Kanektok River
Kanektok River-A floaters dream -A little rowing experience goes a long way. Great float with incredible numbers of all 5 species of Salmon, Leopard Rainbows, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, & Grayling
Your Kanektok River adventure starts with a float plane flight to Pegati Lake. From there you float approximately 100 miles to the take-out in Quinhagak where you will be taken back to Bethel in a wheeled plane. This river floats comfortably in 7 days, but most fishermen prefer 8-12 days. If hiking and fishing with layover days are preferred two weeks is not enough.
The Upper Kanektok River flows west through the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge through the foothills of the Akhlun Mountains. Early season snow covered peaks will give way to crystal clear waters and unlimited camping and unsurpassed fishing.
The middle portion of the river braids out as the river flows out of the hills into the tundra filled lowlands. As a result, fishing really picks up. Whether you are sight fishing for salmon or casting to rainbows dollies and grayling below the redds you will be amazed.
As one of our larger and longer rivers, the Kanektok is the floaters dream. A floater may catch fish all day without leaving the raft. A fishermen can still explore structure on and off the main channel in search of that trophy fish. The biomass in this river is amazing. Being a “popular” river it is not uncommon to run into a couple groups on the upper 77 miles of the river. (It is also possible at certain times to float it on your own). The lower portion of the river loses its “remote feeling” but in no way loses the exceptional fishing. Rafters will spend time sharing the lower water with lodges and motor boat traffic.
Options are available for a boat pickup at the refuge boundary to avoid the lodge traffic below. You will not be competing for campsites top or bottom. Remote floating by lower 48 or anchorage standards and amazing scenery wildlife and fishing by any other standard. Although the Kanektok is a great 1st trip river, we have many clients that pilgrimage to “the chosen river” year after year.
Fishing Overview
The fishing begins each year in late June as the Kings, Chum and Sockeye move into the lower river with top to bottom Rainbow fishing and culminates each year in mid-September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak at the end of Silver Salmon run. July and August offer amazing variety and incredible numbers of fish with the possibility of crystal clear water and sight fishing for all species. In addition to the Rainbow Trout and Salmon fishing, the Kanektok also offers great Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing.
Transportation Costs Include:
- Bush flight to Pegati Lake
- Transfer (River shuttle) from river to Quinhagak Airport
- Wheeled flight to Bethel
- All shuttles to and from Bethel airport
TRANSPORTATION COST: $1,900 per person + $25 vehicle shuttle to airport
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 end or tail end of your trip)
Showers on return to Bethel: $40.00
Kanektok River Salmon Timing
| Salmon Species | Lower River | Mid-Upper River | Comments |
| King (Chinook) | Late June | July | |
| Dog (Chum) | Late June | Mid to Late July | |
| Red (Sockeye) | Early July | Mid to Late July | Limited Opportunity |
| Pink (Humpy) | Late July | Late July – August | Even Year Return |
| Coho (Silver) | Early August | Mid August- Early September |
