About
Crystal Creek Lodge is an Alaska Fishing and Adventure Lodge. Please scroll down through this page to learn more.
Nestled just 5 miles east of King Salmon, Alaska, along the scenic Naknek River, Crystal Creek Lodge stands as a premier destination for Bristol Bay fishing and adventure. Renowned as an Orvis Endorsed Lodge, we take pride in our exceptional fishing, top-notch facilities, and unwavering commitment to service excellence. Our guided field program offers a diverse array of experiences, inviting guests to angle for rainbow trout, char, grayling, and salmon. Whether casting a line in the Naknek River or embarking on a seaplane adventure to explore remote waterways, the possibilities are endless.
For those seeking a break from fishing, our lodge offers a wealth of sightseeing and wildlife viewing opportunities. From scenic hikes to wildlife excursions, our Adventure page has all the details. Explore the wonders of Alaska’s wilderness with us at Crystal Creek Lodge.
Sample Trip
Daily Schedule – Alaska Fishing Trip or Alaska Adventure Trip
Each evening at the lodge, a daily schedule is created by our Head Guide, which considers current fishing, water, wildlife availability, weather conditions, and any guest requests. The schedule is posted after dinner when our guides meet with each guest for a briefing on the next day’s activities and to discuss equipment needs.
Breakfast begins at 6:00 am, with departures from the lodge by aircraft or watercraft beginning at 7:00 am from the dock. Schedules are flexible, but most guests return by 6:00 pm. Dinner is served at 7:30 pm.
Weekly Schedule
A sample itinerary for a guest seeking a full week of Fishing and Adventure might include the following: Upon arrival on Sunday, guests have the option to arrive either at 3:00 pm or 6:00 pm. They will then be transferred from the airport to the lodge, where they will be shown to their room and meet with the head guide. Afterward, they will be equipped with licenses, waders, and tackle before meeting with their guide for the upcoming activities. The day will conclude with dinner at the lodge.
For those looking to maximize their time on the water, there is the option to arrive early in the morning on Sunday and enjoy a guided fishing day on the Naknek River. Additional costs apply for this service. Alternatively, guests may also request evening fishing with their guide from 9:00 to 11:00 PM, again with additional costs. Further details can be found under Reservations.
All trips require double occupancy/participation, and the scheduling of activities relies on guest participation in increments of two, unless alternative arrangements are possible. In essence, two guests traveling together must coordinate their daily activities unless they opt to swap with another pair of guests at the lodge or unless exceptional circumstances allow for different scheduling. Guests have the option to fish for the entire week or intersperse fishing with a mix of adventure, wildlife viewing or hunting activities.
Sample schedule
Day 1: Arrive late afternoon, check in, be shown to a room, receive a tour get equipped, and meet with the head guide to outline desired activities for the upcoming week before dinner. (Extra cost option: arrive early in the morning and fish a full day on the Naknek River.)
Day 2: Katmai National Park: fly to a small stream to walk and wade fish for trout and char
Day 3: Fly to a small stream in Katmai Preserve to raft a river and fish for trout and char
Day 4: Fish the Naknek River for salmon or trout
Day 5: Fly to a river near tidal water to fish for salmon arriving on the tides
Day 6: Becharof National Wildlife Refuge: fly to a small stream to walk and wade fish for char and grayling
Day 7: Repeat a favorite day or embark upon a new adventure elsewhere.
Sunday of departure: Depart the lodge at 8:00 am after breakfast to meet the morning flight to Anchorage
Customization of your Alaska fishing trip is of the utmost importance to us, and there are many ways to customize your trip. Some guests like to fish the entire week, or fish for a specific type of fish or technique of fishing, some like to mix hunting or other activities with fishing.
A variety of guided activities
Upon arrival, you will be offered a variety of guided activities from which to choose for your days afield. Likewise, all activities are carefully designed to be comprehensive and entertaining. These fishing and adventure activities include:
- Fly Fishing for all species of fish
- Trolling or spin casting for salmon
- Wildlife viewing for bears, caribou, walruses, marine mammals and birds
- Hikes in nearby Katmai National Park, and the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
- Beachcombing hikes on nearby seashores
- Kayaking on the Naknek River in the Katmai National Park section
- Wing shooting for ptarmigan or ducks (in season)
Hosts
Our mission statement is: “Inspirational Alaskan Adventure, Exceptional Hospitality”. We and the staff are grateful to you, our guest, for supporting the life we love through your being our guest at Crystal Creek Lodge. We pledge to demonstrate that gratitude by sharing with you an inspired fishing adventure at one of the most magnificent places on earth. Here are brief biographies of us, your hosts:
Meet your Hosts
Dan wears many hats at Crystal Creek Lodge, serving as owner, manager, chief bottle washer, poet, philosopher, and humorist (albeit a bad one). He oversees operations, hosts guests, flies one of the aircraft, and guides at the lodge. Originally hailing from Minnesota, Dan’s passion for the outdoors began at a young age, leading him to obtain his college degree from the University of Minnesota. In 1988, he played a pivotal role in building the original Crystal Creek Lodge and started guiding in the Bristol Bay Area of western Alaska. He describes his journey as a “summer adventure” that evolved into a life’s work.
