Yukon Drainage Management Area
Fishing Opportunities

Nowitna River Pike


Description

The Nowitna River flows north through the Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge into the Yukon River about 40 river miles The lower Nowitna River on a beautiful, sunny day.upstream of the Village of Ruby and 200 miles downstream of the Dalton Highway Bridge.  The river supports a large population of northern pike that provides for excellent sport angling, including catches of some trophy sized fish.  There are also sheefish available in the lower river, especially in the spring and fall.  The river is a popular float plane destination, as there are numerous large sloughs where planes can land. 

Tackle

Try large silver or gold spoons with bright colors or rubber fish to draw northern pike out of the dark water.   Because northern pike also eat mice and young waterfowl, surface lures including mouse and frog patterns will yield exciting strikes.  Weedless lures and large flashy dry and wet flies (mouse patterns, bunny flies, streamers) will draw out northern pike lying in the shallows and this gear may be required later in the season as the vegetation grows.  As always when fishing for northern pike, steel leaders are a must.

Getting There

Traveling to the Nowitna is quite an expedition but many find the trip worth the effort.  The Nowitna River is The Nowitna River often provides catches of trophy sized pike.accessed by float plane or by motorized boat from the Yukon River.  The boat launch and parking area is located just across the Dalton Highway Bridge, at milepost 56 of the Dalton Highway, 140 miles from Fairbanks.  The mouth of the Nowitna River is about 200 river miles downstream.  Both the Yukon and lower 40 miles of the Nowitna can be run by prop boats, if operated with caution.  The Nowitna River is within the Wildlife Refuge and camping is allowed without permit but camping at previously used sites is recommended.  The river can also be accessed by float plane charter from Fairbanks, and some guides do operate on the river.  More information is available from USFWS at the Visiting the Nowitna Wildlife Refuge webpage.

Dates

Begin: May 135
Ends: September 258

Regulations

Before you go fishing please check the regulations.