The Mighty Nushagak River

Bristol Bay is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”

The Mighty Nushagak River feeding Bristol Bay is a fishery of spectacular proportions. With approximately 4,500 miles of streams, tributaries and river coverage this watershed is one of the most productive salmon spawning grounds in the world. The roughly 4.5 million acre watershed is a pristine wilderness.

The largest run of King Salmon in the world return yearly in a spectacular display of nature only an unspoiled wilderness can support. King, Chum, Reds, Pinks, Rainbow, Grayling, Char, Pike and White Fish inhabit these waters in staggering numbers. Its headwaters are famous for world class trophies of resident fish all supported and sustained by the largest salmon runs in existence.

The lands bordering the Nushagak have sustained the Native population with its bounty for untold centuries. As stewards of this watershed its magic has been respected and preserved by a population that has survived both the hard lands of western Alaska and the encroachment of modern civilization. For thousands of years the wise use of these resources has been the lifeblood of these communities.

The lands bordering the Nushagak owned and managed by the Choggiung LTD Native Corporation exceed 4 million acres. The continuing wisdom and management of their land is reflected in the ongoing policies aimed at preserving this resource. We operate as permitted guests of the Choggiung Native Corporation.

What makes the Nushagak unique is a combination of the relatively un crowded conditions and the largest King Salmon run in Alaska.

To assure the future of this region is as rich as its past numerous proactive regulations have been established by Choggiung to the benefit of everyone concerned. Access to the river is strictly controlled by the number of permitted overnight camps and their respective fishing guest. Permanent structures are not allowed on Choggiung land.

In 2006 total use permits on the Nushagak was limited to 10,440 man days on the river. The Choggiung issues permits based on any use of their lands therefore the camp help and guides are included in those totals. The probable number of anglers on the water was likely closer to 7,000 angler days on the water.

Imagine only approximately a thousand fishermen sharing this experience each year.

Few places in Alaska have endured the encroachment facilitated by modern transportation like this area. As sport fishing has grown in popularity so have the number of fishermen able to access its waters.

Alaska is reeling from the recent popularity and influx of sportsmen its spectacular outdoor opportunities provide. Many areas with easy access are stressed to the point that reactive restrictions have been implemented in an attempt to save those watersheds. The Department of Fish & Game is currently considering additional restrictions to access on some state waters and lands.

The Choggiung in their wisdom has controlled access on the Nushagak to maintain an exceptional wilderness experience and the best fishing environment there is. These are some of the reasons the Nushagak is famous for catching fish instead of fishing for them.

As a comparison the Kenai River was host in recent years to an average of 275,000 angler days on the water.
Compare that with the Choggiung policy of approximately 7,000 angler days on the river per season on the Nushagak.

According to Alaska Fish & Game guided fishermen on the Kenai catch one King every 10 to 14 hours on the water. Guided fishermen on the Nushagak probably average one King every hour or two at the least.

The Kenai has an allowable limit of 1 King to be tagged per year
The Nushagak has an allowable limit of 4 Kings to be tagged per year.

Regulations do not allow continued fishing the day a King is tagged on the Kenai.
Regulations allow catch and release after a King has been tagged on the Nushagak. We encourage catch and release of Hens and tagging the Bucks whenever possible.

The King run on the Nushagak has roughly 3 to 4 times as many Kings as on the Kenai. On the Nushagak in 2005 we had in excess of 181,000 Kings pass the sonar counting station in the river.

Our camp was the first overnight camp permitted by the Native Corp.

Our camp is a wilderness camp with modern conveniences offering running water, hot showers, wood floor wall tents, electricity, satellite phone and internet.

Please join us for the fishing experience of a lifetime and remember to give thanks to the insight shown by the Choggiung for making this unique opportunity possible.

Thank you for visiting our site and we hope you will join us on the Mighty Nushagak “Where the King Salmon run”.