Klawock River
Fly fishing in Alaska · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Steelhead, Silver Salmon, King Salmon
About This Water
Prince of Wales Island stream with steelhead and salmon. Remote island fishing.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to Prince of Wales Island. As your guide, I can tell you that the Klawock River is one of the most accessible and productive systems in Southeast Alaska. Unlike many remote Alaskan rivers that require a floatplane, the Klawock is accessible by the island’s road system, making it a favorite for DIY anglers and seasoned pros alike.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing the Klawock River.
🎣 Location Overview
The Klawock River is a relatively short, lake-fed system on the western side of Prince of Wales (POW) Island. It flows from Klawock Lake approximately two miles into the Klawock Inlet. Because it is lake-fed, the river tends to be more stable and clear than the "flashy" coastal streams nearby, though it can still rise rapidly during heavy Southeast Alaskan rains.
What makes this river special is the Klawock River Hatchery. This facility ensures massive returns of Coho (Silver) salmon, which in turn supports a healthy ecosystem for other species. It is a "classic" Southeast Alaska setting: towering old-growth spruce, moss-covered banks, and the constant presence of bald eagles and black bears.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Steelhead (Wild)
The Klawock hosts a respectable run of wild Steelhead. These fish are chrome-bright, powerful, and notoriously elusive. They don't "feed" much in the river but are highly territorial.
- Holding: Look for them in "walking speed" water, tailouts of pools, and just in front of or behind large boulders.
Silver Salmon (Coho)
The stars of the Klawock. These fish are aggressive and known for their aerial acrobatics.
- Behavior: They love "froggy" water—slow-moving sloughs, deep holes, and woody debris. Unlike other salmon, Silvers will often chase a fly and even strike on the surface.
King Salmon (Chinook)
While many Kings are caught in the salt, a decent number enter the Klawock. They are massive and require heavy gear.
- Behavior: They hold deep. They prefer the coldest, deepest guts of the river and require you to get your fly right in their kitchen.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Mid-April – May): This is Steelhead season. The window is short and weather-dependent. Look for "The Push" after a spring rain.
- Summer (Late June – July): This is the window for King Salmon. This is also when the Sockeye (Red) Salmon run, providing great action if you want to fill the freezer.
- Fall (Late August – Early October): The prime window for Silver Salmon. September is the "Golden Month" on the Klawock. The fish are fresh from the salt and extremely aggressive.
- Time of Day: In the fall, light doesn't matter as much as the tide. Fish move into the river on the incoming tide. Early morning usually sees the least wind and the most active fish.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
For Steelhead
- Patterns: Egg-Stacy, Glo-Bugs (size 8-10), and "Intruders" in pink/orange or black/blue.
- Technique: Nymphing under an indicator with a weighted fly or bead is most productive. However, swinging large flies with a Spey rod or switch rod is the "purest" way to find the aggressive fish.
For Silver Salmon
- Patterns: The Pink Polywog (surface!), Hareball Leeches (pink/purple), and Clouser Minnows (chartreuse/white).
- Technique: The "Coho Twitch." Use a weighted fly, cast across the current, let it sink, and strip it back with short, erratic twitches. If the water is calm, skitter a Polywog across the surface for heart-stopping topwater strikes.
For King Salmon
- Patterns: Large, heavy Intruders or Squid patterns in "Electric Blue" or "Hot Chartreuse."
- Technique: Heavy sink tips are mandatory. You must get the fly to the bottom and "swing" it through the deep holding pools.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Hatchery Hole: The area near the Klawock River Hatchery weir is the most popular spot. While it can get crowded, it holds the highest concentration of fish. If you want solitude, hike upstream toward the lake.
- The Bridge: The bridge in the town of Klawock is a great place to spot fish. If you see "finning" or splashing from the bridge, the run is in.
- Tidal Influence: The lower river is highly tidal. Silver salmon often move in schools with the high tide. Position yourself in the lower stretches as the tide rises to intercept fresh "sea-bright" fish.
- The "Slow" Strip: On the Klawock, many anglers strip their flies too fast. For Silvers, sometimes a slow, rhythmic "jigging" motion works better than a fast escape motion.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of the land around the river is owned by the Klawock Heinya Native Corporation. Ensure you are aware of where public access ends and private/tribal land begins. Usually, staying below the high-water mark is the rule, but check local signage.
- Regulations: Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) regulations for the Klawock can change annually.
- Check for "Fly-Fishing Only" zones or seasons.
- A King Salmon stamp is required if you intend to harvest or even target Kings.
- Bear Safety: This is high-density Black Bear country. They are there for the salmon. Always carry bear spray, make noise when walking through brush, and never leave fish guts on the bank—throw them into the fast moving current.
- Gear: A 7-weight rod is perfect for Steelhead and Silvers; bring a 9-weight for Kings. High-quality wading boots with felt or studs are recommended, as the rocks can be incredibly slick with algae.
Tight lines! The Klawock is a special place—respect the land and the fish, and you'll have a trip of a lifetime.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis tricaudatus | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #16-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20, RS2 #18-20, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | All Day | #6-10 | Kaufmann's Stone #8-10, Golden Rogue Foam Stone #8-10, Pat's Rubber Leg #6-10 |
| Green Sedge Rhyacophila | caddis | July, August, September | Evening | #12-16 | Green Weenie #12-14, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16 |
| Little Black Stonefly Capniidae | stonefly | March, April | Afternoon | #14-18 | Early Black Stone #16-18, Prince Nymph #14-18 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | March, April, May, September | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Palomino Midge #20-24 |
| March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni | mayfly | May | Afternoon | #12-14 | March Brown #12-14, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-14, March Brown Wet Fly #14 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | July, August | Evening/Dusk | #14-16 | Hydropsyche Larva #14-16, Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 |
| Giant Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica | stonefly | June | All Day | #4-8 | Sofa Pillow #6-8, Giant Stone Nymph #4-8 |