Kvichak Lodge - Igiugig, Alaska

Rick N

The Kvichak Lodge and Mike McDowell can provide the experience and great fishing that that you are looking for in Alaska. Mike grew up in Alaska, helped build the Lodge with his dad, and has a indepth knowledge of fishing on the Kvichak. ||||The Kvichak Lodge sits on the Kvichak River and is home to Trophy Rainbows, the biggest Sockeye Salmon run in the world, Grayling, Lake Trout, and more. For Kings, Mike can arrange a fly out to the Nushagak River where he has boats staged on the river. ||||The Lodge itself is very comfortable, well appointed, and sits right on the Kvichak River. Enjoy the wonderful meals prepared by their very creative professional chef, have great evening appetizers after a long day of fishing, and end another great day on the Kvichak.||||The guides know the river, and they will put you on the fish. John, the head guide, has been guiding at the Kvichak Lodge for over 20 years. John has an incredible knowledge of the river and where the fish are. The metal flat bottomed boats suit the channels, sand bars, etc. of the river, and will accommodate up to three fishermen.||||Mother Nature, of course, has the final say on fishing success because the timing of the annual fish runs can vary. That said, Mike McDowell will do his best to insure your trip’s success. If the fish are not cooperating, Mike can arrange a flyout to see the bears at Brooks Falls trying to catch salmon as they go up the falls. ||||I have been to the Kvichak Lodge 19 times over the past 23 years and I have not been disappointed. The timing of the runs (fish going to spawn) has been tough a few times, but the lodge, the food, the comfortable clean rooms, and good guides have been constants. Thanks Mike for another enjoyable and successful trip to the Kvichak Lodge.||||Let the photos tell the rest of the story about our stay at the Kvichak Lodge!

GrandTour647980

Just finished enjoying my fifth trip to Mike McDowell and staff at the Kvichak Lodge. We love the accommodations with window views overlooking the river and wildlife.||Mike must have arranged a special brown bear viewing from the back deck at the lodge and took me for a flight to view an enormous moose in the wild.||Jared and Brad are outstanding and hard working fly fishing guides and found spots to target rainbows even though chum and sockeye numbers were down a little this year.||Mary was our gourmet chef and meals were outstanding. We finished up with crab and prime rib feast.||It was nice to meet other fishermen who were there to target salmon or to swing streamers.||Hoping to return for other great adventures in Alaska at Mike’s Kvichak Lodge.

Rick N

2021 was a great year at the Kvichak Lodge. Mike McDowell, the owner, his talented guides, and Mary the chef made for a tremendous fishing trip with my buddies. Mike's continual upgrading of the facility, the knowledge and hard work of the guides, arrival of the sockeye salmon in bunches ,and the scrumptious meals prepared by Mary made the trip fantastic. A big Thank You to Mike and his staff!

Rick N

The Kvichak Lodge team and Mike McDowell make sure each guest has a wonderful experience fishing for big rainbows, grayling, pike, king salmon, and sockeye salmon. Mary, the chef, provides excellent meals to match the fishing. The King Crab Legs were awesome! Accommodations are nice and the housekeeping is first rate. Mother Nature was late with the sockeye run and hit us with a few really warm days, but Mother Nature relented, the sockeyes showed up, and the warm spell abated. Thanks Brad for working hard and getting us on the fish!

Mark B

I had the pleasure of spending a week at Kvichak Lodge! Mike and his team are 100% dialed into assuring YOU HAVE A WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCE! They had the beverages & food everyone in our party like. Let me assure you ALL MEALS WERE 5 STAR QUALITY. My wife told the team a KVICHAK LODGE my favorite cake is German Chocolate. Well, we celebrated my birthday while at Kvichak Lodge. They made a German Chocolate cake for my birthday cake. To this day that German Chocolate cake is still THE BEST German Chocolate cake I have had. ||||Now, for the fishing, Mike's guide team PUT US ON FISH EVERY TIME WE WENT OUT! One day, I caught six different species of fish! His guides could spot fish when no one else on the boat could even see them! I told his guide, my dream is to catch a large Rainbow. He made sure I caught a large Rainbow. That Rainbow was 28". Keep in mind this was in July when the Salmon are running (well before the Rainbow run).||||As far as the scenery, the views are breathtaking; from the wildlife, to the mountains, to the crystal clear water, to the soaring Bald Eagles and roaming bears, you will not find a more scenic, surreal, peaceful place to hang your hat for a vacation. Mike took us up to Brooks Falls. From the taking off from the KVichak River to landing on landing on Lake Brooks, the aerial views were spectacular. Once at Brooks Falls, the sights of watching the bears catch Salmon was one of the most majestic sights anyone could imagine! We are looking to go back in the future! ||||Thank you Mike and team for the best fishing/wildlife vacation experience I have had the pleasure to experience!

Elise M

One of the greatest experiences of my life. My father took clients fishing with Mike every year and I finally got to go in the summer of 2001. We flew into Anchorage and drove around the area because I didn't know when I would ever get back. Then we flew over to Igiugig where we met Mike and went on to the Lodge. Every aspect of this adventure was first class. The food was exceptional and Mike and his staff take phenomenal care of everyone. I took one flyfishing lesson before the trip but Mike has the most amazing guides. He told me to listen to John (I love that he is still a guide with Mike) and everything would be great. I did and only foul-hooked one fish the entire trip. I caught the limit every day and then more that we threw back. It is an outstanding fight to bring in the Sockeye Salmon. The scenery is one of the most gorgeous and awesome things that you will ever see. The thing that I love to see is that you can look at my photos from 2001 and the ones being posted from 2023 and see that the place hasn't changed. That is priceless and something money cannot buy. Mike's hospitality is unparalleled and there is not much better than the Presidential Sunset Cruise, I believe it was around 2 AM! Flying over to Brooks Lodge and Camp in Katmai National Park is an experience you cannot miss. Pay attention during Bear School and then go see some of the most amazing bears and salmon and beauty of this national treasure. I pray that I will be able to get back here one day.

Kodey Wolf

Brandon Stock