Karluk River
About
Wild steelhead and five species of Pacific salmon run the Karluk River through 24 miles of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge water. At 850 CFS average (optimal 300–2000), this Class I-II system drains Karluk Lake through three distinct fishing zones on Kodiak Island. The upper river below the lake outlet holds wild steelhead and sockeye salmon, while the middle section around the Portage sees sockeye and king salmon runs. Lower Karluk near the village targets silver salmon during fall runs. Established as refuge water in 1941, the Karluk flows through roadless country accessible primarily by floatplane. Alaska Department of Fish and Game designates it a Wild Steelhead Stream, and USGS gauge 15296600 tracks flows through Kodiak Island Borough. Kodiak Legends Lodge operates guided trips on the system.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.