The opportunities to hook one or more of several species of trout or Pacific salmon in the waters of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska are plentiful, but it’s important you understand park fishing regulations, have the proper license and permit(s), and know how to stay safe fishing within bear country. The same goes for sport hunting and trapping, which is only permitted in Katmai National Preserve and not Katmai National Park. Planning and preparation are necessary for fishing and/or hunting.
Fishing
A bear amongst the fishermen at Brooks River, Katmai National Park / Rebecca Latson
Most of the tourist facilities originally constructed at Katmai were built with fishing in mind. Anglers from all over the world visit this national park and preserve for the opportunity to catch one or more of several trout species and Pacific salmon species. At the same time, now, more than ever, these fish species are vulnerable to overfishing. With that in mind, the park and Alaska Department of Fish & Game manage and regulate sport fishing, requiring the proper license and permits for fishing Katmai and Alaska’s waters.
The importance of knowing how to fish in waters frequented by Alaska’s brown bears, the population of which increases during the annual salmon runs at Katmai, is paramount to your safety and enjoyment of the sport.
According to Katmai staff:
A splashing fish sounds like food to a bear. Bears will often move in your direction to investigate a fish on a line. Always be prepared to cut or break your line, so that you can free the fish and move out of the water until the bear passes. Never let a bear acquire a fish from you.
It is easy to become so engaged in fishing, that you forget to be alert for bears. They are surprisingly quiet and difficult to see in dense grass or tall brush, so always have someone spot bears for you.
At minimum, keep 50 yards between yourself and all bears. All fishing must cease when a bear is within 50 yards of you. No lures or flies can remain in the water. Stop fishing and move away well before a bear approaches within 50 yards. If bear is close and you hook a fish, you must lose your tackle to break your line or find yourself in a situation with a bear pursuing your fish.
While you may travel on your own to Katmai, bringing your own fishing equipment and licenses, you may also choose to use a commercial operator offering guided sport fishing within the park.
One of the more popular spots for fishing within Katmai is American Creek, a 40-mile-long (64 km) river between Hamersley Lake and Coville Lake. Six companies are exclusively authorized by concessions contract to provide jet-boat accessed fishing on American Creek:
Alaska's Enchanted Lake Lodge
Branch River Air Service
Crystal Creek Lodge
Katmailand's Kulik Lodge and Brooks Lodge
No See Um Lodge
Royal Wolf Lodge
Sport Hunting
According to park staff:
Sport hunting and trapping are permitted in Katmai National Preserve, but not in Katmai National Park. To hunt and trap in the preserve, you must have all required licenses and permits and follow all other state regulations. The National Park Service and the State of Alaska cooperatively manage the wildlife resources of the Preserve. An Alaska State hunting license is required for all hunters age 16 or older. Bag and possession limits vary by species and by area. Always check current hunting regulations. For further information on Alaska hunting and where to get a license, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
The most common species hunted include moose and brown bear. Please keep in mind that many areas within the preserve are private land. Do not enter private land without the landowner's permission. There are many factors applicable to season dates as well as residency requirements for species such as caribou. Regulations specific to Katmai National Preserve can be found under Game Management Unit (GMU)-9.
Hunting and trapping within Katmai National Preserve requires extensive planning. Access in most cases will involve air taxi service via float plane from King Salmon or one of the other surrounding villages. We highly recommend you to contact any of the several permitted commercial operators who provide taxi and hunt transport services throughout the local area. A list of these providers can be found in the directory of commercial visitor services.
We also recommend sharing your camp and hunt plans with the Park office as part of your trip safety plan.
