Kulik Lodge, Katmai National Park

Why We Like It

Kulik Lodge is one of the best operations in the Katmai region. The Kulik River, right out the back door, ranks as one of the region’s top rainbow trout streams with each cast possibly leading to a 20- to 30-inch rainbow in the net. Guests here get first shot at it every day, either by jetboat or a short walk to the water. Short daily fly-outs with highly experienced pilots take guests to an array of quality trout creeks and rivers, including the Moraine, American, Little Ku, and Battle. This variety allows anglers to tailor trips to their specific desires. The newly renovated cabins are exceedingly cozy and a few two-room options are available as well. Rich in history, Kulik is widely regarded as Bristol Bay’s first dedicated fly-out lodge and has set a standard of service since opening in 1950. It has its own airstrip and fleet of planes including two Pilatus PC-12s that comfortably ferry anglers from Anchorage to the lodge and back. This is a well-oiled operation that knows how to get anglers into big fish in very remote places.

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Season

June - September

Species

Coho Salmon, Dolly Varden, Grayling, King Salmon, Lake Trout, Pike, Rainbow Trout, Sockeye Salmon

Accomodations

Guests stay in cozy one- or two-bedroom cabins surrounding a classic Alaskan lodge built from native spruce. It's a place where you can kick up your feet and enjoy roaring fires and rich fish stories.

Occupancy

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The Kulik Lodge, Katmai National Park Experience

All fly fishers fit in here, whether traveling as a single, pair, entire family, or corporate group. For those who want to really savor the lodge experience and not travel far to the fishing grounds, this location is ideal. Right out the door you’re only minutes from Kulik and Nonvianuk lakes and the Kulik River. Lake trout, sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden and, of course, rainbow trout are the main draws. For those wanting additional variety and adventure, short fly-outs can be arranged each day. Want to fish five rivers in five days? You can do that. Want to visit Brooks Falls or Moraine Creek to view the bears? Done deal. You choose your experience here.

Any downtime can be spent in the lodge’s great room where massive moose antlers hang above a stone fireplace and salmon mounts and historic images adorn adjacent walls. Grab a book or sit down at the fly tying table and enjoy the Alaskan experience. All meals are served here, too, with guests mingling in with guides and fellow patrons to discuss the day’s fishing and formulate plans for the following. And don’t worry about going hungry—drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served in the bar area, as well as custom to-order breakfasts. Lunches are served at the lodge or on the water. Dinners are delivered to the dining room table and may include salmon, halibut, shrimp, steak, pasta, and salads.

The Kulik River is one of Alaska’s best rainbow trout streams. Guests at the lodge get to fish it any day they choose, usually following an easy three-minute jetboat ride or a five-minute walk to the river. During Alaska’s nearly endless summer daylight, guests may fish as early or late as they choose—if they have enough energy after daily guided excursions. Kulik is ideally situated for daily fly-out fishing options too and provides quick access to many of Alaska’s most productive rainbow trout waters. The lodge stores jetboats on many of these streams so anglers can simply step out of a floatplane, climb into a boat, and start fishing.

Fishing Schedule
Guests wake early for a built-to-order breakfast then meet their guides on the beach in front of the lodge. You’ll either load into a jetboat for a day on the Kulik or other nearby streams or climb into one of Kulik’s fleet of floatplanes and enjoy an amazing flight to other legendary waters. Packed lunches are most often served on the water and you’re right back to fishing. At days end, lodge staff greets guests with a drink as you get off the floatplane. Anglers fishing via jetboat need only walk up to the lodge for their favorite libation.

Boats and Equipment
Jetboats are the name of the game here and are used whether fishing streams or the area’s numerous lakes. Kulik’s incredible collection of bushplanes will get you anywhere else. Bristol Adventures, Kulik’s parent company, also owns Katmai Air, which means this fleet is superbly maintained and ready for takeoff.

Loaner Gear

Anglers can use the lodges fishing gear if needed, which includes waders, boots, fly rods and reels, and all leaders, tippet and flies. You will need to bring your own high quality rain jacket. If you bring your own wading boots, remember, felt soled boots are not allowed in Alaska. The lodge restricts metal cleats.

