Bristol Bay Area
Subsistence Fishing

Access

Bristol Bay cannot be accessed by road from outside of the area. Dillingham, King Salmon and Iliamna are the transportation hubs of the area with daily direct flights arriving from and travelling to Anchorage. Access to subsistence fishing locations in Bristol Bay is available by various means of transportation depending on the season and area accessed. Eastern Bristol Bay in the upper Alaska Peninsula area tends to have less reliable snow conditions in the winter for snowmobile travel. In those communities due to their year round versatility, ORV�s are the preferred method of transportation to subsistence fishing locations. In the remainder of Bristol Bay during the winter season, after freeze up and with sufficient snow cover, snowmobile access to ice fishing locations is preferred. During the time that waterways are free of ice, travel by skiff or boat is the best means of transportation. Travel in tidal areas during low tide can be limited in some areas because of exposed mud flats and sand bars. Tides also dictate when fish, especially salmon, will be available and catchable from set net sites. In some communities road access by motor vehicle to subsistence fishing locations is possible but might require a vehicle equipped with four wheel drive.