Bristol Bay Fishing Lodge

The Mulchatna River

The Mulchatna River, a 160-mile tributary of the Nushagak River, carves through the pristine wilderness of Bristol Bay, Alaska. This remote river is renowned for its untouched beauty and exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly for salmon and rainbow trout. The Lodge is based on the river with easy access to two other rivers—the Koktuli and Stuyahok.

2025 Season:  Chatna Lodge is open from June 26 to September 13.
Group Size:  Eight anglers per week.

The Fishing Program:

Boats:  18 ft. Lowe flat-bottom boats with 30 to 45 HP Yamaha outboard motors. Drift or wade fishing.
Guides:  Experienced guides are well-versed in the fishing and the area. Guides prepare a shore lunch each day. The owner, who is also the head guide, has his Wilderness First Responder and Coast Guard licenses.
Equipment:  Fly and spin fishing gear—rods, reels, flies, etc. Waders and boots are available for you to use, but please request sizes ahead of time.
Fishing License:  The package does not include an Alaska fishing license, $45 and king salmon stamp, $45 (2025).
Fish Care:  The Lodge provides vacuum-packed fish care for up to 25 pounds of your catch.

A Typical Fishing Day:

A Typical Fishing Day:
You'll have a hot-cooked breakfast.
By 8:30 a.m. - You'll head down the trail to the boats for an eight to 10-hour day of guided fishing.
Midday - Guides prepare a shore lunch of freshly caught salmon in season.
At 5:30 p.m. - You’ll usually return to the Lodge.
At 7:00 p.m. - Dinner is served.
After dinner, tie some flies, play cards, or get in some unguided fishing near the Lodge.

Fish Species

King Salmon:  Generally run from late June and closing on July 24. The Lodge prefers to practice catch-and-release with kings, only saving jacks under 24 inches. The limit is 2 per day, 4 per year (2024).
Rainbow Trout:  The Mulchatna and its tributaries offer excellent rainbow fishing. These wild fish run thick in certain parts of the river system.
Sockeye:  also known as Reds, runs thick in the Mulchatna from the end of June through mid-August. By the time they reach the Lodge, the Sockeye are often really red and spawning.
Silver Salmon:  also known as Coho, start running in early August to early September. Known for their acrobatics, these stunning fish are thick in the river and provide non-stop action.
Arctic Grayling:  Grayling are a high-elevation fish. Although elusive, they can be targeted in the surrounding streams.
Northern Pike:  Pike are caught year-round at the Lodge, but early spring and late fall fishing is best.
Dolly Varden are in good numbers from mid-July through mid-September.

Chatna Lodge on the Mulchatna

Chatna Lodge is the only established lodge on the Mulchatna River. The Lodge sits on 80 acres of private land that is surrounded by state land.

Aerial View of the Lodge

The Lodge has four bedrooms and bathrooms and comfortably accommodates eight anglers. Oversized black leather recliners, generated electricity, hot showers, a fly-tying desk, river views, and wildlife viewing.
Communications:  Starlink Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge. A satellite phone is available in case of an emergency.

Four Bedrooms at the Lodge

Two anglers per room with a private ensuite bathroom. The bedrooms have two full-size beds or a full bed with a bunk bed, as pictured above.

Meals at Chatna Lodge

Meals:  Hot-cooked breakfasts. Daily guided-prepared shore lunches with the morning catch plus sandwiches and chips. Dinners feature a nightly entree such as prime rib, king crab, fresh salmon, ribs, and more. With advance notice, the Lodge can accommodate special dietary needs. Sodas are available for purchase.
Alcohol:  The Lodge does not provide alcohol. You can purchase any alcohol for the trip while you’re in Anchorage. Or, with advance notice, the Lodge will buy alcohol for you and bill you at -cost.

Five Salmon Species

The Lodge on the Mulchatna River

40-Minute Floatplane Flight

Getting to Chatna Lodge:

1.) You’ll fly to Anchorage and stay one night at a hotel of your choice.

2.) The following morning, you’ll take a one-hour charter flight to Iliamna. This roundtrip flight is not included and runs $600 to $670 per person (2024). The Lodge will arrange this flight for you in advance, to be paid at the time of your check in with the airline.

3.) From Iliamna, you'll take a 40-minute floatplane flight and land on the river near the Lodge. You'll walk up to the Lodge, about 100 yards.
(The roundtrip floatplane flight between Iliamna and the Lodge—is the only flight included in the package.) The first- and last-night hotel stays in Anchorage are not included in the package. A list of recommended hotels is in our confirmation packet.

2025 Rates:

Season:  June 26 - September 13.

7-nights at the Lodge
and 5.5-days guided fishing
$7,400.00 per person

Bear Viewing Option:
An 8-hour bear viewing roundtrip flight may be arranged
$1,000 - $1,300 per person.
Two to six guests per trip.

Signed Release:

The Packages Include:

• Roundtrip floatplane flights between Iliamna and the Lodge
• 6-nights lodging
• All meals and sodas at the Lodge
• 5.5-days guided fishing
• Starlink Wi-Fi
• Use of fly and spin fishing equipment
• Fly-tying materials
• Use of waders and boots
• Up to 25 pounds of vacuum-sealed salmon
• Airline-approved wax fish box

The Packages Do Not Include: