Wood-Tikchik State Park
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Wood-Tikchik is the largest state park in the nation. The park is 1.6 million acres and was set aside as a park to protect the fish and wildlife of the area. Wood-Tikchik is west of Anchorage and best reached by floatplane. King, chum, pink, sockeye and silver salmon can all be fished for at Wood-Tikchik, as can rainbow trout, grayling, lake trout, arctic char, dolly varden and northern pike. Grizzlies frequent the region, so bring bear spray and make sure you are trained on its proper use. Tikchik Airventures offers guided air and fishing trips to Wood-Tikchik from Anchorage.
Tikchik Airventures
PO Box 71
Dillingham, AK 99576
907-842-5841
tikchikairventures.com
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a remote gem in western Alaska. One of the original purposes for the designation of the park was to ensure the continuation of the red salmon fishery in the region. Anglers can fish for red salmon, dolly varden, lake trout, whitefish, char, arctic grayling and northern pike. Rust's Air Service is based in Anchorage and will fly you in for single or multi-day fishing expeditions. All fishing gear, snacks, meals and gear are provided. Bears frequent the region and bear spray is recommended. There are a number of additional lakes in the area, including Two Lakes, Twin Lakes, Telaquana Lake and Turquoise Lake. It is possible to arrange a multi-lake trip with Rust's.
Rust's Flying Services
4525 Enstrom Cir
Anchorage, AK 99502
907-243-1595
flyrusts.com
Katmai National Park
For fly-in fishing trips, it is hard to imagine a more rugged or wild place than Katmai National Park. Brooks Camp and the McNeil River attracts hundreds of brown bears each year during the salmon runs, making for exciting fishing and photographic opportunities. Katmailand offers flight and fishing packages that depart from Anchorage. Silver, king and red salmon have runs during the summer and early fall in Katmai. A recent census taken found 2000 brown bears in the region so be sure you are prepared for potential encounters. The park is carefully monitored and regulated. Food and fish storage must be done according to a strict set of rules. All visitors should be familiar with them prior to fishing the waters.
Katmailand
4125 Aircraft Drive
Anchorage, AK 99502
907-243-0649
katmailand.com
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
