KANEKTOK RIVER FLOAT TRIP

THE FISHING

Flowing 95 miles from Kagati and Pegati Lakes to the Village of Quinhagak on the Bering Sea coastline, the Kanektok River has a well-earned reputation as one of the best rivers in the state for the aggressive and hard fighting Alaskan Leopard Rainbow Trout. Many anglers on the Kanektok float will choose to take advantage of the Leopard Rainbows natural aggression and will fish a variety of topwater mouse patterns during the majority of their trip. With the Char/Dollys aggressively eating topwater patterns as well, on the Kanektok, the explosive surface eats will often continue all day long.

July offers the most variety of species being available, with King, Chum, Sockeye, and Pink Salmon in river with the latter available during even years. August and September are prime times for Silver or Coho salmon fishing, combine all the different Pacific salmon with the heavily spotted Leopard Rainbow trout, Arctic Grayling, Arctic Char, Lake Trout, and sea-run Dolly Varden, and you have nine fish species in one river. In the Fall, the Kanektok’s voracious rainbows have had a whole summer of feeding to fatten up and fill out, many of which have easily grown to double the size they were in spring. 

The Kanektok is one of Alaska’s most productive and diverse fisheries. It starts out quite intimate and small, where it fishes well for the species that frequent this section of the river. The middle section of the float then becomes braided, offering near perfect wading water for Rainbows. When you reach the lower thirty or so miles of the Kanektok River, anglers will find themselves in prime salmon water.

Similar to the Goodnews and Togiak Rivers, the Kanektok River possesses spectacular runs of sea run Dolly Varden/Arctic Char as well as numerous chunky Arctic Grayling in the 18″-22″ range.  Also renowned for incredible runs of Coho (Silver) Salmon, as well as good availability of Kings and non-stop Sockeye Salmon action, the Kanektok River allows anglers to target big Leopard Rainbows while also enjoying an excellent array of other species. In the Fall, the Kanektok’s voracious rainbows have had a whole summer of feeding to fatten up and fill out, many of which have easily grown to double the size they were in spring. 

Given the length of the float, the fantastic scenery and prolific wildlife, the multitude of channels and braids, as well as the abundance of excellent campsites, an angler could do the Kanektok float several times and no two trips down this river would be the same 

September is Prime Time for the big, heavily spotted Leopard Rainbows. 

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

The rafts used for the Kanektok River float, are sturdy 14- or 16-foot custom built rafts, each equipped with custom steel frames, and comfortable front and rear seating for anglers.

The Kanektok River falls under the US Fish and Wildlife Service regulations and restrictions. Permits to float the Kanektok are tightly regulated and no more than four rafts and guides are allowed to float at any one time. These regulations prohibit the use of an additional support raft and guide.

GETTING THERE

Guests fly into Anchorage International Airport, then onwards to the town of Bethel, via Alaska Airlines. This trip does require an overnight in Bethel the day before your float trip starts. Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures will pick you up at the Bethel Airport and take you to your hotel or B&B, as well as pick you up for your flight to the river to join the guides, who will have pre-ceded you to Pagati Lake by one or two days.

Slipstream is a full-service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2025

$7,495 USD

Transfer days in and out from Bethel vary throughout the season and will depend on which dates  you are booked for.