One of our easiest and most productive floats, the Goodnews River flows southwest from Goodnews Lake down the Goodnews Valley. The upper portion of the river has a slow current and lies within designated wilderness in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge surrounded by green tundra covered mountains.  The hours long sunsets with the volcano like darkened peaks are unsurpassed. The current increases in the middle section with no real obstructions along the route. The scenery, fishing, hiking and camping opportunities throughout the float are fantastic. Most of the shoreline is open tundra with some stands of willows and cottonwoods along the route. The lower 5 to 10 miles has a strong tidal influence which is why a boat pickup is recommended to get through this section back to the Village of Goodnews.

The Goodnews River offers excellent seasonal opportunities for Salmon, Dolly Varden, and trophy Grayling.  The Rainbows are here but maybe not quite the numbers you may find on some of our other rivers. The 22 inch plus Grayling may well make up the difference. The fishing begins each year in mid June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run.

Transportation Costs Include:

• Bush flight to Goodnews Lake
• Boat Shuttle from the river to town of Goodnews
• Wheeled flight back to Bethel
• All shuttles to and from Bethel airport 

TRANSPORTATION COST: $2245 + $100 boat shuttle – per person Goodnews Lake

TRANSPORTATION COST: $2450  + $100 boat shuttle – per person Middle Fork Lake

PLEASE NOTE: total price of the trip is transportation plus equipment rental pricing.  Equipment Rental pricing varies based on gear selection, number of days and group size.
Optional
Lodging in Bethel: $200.00 per person (Front or tail end of your trip)
Showers on return to Bethel: $40.00

Goodnews River Salmon Timing