Alaska Dolly Varden Fishing Spots
Dolly Varden are a delicate fish that are usually referred to as trout, but are actually in the char family. They typically spend some of their life in the ocean, although there are land-locked varieties. Here are some of the places you can make your catch:
Show Map
Dolly Varden Fishing Spots
This spot in Sterling — at milepost 82.3 at the Isaak Walton Campground — is where the Moose River meets the Kenai River, and the two rivers’ differing paces are drastic. The Moose River is very slow and wide, with almost no current — so much so that it feels more like a lake. The Kenai River, on the other hand, flows fairly swiftly in comparison, and the confluence can play strange tricks on your tackle.
Stop at Long Lake, at mile 45.2, to see a popular spot for sockeye salmon to spawn. Every year, 18,000 sockeye salmon swim up the Chitina and Copper Rivers to spawn in Long Lake. This is a very unique run, salmon begin entering the lake as late as September and spawn until April.
This unique fishery, about 25 miles north of Anchorage, is comprised of a small, artificial eddy of water that comes down from a power plant and connects to the main stem, Knik River. The glacial-fed water looks murky and blue-gray, and there’s very little current. While you won’t find much solitude here, you can usually find a spot to set up a lawn chair for some lazy fishing. There’s abundant parking, too, as well as restrooms.
80-site RV Park (no hook-ups) and campground, with water, shared flush toilets (a luxury in Alaska camping!), and picnic tables and fire pits at each campsite. Very popular fishing spot for rainbow trout, red (sockeye), and silver (coho) salmon. Also a very active area for bears — sometimes there are restrictions on tent camping and soft-sided trailers due to bear activity in the area.
This fish-filled creek rushes out from Far North Bicentennial Park and through the center of town. Cast for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, or silver salmon-all within walking distance of your car. Throw on a pair of hip-waders and head up the creek or angle from the shoreline trail. Directions: Park at one of the lots on Campbell Airstrip Rd. to access the creek from Far North Bicentennial Park, or head west on 76th off of Old Seward to King… ...more
Sunshine Creek flows into the Susitna River. There is an access road off of the Parks Highway. Most popular for fishing for silvers late August through September.
This spot, just north of Sterling, is primarily a boat launch, but it also offers excellent sockeye fishing. It’s located at the end of Bing’s Landing Road: There’s a parking lot, but when the fishing is hot, you can expect to park alongside the road, up to half a mile away from the boat launch site. (Another reason you might park on the road: The lot near the boat launch has a fee.)
This confluence is one of the most popular fisheries in South Central Alaska. Located about 60 miles north of Anchorage on the Parks Highway, it offers excellent fishing for four of the major salmon species: kings, silvers, chums and pinks. It also features big rainbows (up to 30 inches) and Dolly Varden, as well as Arctic Grayling. You’ll also find, in small numbers, burbot and whitefish.
Fish for Arctic Grayling and Dolly Varden.
Wading access and boat launch. Gravel parking area and boat launch are both available for a fee. Check website for current rates. This is a smaller parking area than some nearby access points for the Kenai River. Depending on the season can fish for rainbow trout, dolly varden, salmon (King, Sockeye, Coho). Check the ADF&G website for regulations.
Access point to fish the Kenai River between the Russian River and Skilak Lake. Species found here include trout, dolly varden, and salmon (kings, sockeye, and silvers — depending on time of year). There is a gravel parking area and a boat launch point. Check with Alaska Department of Fish and Game for regulations and limits.
Fish for rainbow trout at this small lake accessible via a 1⁄4 mile trail off of the McCarthy Road.
One of the most popular areas in the state for dipnetters to fish the Kenai River in the month of July. There’s a large paved parking area, and camping is allowed July 10 — 31 during the sockeye salmon run. Restrooms available.
Access point to fish the Russian River near the confluence of the Kenai and Russian Rivers in Cooper Landing. It also provides parking for anglers using the Russian River Ferry which is right next door. Fishing opportunities for red (sockeye) and silver (coho) salmon, as well as dolly varden and rainbow trout.
Popular location to fish the Kenai River from a raised platform along the water and to launch boats. Large parking area and boat launch are both available for a fee. Check website for current rates. Vault toilets. Depending on the season can fish for rainbow trout, dolly varden, salmon (King, Sockeye, Coho). Check the ADF&G website for regulations.
Located down Beaver Loop Road, just outside of Kenai, Cunningham Park is a great, easy-access location for sockeye and silver salmon. The shoreline here is a mix of gravel and mud, with the mud being more prevalent below the tidal zone. That said, this spot is very tidal dependent, so you’ll have to continually adjust your bait setup as the water rises or falls.
There are rainbow trout and dolly varden in Eklutna Lake. Check with Alaska Department of Fish and Game for regulations.
Great lake fishing near Seward for Dolly Varden. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, fishing is best mid-May through early June and again in August and September. This lake is also a popular ice fishing spot during the winter months.
This area opens to dip netting for sockeye salmon only if escapement of salmon is beyond a certain limit. Visit the ADF&G website for more information.
At milepost 75 of the Seward Highway, you’ll see a large pullout with a road you can follow even further to access Ingram Creek. Fishing for Kings is not allowed, but other salmon, trout, and dolly varden when in season. Check the ADF&G website for limits and guidelines.
