moderate
4–6 hours
Participants should be comfortable walking and moving on boats, but no advanced fitness level required.
Join Alaska Boat Rental & Guide Service for an unforgettable Bear Viewing & Fishing adventure at Big River Lakes. Witness bears feasting on salmon and reel in magnificent sockeye while soaring over Alaska’s wilderness—an experience that captures the essence of this wild state.
6 Hours • Available 6/10 - 8/31 • $650 per person
Experience the wild heart of Alaska on a thrilling Bear Viewing and Fishing Expedition at Big River Lakes. Enjoy breathtaking views during a scenic seaplane flight, encounter playful bears feasting on salmon, and reel in sockeye or silver salmon in pristine waters. This unforgettable adventure is perfect for all ages!
6 Hours
Big River Lakes: Bear Viewing and Fishing
6/10 - 6/31 Sockeye Salmon 7/15 - 8/31 Silver Salmon
This trip is great for just about any ages includes younger children.
Welcome to the wild heart of Alaska, where untamed landscapes and extraordinary wildlife converge in a spectacle like no other. Each year, our Bear Flyout and Fishing Expedition to Big River Lakes is one of the most popular trips for our guests.
This pristine expanse showcases the grandeur of active volcanoes, expansive ice fields, and colossal glaciers. It's the annual migration of sockeye and silver salmon that truly sets the stage for the extraordinary.
Your journey begins with a breathtaking 40-minute flight from our seaplane base in Soldotna, passing iconic Mount Redoubt, which entertained the world with its explosive eruption in 2009. Upon arrival, we'll whisk you away on a river boat. Here, you'll come face to face with bears—playful cubs, young adult bears, and awe-inspiring giants that command respect from all others. They are irresistibly drawn to the lake's edge, where thousands of salmon embark on their remarkable spawning journey in the shallows. As the salmon complete their life cycle and drift back into the river outlet, it's a feast that lures more bears to the riverbanks in search of an effortless meal.
Beyond the awe-inspiring bear viewing, Big River Lakes offer outstanding fishing opportunities. While you soak in the untouched beauty of this natural wonder, you'll have the chance to reel in sockeye or silver salmon depending upon the time of year.
· Sockeye Salmon: Each angler is allowed a daily bag limit of 3 sockeye per person per day
· Silver Salmon: Each angler is allowed a daily bag limit of 3 silver salmon per person per day
· Daily Departures at: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 1:30PM
We will be meeting at one of 3 different float plane bases located in or near the town of Soldotna and will provide you confirmation of which float plane base a few days before your scheduled flight. They are all within a few minutes of Soldotna and which float plane depends upon which plane is being used for the day and how many total passengers for the flight
Depending upon the number of passengers your plane may be a Cessna Caravan, a DeHavilland Beaver, DeHavilland Otter, or a Cessna 207 if you are on one of the early season beach bear viewing trips.
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**• Alaska sport fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years and older. • BRING YOUR FISHING LICENSE! • Food, drinks, snacks, and water. Alcoholic beverages are allowed but please no hard alcohol or glass • Phones and cameras
• Waders and Boots if needed for your trip • All fishing tackle such as rods, reels, bait, terminal tackle • Knowledgable, experienced guides
Weather can change quickly in Alaska; layering helps you stay comfortable throughout the day.
A good pair of binoculars enhances wildlife viewing, especially for distant bears and birds.
Waterproof boots keep your feet dry during boat rides and when wading or walking near water.
Early morning or late afternoon provides the best natural lighting for capturing wildlife and scenery.
The Soldotna area has historically been a hub for fishing and outdoor recreation, shaping the community's close relationship with Alaska's wilderness.
Alaska Boat Rental & Guide Service prioritizes eco-friendly practices, ensuring that the area’s natural beauty remains pristine for future visitors.
Enhances wildlife viewing for distant bears and birds.
Keeps you dry during boat rides and rain showers.
all specific
Allows you to adjust to changing temperatures.
all specific
Captures wildlife and scenic moments in detail.