The Nushagak River is a river in southwest Alaska that begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest about 280 miles into Nushagak Bay, an inlet of Bristol Bay. The Nushagak is one of
Alaska’s most pristine rivers. It’s one of the few rivers left in Alaska that is unmarked by humans. The only things you’ll see along the banks of the Nushagak are a
few local cabins and a lot more moose.
The Nushagak has several major tributaries that serve as spawning and rearing areas for some of Alaska’s largest salmon runs. The Mulchatna River is a major tributary that dumps
into the Nushagak about 12 miles down river from Koliganek. The Mulchatna is famous for the Mulchatna caribou herd that migrates through the area. It is also known for its fabulous salmon
and trout fishing.
The Nuyakuk River is another tributary of the Nushagak that dumps in about 6 miles up river from Koliganek. The Nuyakuk is as pristine as rivers get. The water is crystal clear and is
serves as the major spawning area for pink salmon on even numbered years. It drains out of Nuyakuk Lake in the Wood-Tikchik State Park. It offers great rainbow, grayling, and salmon fishing
as well.
The King Salmon River drains into the Nushagak about 40 miles up river from Koliganek. It offers some good fishing as well, but is harder to navigate due to low water conditions.
The Nushagak is becoming known world wide for its king salmon runs. It has seen runs of over 200,000 kings in one season. Compared to the Kenai River that averages around 70,000 kings
a year. Furthermore, the Nushagak has good runs of silver salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, and sockeye salmon. Bristol Bay is home to the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. These
large salmon runs help sustain the resident species. Large rainbow trout, arctic grayling, northern pike, whitefish, burbot, arctic char, and dolly varden make their home in the Nushagak
and its tributaries.
The Nushagak River offers visitors the opportunity to experience the finest wilderness adventures Alaska has to offer. The best part about the Nushagak is that you’ll see more wildlife
than people.
