Copper River Lodge
Copper River in SW Alaska
The Copper River is a pristine, 20-mile-long river located near Lake Iliamna in Southwest Alaska and offers some of the most exclusive fly fishing in the state. Situated on native-owned land, only one operating permit exists, which Copper River Lodge shares with just one other lodge. This rare permit allows jet boats to be staged on the upper Copper River, granting access to remote waters fished by only a handful of anglers each season. As a fly-fishing-only river, the Copper provides a quiet, uncrowded, and truly wilderness fly fishing experience in Alaska.
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Copper River Lodge Guides
Copper River Lodge offers highly experienced fly‑fishing guides with deep knowledge of the Copper River and surrounding waters. Fishing daily throughout the summer, they know fish behavior, seasonal patterns, and productive spots, ensuring anglers of all skill levels catch more fish.
With a 2:1 guest‑to‑guide ratio and low weekly guest count, you receive personalized instruction — from casting basics to advanced dry‑fly techniques. Guides also hold exclusive access to native-owned river sections, giving you prime fishing opportunities. Many have global guiding experience, bringing expert skills from Alaska, South America, Russia, and beyond.
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Fly Fishing Only at Copper River Lodge
Copper River Lodge is fly-fishing only because the Copper River’s rainbow trout and Arctic char respond best to dry flies, nymphs, streamers, and precise fly presentations. Clear, cold waters and technical wading make fly rods essential for success.
Why Fly Fishing Works:
Species-specific feeding: Trout and char feed naturally on insects, small fish, and rodents that fly patterns imitate.
Catch-and-release fishery: Fly-only fishing preserves a high-quality, sustainable river fishery.
Wading and sight fishing: Fly rods allow delicate, accurate casts in shallow or technical water, outperforming bait or spinning gear.
This fly-only approach ensures anglers enjoy maximum trophy trout and Arctic char action on the Copper River.
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Rainbow Trout – World-class trophy trout are the primary focus of the fishery, especially prized for dry-fly and streamer action.
Sockeye Salmon (Red) – Abundant in mid to late summer with excellent seasonal fishing.
Coho Salmon (Silver) – Available later in the season, offering strong fights and great sport.
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Unlike rustic tent camps, the lodge features modern private cabins built in 2014 and designed for comfort in a remote environment: *
Four guest cabins, each with a private bathroom, shower, heat, and decks overlooking the river.
Comfortable bedding with a queen and a single bed in each cabin, making them ideal for double occupancy.
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The fishing season at Copper River Lodge typically runs from June through early October.
June: Prime rainbow trout fishing with abundant dry‑fly hatches.
July: Sockeye salmon begin to run while trout fishing remains strong.
August – Early October: Salmon spawn, and trout feed aggressively, making fall streamer fishing very productive.
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2026 Rate:
Season: June through early October.
6-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$10,250.00 per person -
5-weight rod – Excellent for rainbow trout and the best choice in June and early July when trout are your main target.
• 6-weight rod – Very versatile choice for trout and early salmon, especially through most of the season. Many anglers use this as their primary rod.
• 7-weight rod – Great all-around rod for later in the season. Works well for larger trout, streamers, and bigger flies — recommended in August and September.
• 8-weight rod – Ideal setup for salmon (sockeye) especially during their peak runs in July and early August, giving you more backbone for big fish.
• 9-weight rod – Another good option for salmon if you expect heavy winds or larger fish — many gear lists suggest carrying an 8 or 9 wt for salmon in season
Flies are included. Other equipment can be rented.
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Copper River Lodge is intentionally small and intimate — the lodge accommodates a maximum of 6 anglers per week for guided fishing trips.
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The lodge uses 16-foot tunnel hull boats with 40 hp jet units to run the Copper River and access fishing spots along its length. These jet boats are ideal for shallow Alaskan rivers because they can operate in low water without a traditional propeller and get you to wade-friendly stretches efficiently.
Fishing is primarily done by wading, with boats used to transport anglers from one productive spot to the next before you hop out and fish on foot.
Other Boats in the Program
In addition to the jet boats, Copper River Lodge offers several other options depending on conditions and fishing plans:
Floatplane (Cessna 185) — Used for fly-outs to upper stretches of the Copper River and other remote fisheries in the Lake Iliamna/Katmai area when weather permits.
