Located in the US, the fly fishing in Alaska offers over fifteen scenic trout rivers spots. The best Alaska fly fishing based on popularity are considered to be Goodnews River, Talarik Creek, Talachulitna River, Copper River, and Russian River. For a detailed fly fishing river description and printable river access map, just select a Alaska fly fishing river or stream below.
Near Togiak Wilderness Reserve on the west coast of Alaska, the Goodnews River is an excellent fly fishing river that runs into the Bering Sea. It is known as a premier salmon and trout fishery. You can expect to find an outstanding run of all five species of Pacific salmon, along with sea run Dolly Varden and Leopard Rainbow trout and grayling.
Southwest of Anchorage at the southwest end of the Cook Inlet, the lesser well-known Copper River provides drainage from three lakes in the narrow isthmus separating Iliamna Lake from Iliamna Bay. While lesser known, this Copper River is much more famous in the fly fishing community due to its world class rainbow trout.
South of Anchorage and west of Cooper Landing, the Russian River is arguably the most popular fly fishing river in Alaska for sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. The lower section where the Russian River meets the Kenai River is the most crowded section, but there is a fishermans trail heading south from the confluence to Lower Russian Lake.
Northwest of Anchorage in the Susitna Drainage, the Talachulitna River has excellent fly fishing opportunities. It is known for rainbow trout, dolly varden, grayling and five species of salmon.
The 82 mile Kenai River is known for huge runs of King Salmon (aka Chinook). The lower Kenai is from Skilak Lake down to Cook Inlet. Fly fishermen crowd the lower Kenai River during the runs. The upper Kenai is from Kenai Lake down to Skilak Lake. The upper Kenai River is well-known for its large rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
On the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula, the Kasilof River starts from Tustumena Lake and flows down into the confluence with Cook Inlet. The Kasilof River is well known for its run of Chinook Salmon (King Salmon) in May and early June.
In south-central Alaska, the Lake Creek is well known for fly fishing its huge salmon runs. The Lake Creek is perfect for a 55 mile float trip to spend days fly fishing.
In southwest Alaska, the Holitna River is popular for fly fishing all of the five native salmon species. The Holitna Creek is perfect for a 55 mile float trip to spend days fly fishing.
In southwest Alaska, the Aniak River is popular for fly fishing all of the five native salmon species. The Aniak Creek is perfect for a 100 mile float trip to spend days fly fishing.
Southwest of Anchorage near King Salmon, the Naknek River is popular with fly fishermen for huge Naknek rainbow trout, king salmon and sockeye salmon. The Naknek River runs 35 miles from Naknek Lake down to the Bering Sea. The main section is the upper 15 miles.
On Kodiak Island, the fly fishing on the Karluk River is popular for its five species of Pacific salmon. The Karluk River runs 25 miles from Karluk Lake down to the Pacific.
Southwest of Anchorage, the fly fishing on the Kanektok River is known for its five species of Pacific salmon and for rainbow trout. The Kanektok River runs 100 miles from the headwaters at Pegati Lake down to the Bering Sea. The lower 50 miles of river are best accessed via motor boats.