Recognized for his expertise, Dan received the Orvis Endorsed Guide of the Year award in 1993 and holds a license as a U.S. Coast Guard Captain. With over 8500 hours of flight time, Dan is a seasoned commercial pilot, navigating float and ski aircraft across Alaska’s diverse terrain. As the lead pilot overseeing daily flight operations, he often joins guests in the field, sharing his knowledge and love for the Alaska wilderness. Most importantly, Dan acquired Crystal Creek Lodge in 1995 and has since managed it with dedication. During the off-season, he resides in Wasilla, Alaska, with his wife, Lynnette Michels.
Alex and Heather Oberholtzer
Alex and Heather stand with Dan as owners and the lodge managers, managing our staff, daily field schedule, and the reservation process. Heather grew up in Pennsylvania, Alex in Ohio, where they met in college, and have worked at Crystal Creek Lodge since 2001. They became partners of the Lodge in 2014.
As one of the Beaver pilots, Alex is also a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and one of our most experienced guides. Additionally, Alex oversees the daily operations of the guide staff and field program.
Alex and Heather have three beautiful children. The children, Lexi, William, and Samson, can be found around the lodge, helping wherever needed. William hopes to become a bush pilot, Lexi enjoys all things culinary, and Samson finds great joy in all things fishing.
Aircraft & Equipment
In a region of Alaska with tens of thousands of square miles of wilderness, having the right aircraft & equipment for the job is the key to access. Taking care of that equipment is the key to our guest’s enjoyment and safety.
Getting there is a big part of the adventure. Therefore, as an Alaska Fishing and Adventure Lodge, we operate a fleet of four DeHavilland Beaver aircraft equipped with either floats or wheels. That is four aircraft and 24 passenger seats to serve our guest capacity of 16. Also, we operate a fleet of 20 river boats at the lodge or remote fly-in locations to deliver our guests to their daily adventure destinations.
Aircraft
The Crystal Creek Lodge aircraft have all been carefully restored and are meticulously maintained. They are some of the finest examples of the DeHavilland Beaver flying. Their qualities go way deeper than paint and interior, as they undergo thorough annual inspections & constant improvements during the winter months and receive inspections throughout the summer season by our on-site mechanic. Our continued maintenance and improvements are far beyond industry standards and adds a huge plus to your safety and trip versatility.
More on our Aircraft
The Crystal Creek Lodge aircraft have all been carefully restored and are meticulously maintained. They are some of the finest examples of the DeHavilland Beaver flying. Their qualities go way deeper than paint and interior, as they undergo thorough annual inspections & constant improvements during the winter months and receive inspections throughout the summer season by our on-site mechanic. No reasonable expense is spared towards the interest of providing safe, airworthy aircraft. This is an extremely important consideration on our guest’s behalf. All of our Beavers have a window seat and voice-operated intercoms for our guests.
Dan Michels, the owner and operator, is also one of our skilled pilots. With extensive experience flying in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska since 1988, Dan takes a hands-on approach by personally selecting, training, and supervising three additional pilots on staff. He ensures their operations run smoothly daily.
The DeHavilland Beaver is a classic bush airplane and an iconic symbol of northern wilderness adventure. The Beaver was designed in Canada in 1946 and 1,692 were manufactured there until 1967. That approximately one thousand are still flying is a testament to their durability and desirability as a bush airplane. A remarkably well-documented history of the Beaver is available at www.dhc-2.com.
The Crystal Creek Lodge Beavers are serial numbers 158, 602, 2000SC, and 1601. Lodge Beavers SN 158 and SN 1601 are painted to match their original factory colors. Lodge Beaver 602 was originally a US Army aircraft. Rather than paint it olive drab we decided to paint it to match the first paint of the original prototype Beaver, serial number 1.
