Northwest Drainages Management Area
Fishing Opportunities
Kobuk River Sheefish
Description
The Kobuk River flows from the Brooks Range over 400 miles to the Chukchi Sea. There are five villages along the river (Noorvik, Kiana, Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk) accessible by air from Kotzebue or Bettles, or by boat from Kotzebue. A large population of sheefish migrate upriver from Hotham Inlet beginning late-June. Fish travel over 300 miles to the spawning grounds, and spawn in September. Fishing is good early (July) in the lower river and upstream of Kobuk from mid-August to mid-September, with fish averaging 15-25 pounds. Some fish greater than 40 pounds are caught each year as well. Northern pike, Arctic grayling, and chum salmon can also be caught in the Kobuk River but the large sheefish are the most popular draw
Tackle
Large spoons fished deep work best, and large soft baits work well too. Flies can be productive in shallow water but should be large and flashy with a strong hook, and fished close to the bottom. Fly anglers should use a weighted-tip line, as Sheefish normally do not hit surface lures.
Getting There
Floaters usually get flown in by floatplane from Fairbanks or Bettles and are dropped off in the headwaters at Walker or Minakokosa lakes. Most floaters typically go 50-80 miles before getting picked up or flying out commercially from one of the villages. There is a section of rapids just below Walker Lake that requires 
portaging about ¼ mile, and several sections of Class III and IV water that may require lining, depending on water levels. The upper river can be accessed from Lake Minakokosa which avoids all of that whitewater, and still accesses the majority of the best sheefish angling. From Kotzebue, air charters can drop floaters off on gravel bars on the lower river. Access is possible by boat across Hotham Inlet to the river; however frequent winds can make boat travel from Kotzebue dangerous. Sport fishing guide operations can be found in the villages of Kiana, Ambler, and Kobuk.
Species
Dates
Ends: October 278
Regulations
Before you go fishing please check the regulations.