What to Expect at McDougall Lodge
Call
Office: (928) 529-5250
Lodge: (907) 733-2818
Info@McDougallLodge.com
Address
3609 Kingman AZ, 86402
GETTING STARTED
Transportation/Airfare
Unless otherwise noted, the round trip from Anchorage to McDougall Lodge via Float Plane is included with your reservation.
TO ANCHORAGE:
Book a flight to Anchorage from your nearest airport. Stay at any one of the below mentioned hotels once you arrive in Anchorage, or arrange to leave the same day by float plane.
TO THE LODGE:
Accessible by float plane, McDougall Lodge is located 65 miles northwest of Anchorage. Experience the thrill of flying over untarnished wilderness with Rust’s Flying Service, and you don’t even need to worry about booking your flight. We’ll take care of all the flight arrangements for you and your party. You can even purchase your fishing license and airline-approved fish boxes right at Rust’s Flying service.
RUST’S FLYING SERVICE
4525 Endstrom Circle
Anchorage, AK 99502
Phone: (907) 243-1595
REGAL AIR
4506 Lakeshore Dr,
Anchorage, AK 99502
Phone: (907) 243-8535
Rust’s Flying Service are a stone’s throw away from the Anchorage International Airport, and they offer shuttle service from the airport (based upon availability), for your convenience.
Round trip airfare to McDougall Lodge is approximately $255 per person and payment must be made on the day of departure to the lodge. They even accept all major credit cards, so paying is easy.
Alaska is home to all five species of Pacific Salmon and we fish them all here in Lake Creek which features a gravel bottom river where salmon prefer to build their nests. Alaska King Salmon go out to sea for one-five years before migrating back to their native rivers & streams to spawn. King Salmon can measure up to 36 inches in length and weighing up to 30 pounds in this river. King Salmon in the Talachulitna River are much larger, reaching up to 60 inches in length and up to 70lbs.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Be sure to mention McDougall Lodge when making reservations so you can receive the special rates quoted here.
Alex Inn and Suites (special rate $149/night)
4615 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517-3299
Contact: Ken Brown 907-243-3131
Lake Front Hotel
4800 Spenard Rd. Anchorage, AK 99517
(907)-243-2300
Motel 6 – Airport/Midtown
5000 A Street, Anchorage, AK, 99503
Contact: Nicole Dahl at 907-222-9047 or 907-677-8000
Fairfield Inn & Suites – Airport/Midtown
5060 A Street, Anchorage, AK 99503 USA
Contact: Nicole Dahl at 907-222-9047 or 907-222-9000
Comfort Inn – Downtown
111 West Ship Creek, Anchorage, AK 99501
Contact: Nicole Dahl at 907-222-9047 or 907-277-6887
LaQuinta Inn and Suites
3501 Minnesota Dr, Anchorage, AK 99503
907-276-8884
WILDLIFE
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to take stunning wildlife photos on one of our fly outs. They’re a photographer’s dream, and a sight-seeing adventure you won’t get elsewhere. But be sure to bring an extra memory card so you won’t miss a thing. Remember, it’s easier to claim bragging rights when you have the photos to back them.
And you usually don’t have to try too hard to see wildlife in the Lake Creek area. The wildlife is abundant, many of the woods and valleys virtually untouched by man, which means you see the unspoiled habitat of many amazing creatures. Search out the Alaskan wildlife from one of our boats or book a flight directly from the lodge for an incredible aerial tour you’ll never forget.
Expect to see any of the following near McDougall Lodge: moose, fox, wolf, beaver, and a wide assortment of birds, including eagles, owls, ducks, geese and much more…
FISHING EQUIPMENT
Spend your days fishing prime salmon and trout waters without worrying about what kind of fishing equipment to pack. Your private Alaskan fishing guide will customize your trip to suit your individual fishing style, and that includes all of your rods and tackle. Whether you prefer to spin-fish or fly fish, our guides will make sure you have the quality fishing equipment and tackle you need for the best catch possible. That’s what we mean when we say custom, fully-guided fishing expeditions.
Jet sleds provide opportunities to fish the lower eight miles of Lake Creek as well as various other clear-water tributaries of the Yentna River, and small fishing groups give you a personalized experience.
WHAT TO PACK
When you’re planning an Alaskan fishing trip, you’ve got to remember that you’ll be far from the nearest grocery store, but you’ll also be provided with comfortable accommodations. To make sure you have the most enjoyable trip possible, we’ve provided this packing list for you so you have a better idea of what to pack for your Alaskan fishing trip.
Remember to Travel Lightly!
When traveling by float plane, baggage space is limited so avoid hard suitcases and bring only duffel bags for your trip to the lodge.
Be sure to strap on your cameras and wear sturdy shoes. You’ll want to have your camera ready on the flight from Anchorage to McDougall Lodge, as you never know what kind of wildlife you’ll see along the way.
