Kuskokwim Drainage Management Area
Fishing Opportunities

The Kanektok River flows west from Kagati Lake in the Eek Mountains to the Kuskokwim Bay at the village of Quinhagak.  The river flows within the boundaries of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and the upper portion is within the Togiak Refuge Wilderness area. The upper river is small and clear, and has excellent fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling.  During early and mid-summer, there is also fishing for king salmon and sockeye salmon, and in late summer and fall, fishing for coho salmon.  The entire area is wilderness and contains no development.  Bears are abundant, and anglers should act appropriately.  Access is normally by floating from Kagati Lake at the head of the Kanektok River to Quinhagak’s old airport, which is about 90 miles, and the float is likely to take a week or more.  Once at the old airport, which is on the river, there is a local service that will take you to the new airport (a distance of 5 miles) for a fee.

Floaters should be aware of an ADF&G floating weir at 59° 46.212`N, 161° 04.010`W.  The weir can be floated over by rafts, and sections suitable for passing over should be indicated with flags.  The weir is made of plastic, so please avoid standing on it, and fishing is prohibitied within 300 feet of the weir.

Fishing with egg patterns can be productive, particularly during salmon spawning.   Silver and flashy streamers work well, and sometimes dry flies are the tackle of choice.  Rainbows are also known for hitting mouse patterns fished on the surface.  Anglers using spinning gear will have good luck with a variety of spinners, spoons, and jigs, particularly flashy orange and pink or light colored ones.

The Kanektok River is typically accessed by float plane to Kagati Lake. The float to Quinhagak takes a week or more. There are air taxi and outfitting services available in both Dillingham and Bethel that can provide transportation and rental of rafts and other gear. There is scheduled air service out of Quinhagak, and transportation from the public access at the old airport to the new airport must be arranged in advance.  The river is all Class I, but there are a number of sweepers which require some boating skill, and there can be log jams that require a portage of some distance. There is also lots of good information on the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge Plan Your Visit webpage.

Arctic Grayling
Coho Salmon
Dolly Varden
King Salmon
Rainbow Trout
Sockeye Salmon

Begin: June 152
Ends: September 258

Before you go fishing please check the regulations.