Fly In Fishing Trips To
Big River Lake & Wolverine Creek
For those seeking an exceptional one-day fly-out fishing and bear viewing experience from the Kenai Peninsula, Big River Lake / Wolverine Creek is a premier destination. Located approximately 20 minutes by floatplane from the Kenai area, this location offers a seamless transition into Alaska’s pristine wilderness.
Our daily half-day trips to Big River Lake commence in early June and extend into late August and early September, aligning with the peak salmon runs and optimal bear activity. These excursions provide opportunities to fish for sockeye and silver salmon while observing brown and black bears in their natural habitat. This trip also includes flying over a glacier on the return.
This combination of flightseeing, abundant wildlife, and world-class fishing makes Big River Lake and Wolverine Creek standout choices for an unforgettable Alaska fishing adventure.
Big River Lake Silver Salmon Fishing
In late July and August, fly-out fishing at Big River Lake transitions from targeting sockeye salmon to the arrival of silver salmon (coho). Unlike earlier in the season when fishing is concentrated around Redoubt Bay and Wolverine Creek, silver salmon fishing extends to various shallow bays and flats surrounding the lake. These areas attract large schools of aggressive coho, providing anglers with multiple catch opportunities. Effective techniques include using salmon eggs suspended from a bobber, bottom fishing, spinners, and various flies.
Big River Lake Sockeye and Silver Salmon Limits
The daily bag limit for both sockeye and silver salmon in this area is three fish (total) per person. Once an angler retains their limit, they must cease fishing for the day. This offers an excellent opportunity to explore the lake and look for bears.
Big River Lake / Wolverine Creek Trip Information
• This is one of the most popular fly out trips in all of southcentral Alaska so do not expect to be all alone in the Alaska Wilderness. The number of visitors speaks to the spectacular fishing, scenery, and bear viewing and there is a very good reason for it to be so popular.
• We offer a shore lunch option during this trip upon request. Of course fresh sockeye will be on the menu and this option is limited depending on weather and the size of the group. Please feel free to ask if you are interested and we will always do our best to make it happen!
• Weather permitting, we do fly over the majestic Double Glacier on the return flight of this trip and this definitely adds another layer to an already amazing experience.
More Information About Fly In Fishing
After several years of falling short of minimum escapement objectives, the 2025 late run of Kenai River king salmon narrowly met the recovery threshold of 14,250 large kings (greater than 34 inches). By the final day of counting, the cumulative sonar estimate stood at 15,015 fish. This benchmark was established under the Kenai River Late …
In a year that saw record sockeye returns to the Kenai River, the Kasilof River delivered an equally impressive showing. By August 9, a total of 1,197,471 sockeye had passed the sonar at river mile 8, surpassing the previous record of 971,604 set in 2022. Peak run timing occurred between June 30 and July 26, …
The 2025 silver salmon run on the Kenai River has been noticeably stronger than in 2024. Last year, anglers faced bait closures and reduced limits, but this season brought a robust return that provided excellent fishing opportunities. Key highlights: Bait opened Aug. 16, right as fishing pressure shifted from sockeye to silvers, with fresh coho …
The summer of 2025 produced the largest return of sockeye salmon to the Kenai River since modern sonar counting began in 1987. By August 19, a staggering 4,252,497 sockeye had passed the Alaska Department of Fish & Game sonar station at river mile 19. The surge began on July 16 with a daily count of …
Kenai River Sockeye Fishing: 468,000 fish in three days! With the 2024 fishing season officially behind us, it’s finally time to look back and recap another blockbuster season for us at Alaska Fishing. Cindy and I are profoundly grateful for all the amazing customers, both new and old, and also for our incredible help as …
Summary of actions at the 2024 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries Meeting as it pertains to the sportfishing angler visiting the Kenai Peninsula for the next three seasons. The most significant action taken at Upper Cook Inlet Finfish Meeting: Feb 23-March 5, 2024 is in response to the stock of concern status for Kenai …