Fishing Trip in the Heart of Northern Alaska – from the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge (3 days)

The floatplane touches down gently on Iniakuk Lake and taxis to the dock of the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge. 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Arctic Circle on the edge of Gates of the Arctic National Park, the lakes and rivers are frozen for half the year – which makes the fish all the hungrier in the pleasantly warm summer months when you cast your lines into the lake. An ideal spot for any fishing enthusiast.

Lake trout bite well all summer long. The ideal time, however, is late June, when the ice breaks up, or mid-August, just before the fish spawn. As the lake slowly cools down at the end of August, they move into the shallows right in front of the lodge. That not only offers incredible opportunities for unique snapshots, but also invites evening fly fishing practically from the porch. And of course they also attract other wilderness residents such as eagles and bears, which you can watch perfectly from the lodge. Easy prey right in front of the lodge.

The northern pike is the alligator of the North. Its aggressiveness in the relatively warm, very clear water is legendary, so you can easily watch the pike strike from the boat or the shore. An average pike weighs between 3 and 4 kg (7 to 9 lb). But the local waters also hold specimens of well over 10 kg (22 lb) that are more than a meter (over 3 feet) long.

The third of our favorite fish is the Arctic grayling, which shows up in small schools near the inlets and outlets of the local lakes. You can catch them all summer long – best with fly fishing gear.

The extremely quiet and remote location of the Iniakuk Lodge – far away from any civilization – makes every fishing trip a guaranteed success. Of course, you can also have the lodge's cook prepare the fish you've caught yourself. You can also have your catch filleted, vacuum-sealed and frozen right on site, so you can take it home well packed afterwards.

And of course, besides fishing there are many other ways to enjoy your time at Iniakuk. Miles of trails invite you to walk through untouched nature, explore the tundra and climb mountains. Numerous waterways offer ideal conditions for kayak trips, where you can watch nature and all kinds of wildlife such as bears, moose, caribou, eagles or beavers.

The accommodation in this idyllic lodge and the excellent cuisine made exclusively with local ingredients are nothing to sneeze at, either. It's also worth mentioning that, with its special atmosphere and wide range of activities, this lodge is especially well suited for families with children. Here you'll find all the comforts of a 5-star hotel along with the attentiveness and warmth of the best Alaskan hosts. John Gaedeke is an Alaska expert. His wealth of information and fascinating insights about the area, its plants and animals, their natural habitat and the history of this part of Alaska make us love this land all the more.