Naknek and King Salmon, Alaska Information

Most anyone vaguely familiar with Alaska can identify the Alaska Peninsula as the thin finger extending out from the main land into the Bering Sea. It extends about 500 miles from Bristol Bay out into the Pacific Ocean and includes the Aleutian Islands.

Many fishing and hunting opportunities exist, whether they are fresh or salt water or in the several national preserves included within. Sockeye salmon, brown bear, moose, caribou and wolves are plentiful.

Those planning outdoor expeditions on the Alaska Peninsula should be prepared for cool temperatures, windy and cloudy days with frequent precipitation. Summer temperatures can range from 32° F to 80°F. The Bristol Bay area receives less than 20 inches of precipitation each, but the coastal areas receiving more than 150. The rainy season typically extends from July through October.

The Bristol Bay area, when including the Katmai National Park and Reserve, is a land bursting with outdoor opportunities. The two major cities and starting points for outdoor expeditions are King Salmon and Naknek. Hunting opportunities exist, but salmon is king in this area. The Bristol Bay red or sockeye salmon fishery is the largest in the world, King Salmon is a major commercial shipping point and the area has the title of "Sockeye Salmon Capital of the World."

King Salmon is also the starting point for those wishing to enter the Katmai National Park and Preserve, home to the Brooks Camp and the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.  Over 30,000 people pass through King Salmon to hunt or fish for all five species of salmon and rainbow trout annually.

The Katmai Reserve is known for its world-renown sport-fishing opportunities. Rainbow trout exist in lakes and streams, as well as Grayling and Dolly Varden. Excellent Sockeye and Coho salmon fishing exists in their seasonal runs throughout the park as well.

While Katmai is also well known for its bear viewing opportunities, brown bear hunting is allowed only in the preserve area of Katmai. The hunting is allowed with open seasons in the fall of odd-numbered years and the spring of even-numbered years. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has the most up-to-date hunting regulations and information.

King Salmon and Naknek Town information

King Salmon Visitors Center
PO Box 298, King Salmon, AK
(907) 246-4250

Population: 442 (2000 census)
Location: On the north bank of the Naknek River on the Alaska Peninsula (15 miles upriver from Naknek)
Annual Precipitation: 19.41 in.
July Averages: Temperature - 64?F; precipitation - 2.15 in.

Bristol Bay Borough
P.O. Box 189
Naknek, AK 99633
Phone 907-246-4224

Population: 552 (2008 Estimated Population)
Location: Naknek is located on the north bank of the Naknek River, at the northeastern end of Bristol Bay. It is 297 miles southwest of Anchorage.
Annual Precipitation: 20 inches, including 45 inches of snowfall.
Temperatures: Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 63; average winter temperatures range from 29 to 44.

Hunting Guides:

Arctic North Guides
Their specialty lies in hunting trips between April 15 and November 15 in the Brooks Range of Katmai for grizzly bear, caribou, Dall sheep and wolf, as well as near King Salmon for brown bear, moose and waterfowl.

King Salmon Lodges:

Alagnak Lodge
PO Box 351, King Salmon, AK 99613 (summer)
PO Box 144 Warrenton, VA 20188 (winter)
(800) 877-9903

King Ko Inn
PO Box 11830, Anchorage, AK 99511
(907) 246-3377 / (800) 234-3474

Rainbow Bend Lodges
PO Box 185, King Salmon, AK
(907) 246-1500 / (888) 575-4249

Camping:

Alagnak Wild River
(907) 246-4250

Restaurants & Bars:

Eddie's Fireplace Inn
1 Main St., King Salmon, AK
(907) 246-3435

King Salmon Cafe
King Salmon Mall, King Salmon, AK
(907) 246-2233

Airport:

King Salmon Airport
Mile 1 Alaska Peninsula Hwy., King Salmon, AK
(907) 246-3325

Hospital (Dillingham):

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation
6000 Kanakanak Rd., Dillingham, AK
(970) 842-5201