Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska offers some of the most pristine waters and wilderness for sport fishing and sport hunting.

Catch of the day along Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve / Rebecca Latson

Sport Fishing

This national park and preserve protects the watershed for the perpetuation of the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery located in Bristol Bay. In addition to the five species of Pacific Salmon, anglers can hook a variety of other fish, including rainbow and lake trout.

The fishing season runs from May through October, peaking in July and August during the salmon runs. To cast a line into this park’s waters, you must possess all required Alaska state fishing licenses and tags, and you must comply with State of Alaska fishing regulations.

While the park’s most popular fishing spots are Crescent Lake, nestled within the Chigmit Mountains, and Silver Salmon Creek, which empties into Cook Inlet, there are also other lakes and rivers to challenge your angling skills.

Fish found within the more well-known lakes and rivers of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve / NPS table

Where ever you fish, you’ll be in bear country. As such, the park provides advice and rules for fishing alongside those big, brown bruins.

Bears Have Rights to the Prime Fishing Sites

• Fish are a critical food source for bears; give them plenty of time and room to fish.
• If a bear approaches while you are fishing, ensure you are not blocking its path. Back away from the shore and allow the bear to pass or fish.
• Find a new fishing site if yours is claimed by a bear.

Splashing Fish Attracts Bears

• If a bear is near enough to notice a fish splashing---STOP FISHING!
• If a bear approaches while you have a fish on the line, give it slack or cut the line to eliminate splashing and prevent the bear from taking the fish away from you.
• If a bear attempts to take fish from you, surrender your catch to the fast-moving current.

Secure Your Catch

• Fish remains attract bears. Clean your fish at the beach or shore and cast all remains into the ocean, lake, or river.
• If there are bears on the beach, it may be best to wait until you leave the area to clean your fish.
• Immediately store your fish in a bear-resistant container (available from your guide or from the ranger station at Silver Salmon Creek or the Visitor Center in Port Alsworth).

Fish and Travel in the Open

• Avoid places where geographic factors, such as heavy cover, prevent you from seeing what's ahead.
• Be alert and noisy in areas where the sound of running water may prevent you from hearing bears, and vise versa.
• Remember, bears that are surprised are dangerous.

Mercury Levels and Fish

When fishing the clear, cold waters of this national park and preserve, you might not think there would be any sort of danger in eating your catch. A 2014 United States Geological Survey report, however, indicates fish caught in two of the park’s lakes (Lake Clark, Kontrashibuna Lake) contain unusually high levels of mercury. While these finds are concerning, overall mercury levels in Alaska fish are low, so the only people who need to think about limiting the amount of fish they eat are women who are or can become pregnant, nursing mothers, and children age 12 years and under. Women and children can still get the benefits of eating fish by choosing to eat fish that are low in mercury, like salmon and humpback whitefish.

Sport Hunting And Trapping

Sport hunting and trapping are permitted in Lake Clark National Preserve, but not within the national park. It takes a great deal of planning and preparation for a hunting/trapping trip within this national preserve – perhaps even up to a year or more of planning, including finding a guide and reserving your dates.

If you are a non-resident, you are required to either use the services of a licensed hunting guide or to hunt with an Alaska resident who is a close relative. Citizens of foreign countries who have not established residency in the state of Alaska must be accompanied by a state licensed guide.

Lake Clark National Preserve is divided into three authorized guide areas: Stony River Guide Area, Mulchatna Guide Area and the Lake Clark Guide Area.

Overview of guide use areas, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve / NPS file

According to park staff:

There are currently two NPS concessioners authorized to guide sport hunting in these areas.

Stony River Guide Area

Arno Krumm Afield
northwardboundak.com
[email protected]

Mulchatna Guide Area and Lake Clark Guide Area

Bushwhack Alaska Guiding and Outfitting, LLC
bushwhackalaska.com
[email protected]
907-388-8766

You will need all the required licenses, tags, and permits for hunting in Alaska, and you should review and understand State of Alaska sport hunting and trapping regulations. Be mindful of potential hunting violations, including sport hunting within the national park boundaries, failing to salvage the meat, taking undersized game, and taking wolves or coyotes during the restricted period of May 1 through August 9.

Hunting trip arrangements can be made through lodges, air taxis, licensed big game transporters who are licensed by the State of Alaska, or incidental big game transporters (licensed air taxi operators that provide transport services for hunters). The list of companies authorized to operate within the park and preserve is a critical component for your trip planning.

For more information or clarification about hunting regulations, please contact the chief ranger.
Phone: 907- 644-3647
Email

Please keep in mind that many areas within the preserve are privately owned. Do not enter private land without the land-owner’s permission.