Wood River Lakes

The Wood River Lakes float starts at Kulik Lake 50 miles north of Dillingham. The trip length is about 120 miles and takes from 7 to 10 days. Due to the length of the trip and the size of the lakes, a raft with an outboard motor is recommended. This will provide for greater access and an opportunity to explore. There is a FRI cabin on the Wind River. The cabin may be used on a first come, first serve basis. An annual escapement of 1.3 million Sockeye Salmon feeds the entire Wood River system. This provides for a rich food source for all resident species of fish that feed on the Salmon. You may also see Eagles and Bear' feeding on the Salmon carcasses.

Your drop off at Kulik Lake puts you right into excellent fishing. A short hike up the Grant River on the North side of Lake Kulik takes you to good Rainbow fishing, and Grayling fishing at the outlet of Kulik Lake is also very good. The Grayling are big, weighing close to 3 pounds. From the outlet of Lake Kulik you go down the Wind River, which is Class 2 water, to Lake Mikchalk. The Wind River also has good Rainbow fishing with the average fish weighing 1.5 to 2 pounds; however, it is quite feasible for you to catch a three pound Rainbow and occasionally a 5 pounder. You can motor down Lake Mikchalk to the Peace River. The Peace River is a rearing ground for small Rainbow. The best place to fish the Peace River is where it flows into Beverly Lake.

Lake Beverly

Lake Beverly is 25 miles long and is a very scenic lake. Cruises through the Golden Horn and Silver Horn on the West End of the lake are spectacular. There is good char fishing the first part of August in both the Golden and Silver Horn. While motoring from the west to the East End of the lake you may be able to see moose and bears on the shoreline. The very East End of Lake Beverly has good pike fishing. On the northeast end of Lake Beverly, Moose, Hope, and Spider Creeks flow into the lake. Rainbow spawn in these creeks which are good for early season fishing. At the southeast end of Lake Beverly you come to the Agulukpak River.

Agulukpak River

The Agulukpak River is managed as a fly fishing only, catch and release fishery, which is about 2 miles long, and is Class 1 or 2 water depending on the water level. During the last week of August this river will have 250,000-sockeye spawning in it. The Agulukpak River is well known for it’s Rainbow fishing. This river has the highest density of Rainbow per river mile of anywhere in the state. Only a single-hook without bait artificial flies may be used from June 8 through August 31. Dry fly and nymphs will work well in July.

Peak fishing is August 15 through September 20 when egg patterns and flesh fly work well. This river is considered high use because of the daily lodge fly-in traffic; but, before 9 am and after 5 pm there is very little use. At the outlet of the Agulukpak River you come to Lake Nerka.

Lake Nerka

Lake Nerka is the largest of the five lakes in the system and is more than 50 miles from arm to arm. A little exploring on Amakuk Arm and Little Togiak Lake will show you some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. At the Northwest End of Amakuk Arm there are beautiful camping spots and good Char fishing. Elva Creek also provides very good Char fishing from August 20th through September.

Little Togiak River has good multi-species fishing for Rainbow, Grayling, and Char from the middle of July through early August. On the Southern Arm of Lake Nerka a walk up the creek which connects Lynx Lake to Lake Nerka will give you very good Rainbow and Grayling fishing. The East End of both arms of Lake Nerka has good Pike fishing.

At the end of Lake Nerka you will go down the Agulukwok River to Lake Aleknagik. The Agulukwok River is 5 miles long and is Class 1 water. The Agulukwok is also well know for it’s Rainbow fishing. It has one of the highest densities of Rainbow per river mile of anywhere in the state. The river is restricted to unbaited, single hook, artificial lures.

In addition, this river will have as many as 250,000 spawning Sockeye Salmon in late August. The Agulukwok River is considered a high use river because of lodge day traffic; however, there is very little use early or late in the day. At the bottom of the Agulukwok is Lake Aleknagik, where you will be picked up for your return to Dillingham. You will see more boat traffic on the lower end of the river as well as on Lake Aleknagik because it is easily accessed from Dillingham.

Cost

Cost for Wood River Float:

USGS maps: Dillingham and Goodnews 1: 250,000