Lake Boat — A larger boat used to cross portions of Lake Iliamna and access tributaries such as the Gibraltar River when conditions are favorable.
Inflatable Rafts — Used occasionally in upper river reaches reached by fly-out, where anglers can be floated back down to the lodge area.
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Fly to Anchorage (ANC): Most guests arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the main hub for remote Alaska lodges. Arrive at least 1 day early to avoid rushed connections.
Charter Flight to Iliamna: On departure day (typically Sunday), take a ~1-hour charter flight from Anchorage to Iliamna, usually with Iliamna Air Taxi (IAT).
Transfer to Floatplane: From Iliamna, a short ground transfer brings you to the floatplane launch.
Floatplane to the Lodge: A De Havilland Beaver flies you ~15 minutes to the Copper River, where guides meet you by boat for a quick transfer to the lodge.
Typical Schedule:
Day 1 (Sunday): Anchorage → Iliamna → floatplane → lodge.
Day 7 (Saturday): Floatplane → Iliamna → Anchorage; plan outbound flights after 6 PM to allow for weather delays.
Travel Tips:
1: Book charters early; flights fill quickly.
2: Arrive at least 1 day before the lodge trip.
3: Expect weather delays; Alaska bush flights are flexible by nature.
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The Package Includes:
• Floatplane flights between Iliamna and the Lodge
• 6-nights lodging at Copper River Lodge
• All meals at the Lodge
• 6-days guided fishing
• Starlink Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• 3 to 4 Fly-outs per week, weather permitting
• Flies, leaders, and tippets
• Fish care is included for sockeyes in July only.
• Taxes for the Lodge package.The Package Does Not Include:
• Airfare to and from Anchorage
• Hotels, meals, and ground transfers in Anchorage
• Roundtrip charter flight between Anchorage and Iliamna
• Alcoholic beverages
• 7-day fishing license, $45 p.p.
• Fly outfit rental, $75 p.p. per week
• Wader rentals, $125 p.p. per week
• Laundry service is not available.
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Global Rescue or other medical/safety evacuation insurance
• Travel insurance
• Hotel rooms or food expenses incurred due to weather delays
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
The Copper River
The Copper River, is a classic fly-fishing-only trout stream in Southwest Alaska, offering easy wading and simple river crossings. This highly productive river features long dry-fly glides, deep winding pools dotted with boulders, fast riffles, and undercut banks that are ideal for fishing mouse patterns. Flowing through a scenic valley lined with cottonwood, spruce, and birch trees, the Copper River provides natural shelter from prevailing north winds, creating excellent conditions for anglers seeking a true Alaska fly fishing experience.
Fly-Out Fishing Included: Copper River Lodge now operates its own floatplane, allowing up to four anglers per day to access remote sections of the home river and additional fisheries throughout the Lake Iliamna and Katmai region. This fly-out fishing program gives anglers the opportunity to experience a wide variety of pristine waters while still enjoying productive days on the Copper River when not flying out. Each angler can expect approximately three to four fly-out days per week, weather permitting, making this one of the most diverse and flexible Alaska fly fishing programs available.
A typical fishing day
7:00 a.m. - A hearty breakfast with coffee available early.
8:00 a.m. - You'll leave for fishing.
Midday - You'll enjoy a packed lunch on the river.
6:00 p.m. - Time to head back to the Lodge.
8:00 p.m. - Enjoy a family-style dinner and a gourmet dessert. Enjoy a sauna in the evening.
Accomodations
Copper River Lodge offers cozy private cabins with queen and single beds, private bathrooms, and river views. The main lodge features a comfortable dining and lounge area with a deck overlooking the Copper River. The experience is intimate, hosting only 6 anglers per week, providing personalized service and a quiet wilderness retreat.
Meals are hearty and included, designed to fuel long fishing days. Breakfast features classic favorites like eggs, bacon, and coffee. Packed lunches are provided for time on the river, and dinners include fresh meats, fish, sides, and desserts, served family‑style in the lodge. The focus is rustic comfort, combining satisfying meals with a true Alaskan wilderness experience.
