Lake Clark National Park & Preserve guide · 2 min read
Silver Salmon Creek: Bears on the Cook Inlet Coast
Silver Salmon Creek sits midway up the Cook Inlet coast of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, and it is known for brown bear viewing.
In late spring and into midsummer, bears graze in the sedge meadows near the creek. Later in the season they fish for salmon in the creek, and throughout the season they dig for clams on the beach. Moose, wolves, foxes, and marine mammals have also been seen here.
Most visitors reach Silver Salmon Creek by small plane. These planes run on wheels and land on the beach. Many operators choose not to use floats here because salt water is corrosive and the tides in Cook Inlet are extreme enough to make float operations tricky. The flight from Homer, Kenai, or Anchorage takes less than an hour.
The tidal flats are a bit rocky but hold razor, little neck, and butter clams. Shellfish here may carry the algae that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, and the beach is not monitored for it, so gather and eat at your own risk. Clean clams below the tide line and leave the remains in the ocean. Sport anglers can catch coho salmon, humpback salmon, and Dolly Varden as they run up the creek in late summer, and all anglers must follow State of Alaska fishing regulations.
Camping near the sedge meadows or beaches means likely up-close encounters with bears, since the coast has a dense concentration of them. Store food carefully, and consider the electric bear fences that deter curious bears from campsites. Experienced travelers in bear country can also hike day trips from the Silver Salmon Ranger Station south to the Red River or north to the Johnson River.
For a structured trip, several licensed commercial outfitters run day-long and overnight bear viewing and fishing outings to Silver Salmon Creek. Travelers who prefer a knowledgeable guide can book with one of them directly.
