Our Fishing Program

There are 3 major river systems within 3 miles (2 within 1 mile).

There are 7 streams within 3 miles that salmon run (4 within 1 1/4 miles).

Within a 20 mile radius of the Lodge, Salmon run in 5 major lakes, 8 rivers, and over 35 streams.

We regularly fish over 10 different creeks and streams, ranging from fishing the mouth only in one, to fishing the entire length of another. We fish a variety of different sized streams ranging from small (ankle deep) to larger (waist deep). Because of our location, we have had some groups fish a new stream everyday for a week, although most groups fish 4 or 5 different streams and then double up on the real hot ones.

After enjoying a scenic 45 minute flight from Anchorage, your fishing begins shortly after landing on the airstrip next to the lodge. After a quick tour of the lodge and quick change, you're off to the streams.

You will fish every single day of your stay, if you wish. You will also see many different creeks and streams and you will also have the opportunity to fish waters that have never been fished before. When we say never, we mean never. We occasionally go exploring up and down the rivers looking for side channels and back waters to try out. Sometimes we find real gems, like Joe's Hole, and the Guests are thrilled when they finally realize that they are the first people to have ever caught fish in that spot.

If you wish to keep salmon to take home, we clean, fillet, vacuum pack, freeze, and package them in a box for you. At Lake Marie Lodge, we do not keep resident native fish, such as Rainbow Trout.

On the last day of your trip, you will be able to fish all day until we need to meet the airplane about 5:00 p.m. for the flight back to Anchorage.

Most Guests fish in the morning and early afternoon, and then head back to the Lodge to pack and shower. We do, however, have a few die hard anglers who pack their bags the night before and fish their entire last day, right up until they see the plane arriving

While you might not be quite that die hard about fishing, it is important for you to choose a lodge that has great fishing on your two flying days (when you are flying in to the lodge and when you are flying back to town). It is hard to believe, but some lodges do not allow you to fish on your two travel days. These lodges are usually large in size, own several airplanes, and do their own flying. Even with several airplanes, a lodge cannot transfer 20 Guests (much less 30-40) to town and return with 20 more and still have time to take you fishing. Even if the lodge only has to carry 20 guests one way (for example, from town to the lodge), there usually isn't enough time for you to safely fly out again to fish on the same day. The airplanes may also be tied up flying the other remaining Guests in and out to fish.

It is very important for a lodge to have quality fishing nearby for you on your two traveling days.

Your Fishing Day

Your fishing day actually starts the night before when you sit down with the guides to develop a plan for the following day. Several factors that are considered include: which species your group would like to catch (Rainbow, Salmon, Grayling...), water conditions, what type of fishing (wading, boat fishing, bank fishing, or hike in), which areas have been productive the last couple of days, and how much effort your group would like to expend (from extreme remote hike in to fishing near the boat landing). Also decided is what time your group would like to get up and eat breakfast. After several days of early risings, some Guests prefer to sleep in a little. Because of our smaller lodge size, it is easier for us to accommodate any changes that your group might have.

Also discussed as an option is the separating of a group, each going to a different location to fish.

Part of a group might want a hike-in trip which might be too strenuous for other members, or several members might wish to return to a particular creek while the others might want to fish a new area. Again, this is possible because of our smaller operation. With an average of about 8-10 Guests, we are much more able to accommodate any changes than a lodge who runs 30-50 Guests. We try harder to provide individualized fishing and more personal service than most other lodges.

After the fishing plan is devised, the following morning hot coffee and breakfast is served. After breakfast we head out to fish. Lunch is carried with us and usually consists of sandwiches, chips, drinks, snacks, and cookies. Fresh salmon is sometimes cooked on the riverbank, (depending on fire conditions), as an extra course for lunch. We try to get back to the lodge on time for dinner around 6 or 7:00 p.m.(Depending upon what was decided the night before). After dinner, we again discuss the options for the following day, and after listening to the Guests' fishing report, determine where everyone would like to fish.

Fishing Options

The fishing options (where to fish) can be divided into two categories, out in front of the Lodge and behind the Lodge. The Lodge is located one mile back from the river, and "out in front" includes 2 major river systems and over 10 creeks and streams, while "behind the lodge" includes 1 major river system and several creeks.

Out in Front

The creeks and streams "out in front" are accessed first by 6-wheeler down to the boat landing (one mile) and then by river boat. The actual destination determines which boat is used as some boats are specifically designed for different types of water. Here are some of the places we fish when we are "out in front."

If we decide to go up one of the river systems to access and fish a more remote stream, (pictured at right), we are required to use a shallow running boat because of the lower water levels and rocky river bottom. We use either small jet boats (16 ft. with 40 HP outboard jets), or we can sometimes use another 24 ft. boat outfitted with a lift. The lift raises the motor vertically (without tilting) and allows for boat operation in moderately shallow water.

After fishing several miles up the stream pictured above, these anglers (below) have had the pleasure of fishing some of the remotest waters in Alaska. Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling were caught by the scores, along with Silver Salmon. King Salmon also run this creek earlier in the summer.

If we decide to go down river from our boat landing, we might stop at the creek (pictured at right) where this King Salmon was caught. In this particular creek we are able to motor up several miles, with almost any boat, and fish many holes and bends. As you can see in the background it is a slow moving creek with very little current. This creek also has runs of silvers, sockeyes, chum, and pink salmon.

Behind the Lodge

The creeks and streams of our second category of places to fish, which we call "behind the lodge," are accessed by 6-wheelers and hiking. We ride the 6-wheelers and trailers 3/4 of a mile behind the lodge to enter an area that sees very little human activity. This is a river system that is extremely hard to access and is the primary reason why Lake Marie Lodge is located where it is. We are located exactly between the fishing in front of the lodge and the fishing behind the lodge. This mid-point puts the lodge one mile inland from the network of the main river systems, which adds a few minutes of travel time if we go fishing "out in front", but it also puts the lodge within 3/4 of a mile of the fantastic fishing of the area we call "behind the lodge."

When we go behind the lodge, the first stream we encounter, (pictured at right), is fast, rocky, and deep. Several of the holes are over 10 ft. deep, and King Salmon and Silver Salmon use these holes as resting areas during their salmon runs. The Rainbow Trout are very thick and they also winter over in this stream.

	Another area we fish behind the lodge has miles of great wading. This Stream has great runs of Kings, Silvers, and Pinks, along with great Rainbow Trout and fantastic Arctic Grayling.
Can you spot the spawning King Salmon in the water? Its tail touches the left border of the picture. This picture emphasizes the need for polarized sunglasses! Two Rainbow Trout were caught out of this hole right after the picture was taken.