Iliamna River Lodge is located two hundred miles southwest of Anchorage on the east end of Lake Iliamna, in the Bristol Bay watershed. The rivers and streams in the area are world renowned for their runs of wild Pacific Salmon and thriving resident populations of Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, and Dolly Varden.
Iliamna River Lodge is a premier fly-out fishing lodge on the banks of the Iliamna River only accessible by float plane or jet boat, and is an excellent candidate for couples, families, and hard-core anglers alike. The Iliamna River is known for its gin-clear water clarity, the abundance of moose, bear, and eagles who call the river home, the millions of Pacific Salmon that make their run up this river, and a sight fishing game to trophy Rainbow Trout and Arctic Char unlike anywhere else in the area. Guests fish the “Ili,” as the lodge’s guides refer to it, and - with the use of the lodge’s aviation program - hundreds of miles of nearby rivers, creeks, and lakes (flight times range from 20 minutes to 1 hour), many of which are located in national and state parks and federal wildlife refuges with little or no human development. Western Alaska is the last American frontier in the world of fly-fishing, and when people close their eyes and dream about Alaska, Iliamna River Lodge is what they see.
Location: Pedro Bay, Alaska
Species: Trophy Rainbow Trout, Four Species of Pacific Salmon, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Grayling, Northern Pike, Lake Trout
Seasonality: June - October
Rates: $11,000 // 6 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
Reach out to our team in the travel department to learn more about our experiences at Iliamna River Lodge.
Phone: (888) 824-5420 or (214) 219-2500
Email: travel@tailwatersflyfishing.com
Iliamna River Lodge flies to over thirty of Bristol Bay’s best river systems. Depending on the specific rivers to be fished, on any given day guests either walk and wade streams or access more remote fishing areas by jet-boat or raft after delivery to the area by aircraft. Fish species available throughout the season include the Pacific Salmon species of chum, sockeye, pink, and silver, as well as the resident fish species of rainbow trout, arctic char, dolly varden, arctic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout.
The lodge maintains a huge fleet of jet boats stashed on various rivers throughout the region ensuring that travel time is cut and that there is no shortage of exploration of each river in search of the best fishing. Float trips in comfortable rafts are also part of the weekly routine depending on the anglers’ interests. Perhaps the most unique part of the fishing program is the option to go halibut fishing. This opportunity is possible given the lodge’s prime location to Williamsport.
Catering to 8 to 10 guests per week, the lodge’s well-appointed facility offers casually elegant wilderness living filled with creature comforts and an atmosphere of camaraderie. Following an adventurous fishing day, IRL guests relax over cocktails in the hot tub overlooking the Iliamna River or enjoy restorative quiet time in the new onsite sauna. Hors d'oeuvres are served inside the main building while fishing tales are exchanged among the guests, or emails are checked accessing the lodge’s satellite WiFi. Meals are also taken in the main building where dinner is often interrupted with bear and moose sightings right outside. The lodge is equipped with a bar, surround music, guitar for musically-inclined guests, and panoramic views of the river, float plane, and mountains waiting outside.
Their accessibility to daily flights from Anchorage allows their world-class chef to pamper guests with meals of the freshest ingredients. They serve only the finest meats and wild game (moose is a commonly prepared dish during the week!), have access to the freshest salmon and halibut on earth, and have fresh produce delivered weekly. The lodge employs a full time professional chef that turns out phenomenal meals from fresh seafood to steaks made-to-order. Honestly, the meals at Iliamna River Lodge are often one of the top points of positive feedback from guests.
Iliamna River Lodge operates on a Sunday – Saturday schedule.
The first leg of the trip is accomplished by guests reaching Anchorage, Alaska for an overnight before taking a regional flight to Pedro Bay the next day. Upon arrival in Pedro Bay, lodge staff will be waiting for you with a van to transfer you via enclosed cabin jet cruiser across Lake Iliamna to the lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, guests have time to unpack and get oriented before participating in hors d'oeuvres, meeting guides, and getting outfitted with any necessary gear.
Alaska Iliamna River Lodge is open from early June through early October.
Choosing a date to fish anywhere in Western Alaska depends on which species you would like to target. Fishing is excellent all season, but the conditions and species available vary from month to month and may impact when you decide to visit. All months are excellent for viewing wildlife, and anglers often find themselves sharing the river or stream with multiple grizzly bears doing a little fishing of their own. The annual salmon run plays a huge role in the productivity and style of fishing. Every summer, millions of Pacific Salmon return to their home streams to spawn and die, contributing in the natural cycle of life that maintains the health and productivity of the fishery.
Although fishing is the predominant activity at Iliamna River Lodge, we encourage non-angling companions to visit the lodge as well. Perhaps the best way to see Alaska’s beautiful countryside, wildlife, and wilderness is on a fly-out fishing trip. Although daily activities are oriented around fishing, guests at IRL can detour to enjoy some wildlife viewing, valley of 10,000 smokes, go on a hike, take a summit bike ride, visit the ocean, kayak down the Iliamna River, scout for moose sheds, etc. IRL is by no means a pretentious “fly fishing only” program. The staff is known for making guests feel like family, which is why so much of IRL’s schedule is booked with returning clients.
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Iliamna River Lodge’s policy follows: A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. All deposits are non-refundable unless clients can be replaced. Full payment may be transferred to another guest for original dates. No credits or refunds are given for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.
Given the strict cancellation and refund policies associated with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress enough the importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect your investment. Redpoint Travel Protection / Ripcord offers competitive medical/cancellation/interruption coverage to couple with their industry-leading medical evacuation services. Click here to learn more and contact us to generate a quote.