Nushagak

Major Rivers in Bristol Bay

The Nushagak is one of the major rivers in Bristol Bay. From start to finish the Nushagak is 285 miles long.The part of the river you will be floating is the upper Nushagak.

The Nushagak River float starts downstream of Big Bend, which is 100 miles north of Dillingham and terminates at Koliganek. This is about 80 miles and is good for a seven day float. I can also pick you up lower down the river around Portage Creek and would be happy to give you a price quote for whatever pick-up location you choose.

The land around the Nushagak is rich in game and the river has a large healthy Salmon run. It attracts a lot of people to the river. The river is big enough to accommodate float planes and 18 foot boats with prop driven outboards.

There are generally three different user groups on this river.

• The first is the subsistence hunter. These are local residents of nearby villages who travel on the river to private property and hunt for Moose or Caribou. Local residents will be on the river all year long.

• The second user group is the sport hunter. Sport hunters arrive August 10 through October 10. There are numerous guides who operate on the river, and there are also self-guided hunters floating or being dropped off on the river.

• The third user group on the river is the sport fisherman. There are 3 or 4 tent camps on the river between Big Bend and the King Salmon River. Below the King Salmon down to Harris Creek there are numerous day camps that the local fly-out fishing lodges use. These day fishermen are targeting Rainbow, Silvers and Kings.

The portion of the Nushagak River that is included in this float has anywhere from 10,000 to 70,000 Red Salmon swim up it. This part of the river also has a Coho run of 7,000 to 70,000.

Coho start showing up in early August in small shots. The peak numbers of Coho are in the river on the 20th of August and are spawning by mid September. This part of the river also has anywhere from 500 to 7,000 Kings run up it. The Kings are in the river from July 10th until the King season closes July 25th. The King Salmon River gets half of the Kings that come into the upper Nushagak. King Salmon returns are presently at a 10 year high and are expected to be strong for the next couple of years.

The river is also good for Rainbow fishing from the first of August through September. The peak for Rainbow fishing is from August 20 to September 10. The Chichitnok River to Harris Creek section is a special management area for Rainbow. This area allows single hook, artificial lure, catch and release only for Rainbow. The Dolly and Grayling fishing is fair to good on this river also.

Costs

Cost to float the Upper Nushagak:
Drop off at Chichitnok (Beaver) $4,600
Pickup at King Salmon Outlet $4,000
Or, Pick up at Portage Creek $1,200

Call for quotes for a pick-up at other locations along the Nushagak
Raft Rental $120/day 13 ft Sotar with rowing frame.