Southwest Region

From Bristol Bay to the Aleutian Islands Southwest Alaska

Southwest Links Activities (4) Lodging (3) Transportation (1) Travel Planners (3)   Southwest Cities Bethel Dillingham St. Paul Unalaska More...   Southwest Parks Yukon Delta Togiak Becharof Izembek Alaska Peninsula Alaska Maritime Katmai Park Aniakchak National More...

The Southwest Alaska panorama ranges from the gentle grasslands of the Aleutian Islands to the surreal volcanic landscape of Katmai National Park. The natural habitat of brown bear, sea otters, fur seals, and sea birds make Southwest Alaska a paradise for the naturalist and fisherman.

A visit to the Pribilof Islands (St. George Island and St. Paul Island) in the Bering Sea are an unparalleled opportunity for wildlife photographers and bird watchers. Rocky cliffs and beaches support some of the largest sea bird and fur seal populations in the world.

Fly-in fishing lodges dot the wilderness-remote havens for angles from every country. Limitless sport fishing opportunities are here, between the salmon-rich waters of Bristol Bay (the world's largest producer of red salmon), freshwater lakes brimming with grayling and char, and rivers running with salmon and trout.

The Alaska Peninsula extends 55 miles into the Pacific Ocean toward the Aleutian Islands. At its head is Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, a magnificent wilderness of sea coast, mountains, and glaciers, interspersed with lakes containing trophy rainbow trout. King Salmon, Dillingham, and Iliamna are prime sportfishing locales and access points to the region's famous fly-in fishing lodges.

King Salmon is also the gateway to the beautiful Katmai National Park and Preserve, another well-known brown bear habitat. Also located in the park are the volcanic landscapes in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

Dillingham on Alaska's Bristol Bay is the Gateway to the Wood River and Tikchik River Systems. This area is great for sport fishing, exploring, photography, camping, and did we mention the fishing? Reds (Sockeye Salmon) peak from June 25th to July 10th; Kings (Chinook Salmon) peak from June 20th to July 15th; Silvers (Coho Salmon) peak from July 25th to August 15th. A variety of trout and other fish can also be caught in these waters.

The beautiful windswept Aleutian Islands sweep 1500 miles toward Asia. Numerous national wildlife refuges dot the isles where a 19-day battle between Japanese and American troops raged in May 1943 (the only enemy engagement fought on U.S. soil during World War II. The Aleutian Islands make a memorable addition to your Alaska vacation itinerary. Scheduled jet flights will take you to Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, a major fishing port with comfortable hotels. Or, take a summer ferry sailing from Kodiak.