Quick Tips
- Plan your transportation and lodging options around the season and species you will be hunting
- Rain gear is a necessity
- Bear fences recommended for primitive camping
On The Ground
This long unit is located in southwestern Alaska and is home to Lake Iliamna and glacial Lake Clark. A wide range of terrain types can be found here as well as an even wider range of game to pursue. Good access options exist here but reaching the unit can take several legs of travel and tends to cost more than some of the other options in the state. Most of the hunting areas are accessed via float/bush plane or through the use of boats. Float hunting is also popular along the Chulitna River. The logistics of reaching this unit can be staggering the the planning and researching can be well worth it for the great trophy potential found here.
Reaching this unit can be more expensive than some of the other options in the state but the payout is generally large animals for most of the available species. Excellent fishing is found throughout the unit in both lakes and rivers.
Terrain
Like most of the surrounding areas, this unit sees a healthy mixture of large and widespread tidal flats and muskegs with steep and jutting mountain ranges that rise for several thousand feet off the valley floors. Vegetation cover can be extremely dense in most areas, especially around water sources. In most areas, treeline generally occurs around 1,500 feet in elevation and glassing and movement options can get a lot better here. Physically traversing the country can be difficult at all elevations due to vegetative cover and terrain steepness. A hunter's physical fitness can definitely play into success. The northern half of the unit above Iliamna Lake generally sees a large collection of steep mountain ridges and deep cut river drainages. The area south of the lake is largely comprised of rolling hill country muskegs with pocket ponds and river bottoms.
Roughly 8,702 square miles
66% Public land
Elevations range from 0-6,000 feet
Vegetation
Old-growth forest areas in the lower elevations areas will be largely comprised of Sitka Spruce and cedars, and dense creek and river bottoms chock full of alder, devils club, and other impenetrable ground covers. Gaining in elevation and climbing above treeline will generally reveal tundra covered hillsides with native grasses, wildflowers, and western hemlock. The muskegs areas will generally be comprised of alder, willow patches, dwarf birch and patches of old-growth timber. Small vantage points can greatly increase visibility in most areas but covering ground through thick vegetation can be a chore.
Access
Several small airstrips are found throughout the unit and in most communities. Once initially reaching the unit hunters will generally reach hunting areas through the use of float/bush planes or by the use of boats, sometimes both. Most of the remote areas will require the use of planes but many hunts can be conducted in the areas surrounding Lake Clark and Lake Iliamna. Hiking cross country can be challenging at times due to heavy vegetation cover in areas where muskegs and bogs are common. The Chulitna River is a popular float for hunters but arrangements to fly into Nikbuna lake will still need to be made.
Most hunters will enter the unit through Raven Air from Anchorage to King Salmon
DIY hunters heading directly to their hunting area can use air services from Anchorage
Camping and Lodging
Some modern lodging options are available at various lodges around the unit, primarily around Lake Clark and Lake Iliamna. With most of the country still being very remote most hunters will primitive camp either from base camps or by moving camp every day, particularly when float hunting. Heavy Brown/Grizzly Bear activity will be centered around salmon streams and the mouths of rivers, proper precautions should be taken when camping in these areas.
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