What Makes Salmon Fishing on the Togiak River So Much Fun?

Salmon fishing on Alaska’s Togiak River is terrific fun for several different reasons. Here are a few of them.

•    The area is remarkably beautiful and more remote than many popular salmon fishing rivers. You will be surrounded by the region’s incredible landscapes – rugged mountains and scenic river valleys teeming with Alaskan wildlife. The Togiak River is packed with fish because it’s carefully managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and there’s very little fishing pressure in the region. There’s only one permanent fishing lodge on the river, so signs of humanity will be few and far between. Not only that, but you won’t have much competition for big trophy fish like the King Salmon. Although it’s possible you’ll see a few locals or someone who’s on a fishing day trip, it’s fairly common to not see anyone else while you are fishing on the Togiak.

•    All five of the native Alaskan salmon species make spawning runs in the Togiak. The mouth of the Togiak empties into Alaska’s renowned Bristol Bay (the easternmost arm of the Bering Sea), and the clear waters of the river itself provide outstanding spawning grounds for all five of the Pacific salmon species that are native to Alaska. Whether you’re after Sockeye, Silver (Coho), King (Chinook), Chum or Pink (Humpy) Salmon, you’ll find them in the Togiak.

•    The fishing’s fine. The salmon fishing on the Togiak has been described as “incomparable.” The Chinook start running in the middle of June, and the run continues until the end of July. You can catch some nice trophies, because some of the Chinook weigh up to 50 pounds. The Coho pick up where the Chinook leave off, beginning their spawning runs in early August. Coho run the Togiak until at least September 20th, which makes the season fairly lengthy. Some of Alaska’s largest freshwater Coho Salmon have been caught on the Togiak, and they’re feisty and full of fight.

•    You can take a break from salmon. We all know salmon fishing’s exciting, and it’s the main reason most anglers visit Alaska. Sometimes, though, we just need a break. The Togiak River and its tributaries also host some of the finest Arctic Char, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing you’ll find anywhere.

•    The fish are in superb condition, and they’re ready to provide some fine eating. This pretty much sums it up. Get ready for some terrific fun!