Anderson's Alaska Salmon Camp

The Lower Nushagak River

The Nushagak is considered the best freshwater king salmon fishing in Alaska. Since 2004, Anderson’s Outdoors Alaska Salmon Camp has operated on the lower Nushagak River, about one mile below the village of Portage Creek. The camp sits in the middle of the river's most productive stretch, just below the east and west forks that divide the salmon run.
The entire salmon run swims past their camp.
Most years, the king salmon runs exceed 33,000, with an additional million sockeye and 500,000 chum salmon also returning through the lower river. You are literally in the heart of the world’s best salmon fishing. Most kings are fresh from the ocean and aggressive biters and fighters. A typical day per boat is double-digit catches of kings and many chum salmon. Chum salmon are present all season, and sockeye are available four out of their five weeks of operation, making this trip a salmon angler's dream.
Techniques include side drifting (dragging bait), trolling with a light leader, and back trolling/bouncing.

The Fishing Program:

2027 Season:  The Camp is open from June 18 to July 8. The “historic” peak of the King Salmon run is June 20-July 5, based on ADFG sonar count data.
Group Size:  The Camp is limited to eight anglers per week.
Guides:  There are two guides and a camp chef. All staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid. Kent is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain.
Fishing Equipment:  Conventional bait-casting gear is provided—Lamiglas Certified Pro series rods and Rogue Rods, and Ambassadeur and Okuma reels rigged with 25-pound main line. Fly anglers must bring their own gear.
Fishing License:  The package does not include a 7-day non-resident Alaska fishing license ($45) or a king stamp ($45) (2025). You must get your license and tag before the trip. Here is the link: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov.
Fish Care is provided. They fillet, vacuum-pack, freeze, and box your catch for transport. The package includes airline-approved fish boxes. On the way to Camp, many guests transport their clothes in a cooler, along with a duffel bag, then use the cooler for fish transport and the duffel for their clothes.
2026 Fishing Regulations:
• Daily Limit:  2 king salmon 20 inches or longer, only one of which may be 28 inches or longer.
• Annual Limit:  4 king salmon 20 inches or longer, only one of which may be 28 inches or longer.
• Kings Under 20 Inches:  5 per day and 5 in possession; these do not count toward the annual limit.
Fishing regulations and harvest limits are subject to change. Please check current ADF&G Southwest Alaska fishing regulations before your trip.

Willie Predator Powerboats

Boats:  20 ft. Willie Predator powerboats with 115 HP Yamaha four-stroke outboard motors, trolling motors, electronics, and padded seats with backrests. The boats have a 6-foot-wide floor and are nearly 8 feet across the beam, making them very stable for fighting king salmon. You'll fish four anglers per boat and guide.

A Typical Fishing Day:
Before Breakfast — Bank Fishing: With nearly 24 hours of daylight, early risers can fish for salmon from the bank before breakfast. The main river channel is about 50 feet of camp, offering excellent bank fishing.
7:00 a.m. — Breakfast: Enjoy a hearty, chef-prepared breakfast at camp.
8:00 a.m. — Morning Fishing: Head out with your guide for the morning. Prime fishing waters are never more than a five-minute run from camp.
12:30 p.m. — Lunch: Return to camp for lunch while the morning’s catch is cleaned and processed.
Afternoon — Fishing: After lunch, head back out for about five more hours of guided fishing.
6:30 p.m. — Dinner: Return to camp for appetizers and a chef-prepared dinner.
Evening — Bank Fishing: With the main river channel just steps from camp and long hours of Alaska daylight, you can continue fishing from shore after dinner.
The schedule can be flexible due to the camp’s small size and proximity to prime fishing waters.