Before you arrive
Going to Gustavus.
Your days on the water
An eight-hour day, more or less.
Your first day of fishing begins the morning after you arrive, with breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and lines in the water shortly after. A typical day runs about eight hours — roughly 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 or 4:00 p.m.
On departure day, fishing wraps earlier, usually by noon, to leave time for processing, packing, and getting you and your fish boxes to the airport without a rush.
If you've added the Glacier Bay day tour, pickup at the Bartlett Cove dock is at 3:30 p.m.
Fishing licenses
Buy online before you travel.
A 7-day non-resident license covers most guests. If you're fishing May through July, add a 7-day non-resident King Salmon Stamp.
Buy through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game online store — choose Buy Licenses & Tags, then Enter Store. Shopping as a guest is fine.
Getting to Gustavus
By way of Juneau.
Most guests connect through Juneau. During peak summer, Alaska Airlines runs direct service to Gustavus (GST).
In the shoulder season — before June 1 or after early September — or when flying regional, plan on roughly $245 per person each way, with 50 pounds of luggage included and about $1 per pound beyond that. Budget around $650 for round-trip regional service as a safe estimate.
Regional service runs daily on Alaska Seaplanes — call (907) 789-3331 or book online for a better rate.
Confirm current fares and schedules with the carrier — they shift seasonally.
An overnight in Juneau
Three places that hold your fish.
If you overnight in Juneau on either end, these hotels offer a freezer for your fish and a free airport shuttle.
Best Western Country Lane Inn
Walk-in freezer, free shuttle. $20 per box to keep frozen.
(888) 781-5005About Gustavus and the lodge
It's a small place.
Gustavus is a small, remote community. Cash, supplies, and medications are limited, so bring what you'll need.
Alcohol. The Snug Harbor liquor store is open Monday through Saturday. For something on a Sunday or Monday boat day, call Josh ahead.
Connectivity. Cell service is available; the lodge has Wi-Fi and TV.
Comforts. Washer and dryer are available for your use.
Getting around. Local transportation is included.
A word on gratuity
At your discretion.
Our captains, chef, and crew work their tails off to make sure you have a phenomenal week. Gratuity is always appreciated and entirely at your discretion. For recommended amounts, just ask Josh — he's happy to walk you through it.
One practical note — cash isn't readily available in Gustavus, so plan to bring what you'd like to have on hand.
What to bring
A practical packing list.
Pack for cool, often wet weather. Layers do most of the work. The lodge supplies the heavy-duty rain gear and the boots — you don't need to fly with those.
Clothing & layers
- Three pairs of warm pants
- Two or three sweaters or zip-up fleece
- Three or four T-shirts (long and short sleeve)
- Thermal base layer
- Plenty of socks — thin liners under a heavier pair
- Waterproof light jacket
- Water- and wind-resistant layer that covers face and neck
- Indoor shoes for the lodge
What the lodge provides
- Industrial-grade rain gear — coats and pants
- Rubber boots for the boat, with boot dryers in every cabin
- All saltwater tackle, bait, and your captain or guide
- Washer, dryer, and detergent
- Wi-Fi, internet TV, and an in-lodge cellular signal booster
Personal essentials
- Toiletries
- Camera with Ziplock bags
- Sunglasses and sunblock
- Motion-sickness medication (patches work best but need a prescription)
- Personal medications
- Cash for the week
- Fishing license and King Salmon Stamp
River fishing
(Mid-August through mid-September)
- Waders and wader boots
- A backpack to carry your catch from remote river locations
- Loaner freshwater spin-cast rods available
- Call Josh for the current spinner tip
Dietary needs. We accommodate straightforward needs. Bring extra of anything highly restrictive or hard to source — perishables come from Juneau, dried goods are barged from Seattle, and ordered items can take two to three weeks. A little advance notice helps. Call Josh.
Downloads
Take it with you.
Both of these are also on the page above, printed and brand-styled for easy reference.
Plan your stay
Check availability.
Seasons typically book several months in advance. We answer every inquiry by hand — usually within a day.