Deshka Landing is a boat launch on the Susitna River that provides access to the Susitna, Yentna, and Deshka Rivers. The landing is open year-round (winter snowmobile use) and is managed by the Deshka Outdoor Association, LLC.
Popular for sockeye in early August, and silvers from Mid-August with late runs through October. From the parking area at the Jim Creek Campground, it is about a 1.5 mile trail to the river. This area is extremely popular for locals to explore on ATVs and dirt bikes.
This spot is particularly good for anyone who’s mobility impaired, since you access the river by a flat, metal boardwalk — and the actual fishing area is also from the boardwalk. This makes Moose Meadows one of a very few places where anglers can fish for sockeye without having to be in the water — you can do excellent even from a wheel chair.
Upper Summit Lake is one of the most beautiful views along the Seward highway. Summit Lake Lodge is at one end, open seasonally May through September. Behind the lake is Tenderfoot Creek Campground. Fishing available for Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout.
Running through the heart of Girdwood, Glacier Creek is a popular destination. You can fish, packraft, or simply stop and admire the view on your walk through Girdwood. You can also take the Girdwood portion of the Iditarod National Historical Trail alongside the creek. Most of the fish you’ll find in Glacier Creek are Pink, Coho, and King Salmon. You might also find some Steelhead Trout and Dolly Varden. ...more
Stretch your legs at this picturesque stream and perhaps drop in a line. At Daves Creek you’ll find good fishing for dolly varden and rainbow trout. Salmon can be seen spawning here in mid-July through September.
This is a weekend only salmon fishery that is very popular with locals. The creek is more of a slough, with thick-glacial silt mud.
Resurrection Creek right in downtown Hope offers some of the best pink salmon fishing in the region during the late summer run. Known as a great spot for kids to hook their first salmon.
There’s a privately run campground here and access to fishing on Willow Creek. There’s also a fishing charter operator offering guided trips on the creek.
Kasilof River personal use salmon fishery. Permit and fishing license required. Dipnetting available to Alaska residents. Confirm season with ADF&G.
The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (aka The Fishing Hole) is a popular park with both locals and visitors. The lagoon is stocked with fry that grow up to provide sport fishing. The fishing hole has a handicapped accessible platform and ramp. King salmon return mid-May to early July followed by an early run of silvers mid-July to early August and a late run early August to mid-September.
Ever gone ice fishing? Caribou lake is a great place to enjoy this cold and unique experience. You can spend a quiet day to yourself, fishing for Dolly Varden and Kokanee. Or if you’re feeling more competitive, you can participate in the Snomad’s (Homer’s snow machine club) annual ice fishing contest. (Either way, dress in warm layers and be prepared to sit or stand in the cold!)
King salmon enter Deep Creek during late May and early June and continue to spawn into early July. Watch for their dark red bodies in the riffles and deeper holes. A very limited fishing season is provided during the early summer for kings and steelheads.
This tributary of the Kenai River flows alongside the Sterling Highway, just north of Cooper Landing (from milepost 40 – 45). There are plenty of designated pull-offs along the highway — like Quartz Creek Road, which leads to Kenai Lake, as well as the popular access point at the Quartz Creek Bridge.
King salmon enter during late-May and early-June and there are always some fish spawning in areas near the highway during early-July. Wear polarized glasses if you have them and watch for dark red kings in the riffles and deeper holes. A very limited fishing season is available on these streams during the early summer for both salmon and steelhead.
This is one of the few spots along the road system where you might catch halibut from the shore. Check out the beach, which surrounds the Land’s End Hotel, on the Homer Spit. Here, you’ll find a small parking lot, and the water’s only about 100 feet away.
SE on N Eagle River, SE on Eagle
Milepost 17.7, Seward HighwayKenai Lake offered a flat treeless path to travel in winter. This trail was one of two overland routes to Sunrise and Hope. (The other overland route was through Portage Pass.) Miners traveled by dogsled from Seward to Snow River and on to Kenai Lake. At the other end of the 17 mile lake, travelers would follow Quartz Creek north through Turnagain Pass along Canyon Creek to the gold rush towns of Sunrise and Hope. ...more
This river flows past a primitive campsite (first-come basis, free) and empties into the bay. Only three miles long, the river is fed by Lake Rose Tead, which is a prime spawning area for sockeye salmon. The river also has runs of pink, chum, and silver salmon, as well as Dolly Varden. Fly fishermen love the challenge of fishing in the tidally-influenced lower stretch of the river; but spinner or fly caster, you’ll find good game in this… ...more
When silver salmon are running up Montana Creek by the thousands, fishermen are running up the Parks Highway by the hundreds to go “combat fishing.” They stand elbow to elbow along the creek, casting their lines and catching everything from fish to coat sleeves. Up and down the creek, you can hear people holler “Fish on!”
This quiet little pullout is next to a small babbling brook filled with Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling. During winter, the thick cover of willow along the river is an important concentration and feeding area for willow ptarmigan.
This is a great spot to fish for Dolly Varden beginning in August.
Thousands of pink salmon converge on Indian Creek each July and August, just about filling this shallow, easy-flowing stream south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm from bank-to-bank. This amazing natural spectacle occurs in one of the easiest places to view spawning salmon in the region: No steep banks, crystal clear water and fish so close they could almost be touched.