Watercraft
A fleet of eight river boats are ready at the Lodge dock. The boats allow our guests access to the Naknek River in the event of inclement weather delaying fly-outs or if outstanding fishing conditions are available on the Naknek River. We also have 12 boats stationed at various remote rivers to provide transportation after flying in.
More on our Watercraft
All Crystal Creek Lodge guides are licensed U.S. Coast Guard captains and accordingly, they maintain the boats to Coast Guard safety standards.
Our waterwater allows us to access a variety of lakes and streams.
Rods, Reels, Tackle and Waders
We have over 85 of Orvis’ first-quality fly rods, reels, and lines for guest use. They are in the most popular sizes of 6, 8 and 10 weight. We also have a complete selection of spinning rods, king salmon casting rods, and reels, and all flies, lures, and terminal tackle available for guest use at no extra cost. Our guides are fully equipped to take care of our guests’ equipment needs under any circumstance encountered.
More on Rods, Reels, Tackle & Waders
We have an extensive selection of first-quality Orvis waders and wading boots, in the most common sizes, for guest use at no extra cost. Please call if you have questions as to whether your sizes will be available.
NOTE: Felt-soled wading boots are illegal in the State of Alaska. Carbide-studded soles are prohibited at Crystal Creek Lodge due to their ability to quickly and extensively cause damage to floors, walkways, docks, boats, and aircraft surfaces. The vast majority of our rivers and streams are fine gravel and sand bottomed so thus carbides are not required. Bring a wading staff if you feel to need one.
Remote Camps
Picture yourself casting dry flies to rising grayling against the backdrop of a mesmerizing midnight sunset. Envision a tranquil morning spent savoring coffee in the untamed wilderness of Alaska, followed by the exhilarating thrill of hooking into mighty king salmon, their raw power bending your rod. The tales you’ll bring back home will be nothing short of extraordinary. At Crystal Creek Lodge, we present two exclusive remote camp options for your next Alaskan escapade. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountains, lush boreal forests, expansive tundra, and the vast sea, our remote bush camps offer unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in intimate fishing experiences amid Alaska’s pristine wilderness. If you’re passionate about the outdoors and crave a deeper connection with nature, reach out to us, and we’ll tailor a remote camp adventure to suit your schedule.
More details on Remote Camps
During their stay, guests have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Fishing and Adventure by exploring one of our three remote camp destinations. It’s essential to plan ahead for these excursions, as visits to the camps must be scheduled in advance by guests. These experiences are best suited for those seeking an authentic rugged wilderness adventure and are prepared to trade the comforts of the lodge for a night under the stars. Each camp provides basic amenities and can accommodate a maximum of four guests per night, based on the order of guest requests.
Options:
Nushagak River Tent Camp
June 15-July 15
Fish for king salmon on the Mighty Nushagak River, home of the largest run of kings in the world. This camp features:
- Immediate beach or boat river fishing for salmon
- The greatest wild king salmon run in the world
- Wood-floored, all-weather tents for day use only
- Screened outdoor privy
Ugashik Narrows Cabin
June 10-October 10
Fish for dolly varden, Arctic char, lake trout, and grayling at the Ugashik Narrows, home of the Alaska State record grayling. Also, salmon are available for some weeks. This camp features:
- Immediate walk and wade stream fishing
- Incredible scenery
- Insulated and heated cabin
- Bunks and sleeping bags
- Food and beverages are prepared by chefs at the lodge and served by a guide at the camp
- No shower
- Screened outdoor privy and indoor flush toilet
Cinder River Salmon Camp
June 10-October 10
Fish for king, sockeye, and coho salmon in a small, tidal river. This camp features:
- Short access walk and wade stream fishing
- Incredible scenery, including the Alaska Peninsula Mountains and multiple dormant volcanos
- No overnight guest facilities, but an insulated and heated cabin for warming up
- Shallow drive boats and Argo track UTV for longer-range mobility
- World-class duck and goose hunting in September and October
STILL THE VERY BEST!
Frisky silvers, gorgeous rainbows, bears grabbing salmon close enough to keep our heads swiveling from our rods to their eyes, flights across the stunning tundra, bear cubs frolicking on the beach, belugas, seals, eagles, and a team of guides and pilots clearly the best in the business. Chef Brian’s cuisine — double desserts included — filled as many pages in my journal as the days’ fishing. Above all, Alaska continues to amaze us and our time at Crystal Creek is always filled with laughter and delight.