Catch a Rare Fish on the Nush!

Salmon fishing in Alaska should be high on everyone’s bucket list, and Fish the Nush is steps from one of the longest king salmon runs in Alaska: the Nushagak “Nush” River. The Last Frontier is a vast outdoor enthusiast’s playground, and we offer anglers so much more than just king salmon. Our rivers and creeks are home to many unique fish species in the Northwest. Here are five rare fish species you may reel in on your next voyage to Fish the Nush!

Chum Salmon

You’ll know you caught a chum salmon the moment you spot their red and black vertical stripes. Chum salmon are known to many locals as dog salmon because they’re often fed to sled dogs. These fish don’t freeze particularly well, and their meat is somewhat mushy. Chum taste best smoked! These striped beauties are an underrated game fish because they’re massive and extra-tough battlers. Catch a chum salmon by float fishing with a twitching pink marabou jig.

Pink Salmon

We call pink salmon humpies for a reason. The male spawning pink salmon in the Nush have large, sometimes massive, humps. Humpies are the smallest North American salmon species, and they’re also quite common in most regions in the Pacific. But anglers on the Nush don’t often catch these tricky buggers. Bake pink salmon with lemon, butter, and herbs – you won’t be disappointed. Humpies love the color pink, but they’ll bite just about anything. Don’t be afraid to catch a humpy when salmon fishing in Alaska – they’re quite delicious!

Arctic Char

The lower half of the large males during spawning season are a beautiful shade of orange. Arctic char have a flavor profile somewhere between salmon and trout. Spinners and spoons are widely considered the best lures to catch an Arctic char.

Arctic Grayling

Arctic graylings can sometimes fit in one hand. They’re indeed a beautiful fish, especially when fully grown! Anglers love taking photos of adult graylings because they have extra large fins. While you can technically eat an Arctic grayling, they’re usually caught and released. They’re quite boney and mildly mushy. Remember to use light spinning or fly gear. Small jigs, flies, and spinners often do the trick. Graylings are often hiding in rocky outcrops along the Nush.

Dolly Varden Trout

This beautiful species is often mistaken for the Arctic char. Adult males can look eerily similar, but Dolly Varden trout, “Dollies,” have more spots while the Arctic char has a moderately forked tail. Dollies were initially miscategorized as a trout. They’re a member of the char family, and their aggressive nature makes them a ton of fun to battle. You can catch a Dollie by using small silver spinners and spoons or even salmon eggs.

Salmon Fishing in Alaska

It’s never too soon to book a king salmon fishing adventure at Fish the Nush for next season. Availability is limited, and our prices simply cannot be beaten, so act fast! We have cozy four-person cabins, spectacular world-class dining, and skilled and knowledgeable fishing guides. Make memories that will last a lifetime with a summer fishing expedition on the Nushagak River!