Goodnews River
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Flowing from the waters of Goodnews Lake in the Ahklun Mountains this beautiful river flows southwest for 55 miles out to the Kuskokwim Bay and the village of Goodnews.
We fly from Dillingham to the outlet shore of the Goodnews Lake. Where we fish for lake trout and grayling. The lake and upper river are surrounded by rolling hills and dry tundra ridge lines that are tempting to hike making for a great first night camp! As we start to float downstream, the water is shallow and crystal clear, making for great wade fishing. About 2.5 miles down we come to Awayak Creek and the rainbows love this spot! We like to travel just 6-8 miles a day up high in the wilderness boundary. Next is Nimgun Creek, and the water starts to flow faster here. Now we enter a 7 mile canyon, we keep moving along through this scenic area, then another 7 mile stretch where kings like to congregate. It's moderately moving water, but no whitewater. Just before Canyon Creek it becomes a floodplain and we enter willow and cottonwood covered islands and braids, there are numerous gravel bars that make great camping. There are about 25 miles of this braided section with incredible fishing. The wilderness area ends at Tigyukauivet Mountain. A while after we meet up with the middle and South forks and the pace slows way down. This area becomes tidally influenced and we kindly accept a boat shuttle to get us back to the village of Goodnews where we catch a flight back to the fishing community of Dillingham, and then onto Anchorage and home.
This river supports a healthy population of (and good sized!) rainbows, dolly varden, grayling, and salmon. The leopard rainbows are quite famous from here, with their incredible dark spots and bright colors. An interesting note is that biologists have observed that these leopard bows in this area will travel between, up, and down the Goodnews, Kanektok and the Togiak Rivers.
2025 Scheduled Trips:
8 Days: $8000
June 28-July 5
June 30-July 7
July 25-August 1
July 30-August 6
Alternate June or July dates on request
Meeting Place and Time:
Dillingham, Alaska
5:00 Meet and Greet the evening before the start date of your trip at the Bristol Inn, Dillingham, Alaska
8:00 am on the start date We will pick you up from the Inn and will fly into Goodnews Lake.
Final Day:
Dillingham, Alaska
We will fly from either directly from the river or from the village of Goodnews to Dillingham. (Tide Dependent)
Return gear in Dillingham, farewell to guides and guests.
Guests may continue to fly home that evening or stay in Dillingham for the night.
Includes:
2:1 Guest to Guide/Raft Ratio
3 gourmet meals a day, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages while out in the field
Single or shared tent, ultra thick thermarest sleeping mattresses
Weather proof group dining tent with tables and chairs
Unlimited filtered water system, hot showers, hand washing station
Emergency communication, equipment, and first aid supplies, and wilderness medically trained staff.
Bush flights from Dillingham to Goodnews Lake
Bush flight from Village of Goodnews to Dillingham,
Boat Shuttle if required from the river to the Village of Goodnews
Permits and user fees required by Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Not Included:
Flights to Dillingham, Alaska
Bristol Inn or other lodging
Personal equipment and fishing tackle rentals and purchases
Gratuities