Katmai National Park & Preserve guide · 1 min read
Sockeye Salmon and World-Class Brooks Fishing
Sockeye salmon, also called red salmon, make their run through Katmai's waters and draw anglers and brown bears to the same stretch of river.
Coho, known as silver salmon, form strong seasonal runs in certain areas too. Brooks River also offers fishing for rainbow trout, arctic char, and salmon.
Sport fishing has deep roots here. Many early facilities, Brooks Camp among them, were built with anglers in mind, and bear viewing became a major draw only later. Anglers can also catch dolly varden, arctic grayling, and lake trout, which is a char, and trophy rainbow trout turn up in many lakes and streams.
Brooks River is open to fly fishing only, and every fish caught there must be released. Anglers need an Alaska state fishing license and must not fish within 50 feet of a bear. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets state rules by management area, and those rules protect fish that can be hurt by overfishing.
Brooks Falls is a common place to watch the run. Sockeye reach the falls ahead of other streams, and bears gather at the viewing platform while the fish spawn. In July, observers have counted from 43 to 70 different bears there.
Visitors with their own gear and licenses can fish independently, and many commercial operators offer guided sport fishing. Brooks Lodge and Katmailand both run guided trips. Katmailand is the only National Park Service concessioner for overnight stays and meals at Brooks Lodge, and it rents canoes and kayaks at Brooks Camp.
