Glacier Bay Remote Island River Fishing

Offered by NatVenture Tours In Hoonah / Icy Strait, Alaska

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About us

This full-day fishing excursion is designed those looking for a unique fishing adventure. We will boat from Gustavus, Alaska to a river on a nearby island where we’ll be dropped off for the day. The island has more brown bears per square mile than almost anywhere else on the planet. On the 45-minute ride to/from the river it is common to view sea otters, sea lions, and even whales.

Insider Info: Upon arriving at the river, most guests say that they don’t even need to catch fish because the pristine surroundings are worth the trip alone. When the day is over, they have tired arms from catching so many fish and hearts filled with awe about the unique place they explored.

*Note: The best fishing in Gustavus' Salmon River is July-September. If booking in May or June, there may not be as many fish available, but the scenery is still incredible!

What we'll do

We’ll be fishing a wild “last frontier” type area with no signs of civilization to be found. As we fish and hike along the river, you’ll be humbled by the mountains that rise up to form the river valley. The area is so remote that we almost never see any other anglers on this river. Brown bears, however, are plentiful and we will be keeping an eye out for them throughout the day.

Depending on the time of year, we’ll fish for Salmon and/or Trout. Both fly rods and spinning rods will be available, as well as lessons for those new to fishing.

*FAQ
- Do I need a fishing license? Yes, if you’re age 16+. A 1 day (24 hr) license can be purchased online for $15.

- What should I bring? Rain gear, water, snack/lunch, and a sense of adventure!

- Do I need to tip my guide? Gratuity is greatly appreciated if you are satisfied with the service of your guide. Although it is customary to tip your guide, it is not required. We are often asked the size of a typical tip. An appropriate guideline is 15% of the cost of the trip. Feel free to alter this as you see fit.

- Can we keep our catch?
We highly encourage catch and release, but ultimately, the decision is up to the angler. We encourage catch and release for a number of reasons. For one, we don't want to attract bears while on the river. Additionally, Pink Salmon do not freeze very well- they are best eaten the day of. If the primary goal of your trip is to keep fish to take home, we suggest saltwater fishing instead of river fishing. Alternatively, you could book both saltwater and freshwater trips to get a taste of both worlds!

*Minimum of 4 people for a trip to go. If less than 4 people sign up for departure, NatVentures will reach out with other tour options that day.

*Maximum of 6 people. If your party is larger, please reach out; we may be able to accommodate with a second boat!

What to expect / what's provided

*Duration: 8 hours

*What's Included:
- Pickup from cruise terminal or lodging (please let us know which ship or which hotel you're coming from)
- Expert local guide
- Boat ride from Gustavus
- Fly rods and spinning rods
- Lessons on either rod for those new to fishing
- Wildlife watching, such as brown bears, sea otters, sea lions, and even whales

*What's Not Included:
- Fishing license

*NOTE: Guests should be able to walk about 3-4 miles on flat but sometimes uneven ground along the river for trips booked in May or June.

Guests should be able to walk about 7-8 miles on flat but sometimes uneven ground along the river for trips booked in July, August or September.

**Trip must have minimum of 4 people to run. Private trips available upon inquiry. Availability and pickup times will be confirmed with your guide upon purchase.

Cancellation Policy

-Cancellation made greater than 90 days before trip date: Full refund.

-Cancellation made within 90 to 31 days of trip date: Cancellation fee is 50% of trip cost.

-Cancellation made within 30 days of trip date: No refund given.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance in case you are forced to make a last minute cancellation.

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