Northwest Drainages Management Area
Fishing Opportunities
Noatak River Dolly Varden
Description
The Noatak is a large clearwater river that flows from the Schwatka Mountains in the Noatak National Preserve to Kotzebue Sound just north of Kotzebue. There’s excellent fishing for Dolly Varden, chum salmon, and Arctic grayling from July through September. Anglers normally float the river from one of the many tributary streams and either get picked up by charter plane in the lower river or take out at the village of Noatak and fly out on a commercial flight. There are a few short sections of Class II, but most of the river, while big water, is a pretty easy float. Chum salmon typically start entering the river in early July, the Dolly Varden in mid-July, and both can be caught into September. The Arctic grayling can be caught throughout the open water season
Tackle
Dolly Varden can be caught on all kinds of 
spinners, spoons, and soft baits. Green seems to be the best color. Fly fishing in shallow water can be productive with large leech, wooly bugger, and muddler minnow patterns. Arctic grayling can be caught on the same gear as the Dolly Varden, but smaller hooks are better. Grayling will also often hit dry flies. Typically, chum salmon are caught on large green or orange spoons and spinners.
Getting There
The river is normally floated, and accessed by air charter from Kotzebue or Bettles, where there are air taxi operators that have planes that can land on large gravel bars or lakes in the upper river. Typical floats range from 5-12 days. Guiding and outfitting operations based out of Anchorage or Bettles can arrange a custom trip on the Noatak River. There are no guides or outfitters in the village of Noatak. Be sure to contact the Nation Park Service in Kotzebue before planning a trip inside the Preserve at http://www.nps.gov/noat/index.htm.
Species
Dates
Ends: July 212
Regulations
Before you go fishing please check the regulations.