Kulik’s newly remodeled cabins sleep two guests very comfortably. The addition of several new two-room cabins makes it easy for larger parties to spend quality time together. Each cabin has a heating unit that’s very efficient at keeping the rooms warm, electricity, and private bath and shower. Each cabin offers views of Nonvianuk Lake and the beautiful lodge grounds. Space to hang and dry waders is plentiful. A short walk from the cabin places you at the main lodge, built out of local spruce around a massive stone fireplace surrounded couches and chairs. Meals are served at the main lodge next to a bar that opens when anglers returns from fishing. And what fly fishing lodge is complete without a fly tying table? A hot tub and sauna are also available any time.

Cuisine
Expect to eat classic Alaskan meals that include wild salmon, halibut, scallops, prawns, steaks, potatoes, pasta, homemade breads, salads, and smoked meats. You will not go hungry here. Made-to-order breakfasts and coffee start the day. Lunches are served on the water or back at the lodge depending on a guest’s preference. Dinners are served when all guests have returned from their day of adventure. The staff here truly takes pride in making your meals great.

Connectivity
Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge. Streaming services are limited and reliability depends on the number of guests who are online at any given time. However, Kulik’s bandwidth easily handles e-mail, social media, and messaging. A telephone is available at the main office/store.

Kulik is a fishing lodge first, but fly-outs to Brooks Falls and the famous Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes are available. In July, flights to Brooks are free for Kulik guests. These flights are also available in June and August for a standard fly-out rate. These bear viewing trips are unguided, but Kulik’s sister lodge, Brooks Lodge, provides a bear orientation when guests land. During summer, guests at Kulik see plenty of bears and other wildlife, including moose, otters, waterfowl, and eagles. Lynx sometimes visit the lodge grounds.

Getting to Kulik is easy. Simply arrive in Anchorage ahead of the scheduled flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays to board one of their private, pressurized Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for an hour flight Kulik Lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge’s private airstrip you’ll be greeted by the staff, shuttled by van to the main lodge, and then shown to your room. Note: Each guest is limited to 50 pounds of luggage, including carry-ons.

Midcurrent’s services are completely free. Clients will not pay more than if booked directly with a lodge. All rates are per person based on double occupancy, and listed in U.S. dollars.

2023 Rates (per person based on double occupancy/shared guide/boat)

June 10—September 30

3 Nights (Arrive Saturday/Depart Tuesday): $5,995

4 Nights (Arrive Tuesday/Depart Saturday): $6,995

7 Nights (Arrive Tuesday/Depart Saturday): $8,995

Guided Fly-Outs

(Purchased on-site at Kulik): $500 per person/per day

Note: Two person minimum

Rates Include:

Round Trip Air Transportation Between Anchorage and Kulik Lodge
Daily Boat and Guide Service on Kulik River
Lodging
Meals
Rod and Wader Rental
Flies and Terminal Tackle
Complimentary Cocktails Each Evening
Day trips to Brooks Lodge for bearviewing (unguided) June 28 – July 29 at no extra charge(not on arrival or departure days)

Rates Do NOT Include:

Alaska Fishing License
Guided Fly Outs
Transportation to Anchorage
Hotel Accommodations in Anchorage
Gratuities for Lodge Staff and Guides
Gift Shop Merchandise (clothing, souvenirs, toiletries, etc.)
Select “Top Shelf” Liquors (available for purchase)

Kulik Lodge reservations may be cancelled for any reason.

Reservations that are cancelled more than 90 days before the original trip start date;
Are eligible to receive a full refund of all payment previously made.
Are eligible for a full credit of payments made, that may be used for future trips(see below for rebooking terms).

Reservations that are cancelled 90 days or less before original trip start date;
Are eligible to receive a refund only if space made available by the cancellation is sold to another party. Refunds issued will be only equal to the resold amount received.
Are eligible for a full credit of payments made, that may be used for future trips(see below for rebooking terms).

All reservations that are cancelled;
Forfeit first right of refusal to the dates made available by the cancelled reservation.
May be rescheduled for future trips based on availability only after all current season first right of refusal options are exercised.

Bookings are confirmed with a 50% deposit made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency deemed reasonable at Midcurrent’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. Midcurrent’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that Midcurrent represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from Midcurrent’s terms, supersede any agreements between Midcurrent and a client.

Get in touch today to start planning your next fly fishing adventure!

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Kulik Lodge, Katmai National Park