room Kvichak River The world's largest Salmon Run and Trophy class Rainbow Trout
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Read 5-Star Reviews from our Guests!

The Kvichak Lodge is located approximately 240 miles southwest of Anchorage in southwestern Alaska. The lodge is situated about one half mile from the mouth of Lake Iliamna.
•   Alaska's Best Fishing Experience   •

The Kvichak Lodge is independently owned. Mike McDowell provides over 30 years experience on the Kvichak River and has the top fishing guides working with us.

wifi Free WiFi pets Pet Friendly restaurant_menu Free Breakfast local_bar Lounge & Bar flight Free Airport Transportation

Meet Your Hosts

The Kvichak Lodge is independently owned & operated by Mike McDowell, who has 30+ years experience on the Kvichak River working with top fishing guides.

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Greatest Fishing

Our guides are well trained and highly skilled professionals, taking every measure to ensure you have the best authentic Alaskan fishing experience possible.

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The Kvichak Lodge

Built in the mid 60's, the Kvichak Lodge has continuously operated for 70 years. It has been written about by James Michener and Ernest Hemmingway.

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•   2022 Fishing Schedule   •

A Guided Alaskan Fishing experience

JuneJulyAugustSeptember

Kings, Chinooks

The largest of the Pacific Salmon, Kings are the first to return to their birthplace to spawn and die. Adults weigh from 15 to 60 lbs. but expect those in the 25 to 50-pound class to give you a most sensational challenge on rod and reel.

        

Reds, Sockeye

The Kvichak River is historically the largest Sockey Salmon run in the world.

        

Cohos, Silvers

Most of the Mighty Cohos's weigh between 8 and 12 pounds.

        

Rainbow Trout

Rainbows in Alaska naturally occur up to 24 lbs. or better in the Iliamna, Bristol Bay drainages. The current Kvichak Lodge trout record is 23.3 lbs. caught in September of 99.

        

Dolly Varden

        

Pike

Smallest of the Pacific Salmon, averaging between 3 and 5 pounds, arrive in mid-July and August. What Pinks lack in size, they make up for in aggressiveness and non-stop action.

        

Grayling

Grayling are God's gift to entry level fly rodders and light tackle fanatics. Most Grayling average 10 to 14 inches with trophies measuring 21 inches and weighing 4 lbs.

        

Char

        

Chum, Pink Salmon

Chum Salmon average 8 to 12 lbs. Pink Salmon is the smallest of the Pacific Salmon, averaging between 3 and 5 lbs.

       
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★

2021 was a great year at the Kvichak Lodge. Mike McDowell, the owner, his talented guides, and Mary the chef made for a tremendous fishing trip with my buddies. Mike's continual upgrading of the facility, the knowledge and hard work of the guides, arrival of the sockeye salmon in bunches ,and the scrumptious meals prepared by Mary made the trip fantastic. A big Thank You to Mike and his staff!

- RX777
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Just finished enjoying my fifth trip to Mike McDowell and staff at the Kvichak Lodge. We love the accommodations with window views overlooking the river and wildlife...Mary was our gourmet chef and meals were outstanding. We finished up with crab and prime rib feast...Hoping to return for other great adventures in Alaska at Mike’s Kvichak Lodge.

- GrandTour647980
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

If you want a down to earth authentic fishing experience- this is the place. The lodge owner, Mike, is the most personable man along with his guides and staff...The guides were VERY knowledgeable of the river and knew just where to catch the fish. There’s a hit rock sauna, clay shooting, and Mike will even take you up in his plane to go view the bears in the area...I would highly recommend this lodge. It’s not commercialised. It’s a comfortable, casual place. Just what you would expect an Alaskan lodge to be. Had such a fun time!

- AKKellie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had the pleasure of spending a week at Kvichak Lodge! Mike and his team are 100% dialed into assuring YOU HAVE A WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCE! They had the beverages & food everyone in our party like. Let me assure you ALL MEALS WERE 5 STAR QUALITY. My wife told the team a KVICHAK LODGE my favorite cake is German Chocolate. Well, we celebrated my birthday while at Kvichak Lodge. They made a German Chocolate cake for my birthday cake. To this day that German Chocolate cake is still THE BEST German Chocolate cake I have had. Thank you Mike and team for the best fishing/wildlife vacation experience I have had the pleasure to experience!

- Bledsoe M
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

From the lodge, rainbow trout, char, and grayling fishing are all easily accessible from the bank or by boat. The rainbow trout here are incredible and it's very common to catch a 30" or bigger rainbow. Fishing here is so good that other lodges are bringing in clients by float plane or boat. Guides were friendly, knowledgeable and did a great job of getting us on the fish. All rods and tackle are provided and were top notch. Boats were in great shape and had quiet 4 stroke outboards...Lodge is comfortable and has all the amenities you need.

- CJBake3
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It was one of the best fishing experiences Easton (Michener’s friend) would encounter, a delightful change from the British tradition of either New Zealand or Scotland. The Kvichak was a rough, bitterly cold, turbulent river flowing out of a lake fed by glaciers, and the peoples who frequented it were as rough as the river...they fished for 40 lbs. salmon and 18 lbs. trout, and they saw moose along the banks of the river, and wild fox...It’s really like nothing else left on earth. And I want to go back.

- Author James Michener
Pulitzer Prize and Presidential Medal of Freedom Honoree