Kuskokwim Drainage Management Area
Fishing Opportunities

Goodnews River Float


Description

The Goodnews River flows west from Goodnews Lake in the Ahklun Mountains to Kuskokwim Bay at the Village of Goodnews.  It consists of the South, Middle, and North forks, which are largely separate for much of their flow, but join up near their river terminus at Kuskokwim Bay.  These two happy anglers each landed nice rainbow troutThe Goodnews River flows within the boundaries of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and the upper portion is within the Togiak Refuge Wilderness area.  The upper rivers are small and clear, and have 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 Goodnews Lake (North Fork) or Middle Fork Lake to the village of Goodnews (a fly out point), which is about 55 miles, and the float may take up to a week.

Tackle

Fishing with egg patterns is often productive, particularly during salmon spawning.  Silver and flashy streamers work well, and sometimes dry flies are the tackle of choice.  Rainbows are known for hitting suface flies such as mouse patterns. Anglers using spinning gear will have good luck with a variety of spinners, spoons, and jigs, particularly flashy orange and pink ones, and bucktail spinners.

Getting There

These rafters are experiencing some of Southwestern Alaska's rainy weather.There are scheduled air services to both Dillingham and Bethel from Anchorage and Fairbanks.  The Goodnews River is typically accessed by float plane to Goodnews Lake, Middle Fork Lake, or Kukaktlim Lake or one of the forks  in the upper drainage.  There are air taxi and outfitting services available in both Dillingham and Bethel that can provide transportation and rental of rafts and other gear.  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.  The Togiak National Wildlife Refuge Plan Your Visit webpages also have lots of useful information.

Dates

Begin: May 145
Ends: September 258

Regulations

Before you go fishing please check the regulations.