ANIAK RIVER

TRIP DETAILS:

The Aniak has developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the best rivers in Alaska to “mouse” for rainbows. This is particularly true in the early season, after spring run-off has subsided, and before the egg and flesh feast that accompanies the arrival of spawning salmon later in the summer. After a long winter under the ice and snow, big ‘bows are on the hunt for food, and they will feed voraciously on whatever they can find. Especially if it’s big and meaty.

And it is more than just rainbows. The Aniak is a great wilderness float. Plentiful logjams and wood in the upper and middle stretches of the river keep all but the most adventurous boaters off the river, and this ensures unspoiled fishing and solitude. Moose and bears, both black and brown, are not uncommon sights along the river, along with beaver, river otter and a variety of birds.

It is also one of the most productive tributaries of the Kuskokwim River, and boasts outstanding runs of chinook, chum, sockeye and coho salmon. Flowing for approximately 120 miles from Aniak Lake to its confluence with the Kuskokwim River, the Aniak River holds some of the best salmon spawning habitat in the entire Kuskokwim River drainage. After being dropped off by floatplane on Aniak Lake, we’ll float approximately 100 miles of the river, and then rendezvous with a water taxi for a ride into the village of Aniak and a return flight.

For the fly rod angler, the Aniak is a near perfect river. In the upper river, the water is crystal clear, and the character of the river alternates between slow, deep pools and classic riffles and runs. Opportunities abound to sight-fish for large grayling, salmon, and char. 

The middle section of the river is the Aniak at its finest. While navigating the many sweepers and logjams that characterize this portion of the Aniak, the river’s resident rainbow trout will make their appearance. These rainbows average 18”-22” and fight with reckless, acrobatic abandon when hooked. The increasing numbers of spawning salmon in the middle section of the river attract not only the Aniak’s rainbows, but also char and grayling. 

Below the confluence with Kipchuk and Salmon Rivers the Aniak increases in size, but the fishing remains excellent. Broad flats attract spawning salmon, and the rainbows and char line up behind them to feast on washed out eggs. Depending on the timing of your float, its possible to catch six or seven species of fish in the same day.

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A Note On Chinook Salmon: Chinook populations have been in distress throughout much of their range in Alaska, and the Kuskokwim system has suffered from low returns as well. For the 2025 season, ADFG closed all Kuskokwim tributaries to all fishing for chinook salmon, including catch and release, and this closure included the Aniak River. It is possible that a similar closure could be put in place for the 2026 season. Remote Waters is committed to protecting those fish that do succeed in making it to their spawning grounds, and we will closely follow whatever rules are in place to protect them. Witnessing these giants finning in the crystal clear waters of the upper Aniak River is an incredible sight, one that we hope to see long into the future.