What to Pack for an Alaskan Fishing Trip
- Breathable waders
- Polarized sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent (we recommend Deet)
- Sunblock
- Camera, memory cards and/or film
- Weather conditions vary so bring clothes for both warm and cool weather (including raingear, fleece clothing, hooded sweatshirt, light-weight long underwear, wool & cotton socks, shorts, t-shirts, etc.)
- Baseball cap
- Flip-flop sandals or slippers for inside the lodge
- Personal toiletries/medicines
- Alcohol/tobacco
- Desired snacks
- Cash (gratuities)
- Fishing licence (can be purchased at Rust’s Flying Service)
- Fish box (see below for more info.)
- Headlamp or lightweight flashlight (when traveling in Aug. or Sept. because daylight is limited)
- Long-distance phone card
FAQ’S
Learn from questions that previous guests have asked us previously!
Lake Creek / McDougal Lodge FAQs
Q: Where are you located?
A: McDougall Lodge is located 65 miles NW of Anchorage, right on the edge of Denali National Park. It’s about a 35 minute float-plane flight out of Anchorage. There isn’t a road around for 65 miles, and that’s a good thing. Fewer modes of transportation helps cut back on the crowds you experience down south!
Q: What do your packages include?
A: Our all inclusive fishing packages include fully guided fishing, rods, reels and tackle, lodging and meals. We’ll also fillet, freeze and vacuum pack your catch.
Q: What is not included in your packages?
A: You are responsible for purchasing your own fishing license and for gratuities. We do not have a liquor license so we cannot sell you and alcoholic beverages. Let us know what you would like to have at the lodge ad we will have it freighted in for you for the freight fee, We take care of everything else.
Q: How many fish can we harvest on Lake Creek?
A: Since 2012 during King Salmon season, you are allowed to keep 2 King Salmon per season. Once you harvest a King Salmon you are not allowed to fish for Kings any longer that day. You would then target Rainbow Trout or Pike if you choose to continue fishing. During Sockeye, Silver, Chum and Pink Salmon season you are allowed to be in possession of three Salmon per day. Sometimes you are only allowed two Silver Salmon and one other species per day.
Q: How much fish can I take home with me?
A: Most of our clients will take home 50+ lbs of fish. The airlines allow two 50 lb pieces of luggage, so we recommend you bring one 50 lb bag full of clothing, etc. then you purchase an airline-approved fish box and fill that with 50 lbs of fish. This becomes your second piece of luggage. This way you don’t have to pay anything additional to take your fish back with you.
Q: How much does the float plane cost?
A: Approximately $250 round-trip per person which is included with your reservation unless it is removed for a discounted trip, and we will schedule this flight for you.
Q: How much is a fishing license?
A: Approximately $45 + $35 for the King Stamp.
Q: What kind of fish do we catch?
A: In Alaska, we have all five species of Pacific Salmon (Kings, Sockeye, Silver, Chum, Pinks), Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling. We also have a series of seven lakes that are within 5 miles of the lodge that are full of Pike.
Q: Are there any Steelhead?
A: No, not near McDougall Lodge.
Q: When is the best time to fish Lake Creek?
A: It depends on what you want to fish for. We start booking for kings at the end of May up until the second week of July. About July 18th, we start booking for Sockeye, Silver, Chum, and Pink Salmon. We get Rainbow Trout all summer long, but the first 2 weeks of June and early September is the prime time to catch large Rainbow Trout. We also have catch a lot of Arctic Grayling the first 2 weeks of June.
Q: Do you have a problem with the bears?
A: Not usually. We do have bears in our area, but it’s nothing like fishing on the Russian or Kenai. Usually if you see a bear, it’s going to be running from you. All of our guides carry firearms, so you don’t need to pack the bear spray.
Basic Fishing Information:
From the end of May until approximately June 15 we fish for King Salmon, primarily back-trolling or fishing off anchor, using qwik fish, plugs & spin-n-glows. We also throw some spinners.
From mid-June until the first week of July (the water drops) we will be primarily drift-fishing (corkie & yarn) or fly fishing for King Salmon.
From July 15 until the first week of August we primarily fish for Sockeye and Silver Salmon with a few Chums and Pinks.
King Season closes July 14th, but you can still catch some Kings, which gives you the opportunity to have Grand Slams (catching all five species of Pacific Salmon). During this period we are spin fishing and fly fishing. Eggs work well along with throwing spinners for catching Silver Salmon in the lower end of the river. Fly fishing is good beginning this time, until the second week of September.
By the 10th of August, Sockeye Salmon fishing slips off, but Silver, Chum and Pinks are in full force. During this period we offer excellent fly fishing using egg sucking leaches, pink bunny flies, popcycles, glow bugs and egg patterns. Spin fishing is also productive using #2-#5 spinners and eggs.
September first is the beginning of premier Rainbow Trout fishing. The Rainbows really gain weight during this time, and you can fly or spin fish using glow bugs, beads, flesh flies and egg patterns.