The Iliamna River is a freestone river in Alaska, listed as Catch and release by Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish.
1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish lists 1 species.
Iliamna River is a freestone river in Alaska.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Iliamna River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Iliamna River with 1 USGS gauge.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Iliamna River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Tazimina RiverThe Kvichak River at Igiugig, Alaska. Photo: United States Senate - Office of Lisa Murkowski, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Tazimina River.
Alaska · about 25 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Copper RiverThe Brooks River from a Katmai National Park and Preserve patrol flight, February 2015. Photo: Katmai National Park and Preserve, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Copper River.
Alaska · about 26 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Iliamna LakeWindfall Lake in winter below the Coast Range, near Juneau, Alaska. Photo: Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Iliamna Lake.
Alaska · about 46 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Upper Talarik CreekThe Naknek River from a Katmai National Park and Preserve patrol flight, February 2015. Photo: Katmai National Park and Preserve, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Upper Talarik Creek.
Alaska · about 48 mi
Fly-fishing onlyRepresentative photo · not Moraine CreekAlaska · about 57 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Lower Talarik CreekDip-netters at the mouth of the Kasilof River, Alaska, summer 2011 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Photo: USFWSAlaska, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lower Talarik Creek.
Alaska · about 59 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the ADF&G Southwest sport fishing regulations, Bristol Bay: catch-and-release for rainbow/steelhead or cutthroat trout, Arctic char/Dolly Varden, lake trout or Arctic grayling list (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, read 2026-10-23). All waters with this designation
Measured from the National Hydrography Dataset (large scale) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
6.3 of 32.1 mi on public land
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
No guide within 40 miles yet.
No shop nearby yet.
The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.
Listed by the state agency
Species guide
An angler's first Arctic char on a fly, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge wilderness, Alaska (photographer Jeffrey Brooks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Alaska), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Species guide
A pre-spawning male Dolly Varden from the Canning River, Alaska (Randy Brown, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Alaska), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.
No hub within 40 miles
Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.
At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.
Like the Iliamna River? Same fish, overseas.
Lake or reservoirLake Bohinj in autumn. Photo: Dreamy Pixel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not TanaelvaThe River Etive in Glen Etive, Scottish Highlands. Photo: Alan O'Dowd, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Tanaelva.
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not GeirlandsáThe Eystri-Rangá from the last bridge before the sea. Photo: Matthias Rojahn, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Geirlandsá.
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not AltaelvaMorning fog on the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park. Photo: Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Altaelva.
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not VatnsdalsáThe Blanda in Blönduós. Photo: Alexander Grebenkov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Vatnsdalsá.
Southern seasons open while ours close.
Flagship waterPenstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río PetrohuéThe Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago LlanquihueThe Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.
Lake or reservoir
Flagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura RiverThe Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.
Flagship waterGreat Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A wade-fishing checklist for big western trout rivers: a 9 ft 5–6 weight outfit, nymph, dry and streamer setups, waders, boots and a wading staff, with estimated prices by tier and where to buy.
9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Iliamna River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge ILIAMNA R NR PEDRO BAY AK. Water type is our own classification.
Caution: High water: fish the edges; wading risky
At ILIAMNA R NR PEDRO BAY AK (USGS 15300300) Provisional USGS data
USGS 15300300 · NWS ILRA2
What the agencies suggest
During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocitiesPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lakePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 2:30 PM AKST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 3:30 PM AKDT to Nov 5, 2:30 PM AKST; ranging 1,040 to 3,360 ft³/s; latest 1,350 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Water temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM AKST | 1,350 | 58.9 | 39.4 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM AKST | 1,370 | 58.9 | 39.2 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM AKST | 1,370 | 58.9 | 39 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM AKST | 1,390 | 59 | 39 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM AKST | 1,400 | 59 | 38.8 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM AKST | 1,420 | 59 | 38.8 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM AKST | 1,430 | 59 | 38.8 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM AKST | 1,460 | 59.1 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM AKST | 1,490 | 59.1 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM AKST | 1,510 | 59.2 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM AKST | 1,550 | 59.2 | 38.8 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM AKST | 1,580 | 59.3 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM AKST | 1,630 | 59.4 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM AKST | 1,670 | 59.4 | 38.7 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM AKST | 1,720 | 59.5 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM AKST | 1,770 | 59.6 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM AKST | 1,820 | 59.7 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM AKST | 1,840 | 59.7 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM AKST | 1,810 | 59.7 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM AKST | 1,720 | 59.5 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM AKST | 1,590 | 59.3 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM AKST | 1,460 | 59.1 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM AKST | 1,340 | 58.9 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM AKST | 1,240 | 58.7 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM AKST | 1,160 | 58.5 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM AKST | 1,110 | 58.4 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM AKST | 1,080 | 58.4 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM AKST | 1,060 | 58.3 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM AKST | 1,050 | 58.3 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM AKST | 1,050 | 58.3 | 38.8 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM AKST | 1,050 | 58.3 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM AKST | 1,040 | 58.3 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM AKST | 1,060 | 58.4 | 39 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM AKST | 1,070 | 58.4 | 39.2 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM AKST | 1,070 | 58.4 | 39.4 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM AKST | 1,080 | 58.4 | 39.6 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM AKST | 1,080 | 58.4 | 39.7 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM AKST | 1,090 | 58.4 | 39.9 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM AKST | 1,100 | 58.4 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM AKST | 1,090 | 58.4 | 40.1 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM AKST | 1,100 | 58.4 | 40.1 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM AKST | 1,110 | 58.4 | 40.1 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM AKST | 1,110 | 58.4 | 40.1 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM AKST | 1,100 | 58.4 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM AKST | 1,100 | 58.4 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM AKST | 1,120 | 58.5 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM AKST | 1,120 | 58.5 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM AKST | 1,120 | 58.5 | 39.9 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM AKST | 1,110 | 58.4 | 39.7 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM AKST | 1,120 | 58.5 | 39.6 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM AKST | 1,140 | 58.5 | 39.4 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM AKST | 1,160 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM AKST | 1,170 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM AKST | 1,170 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM AKST | 1,190 | 58.6 | 38.8 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 38.8 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM AKST | 1,190 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM AKST | 1,170 | 58.6 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM AKST | 1,160 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM AKST | 1,160 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM AKST | 1,140 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM AKST | 1,160 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM AKST | 1,140 | 58.5 | 39 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM AKST | 1,150 | 58.5 | 38.7 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM AKST | 1,170 | 58.6 | 38.7 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 38.5 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM AKST | 1,150 | 58.5 | 38.5 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM AKST | 1,180 | 58.6 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM AKST | 1,190 | 58.6 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM AKST | 1,210 | 58.6 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM AKST | 1,220 | 58.6 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM AKST | 1,230 | 58.7 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM AKST | 1,230 | 58.7 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM AKST | 1,250 | 58.7 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM AKST | 1,260 | 58.7 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM AKST | 1,280 | 58.8 | 38.3 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM AKST | 1,290 | 58.8 | 38.5 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM AKST | 1,290 | 58.8 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM AKST | 1,320 | 58.8 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM AKST | 1,330 | 58.8 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM AKST | 1,340 | 58.9 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM AKST | 1,350 | 58.9 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM AKST | 1,370 | 58.9 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM AKST | 1,380 | 58.9 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM AKST | 1,400 | 59 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM AKST | 1,420 | 59 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM AKST | 1,440 | 59 | 38.7 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM AKST | 1,460 | 59.1 | 38.5 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM AKST | 1,470 | 59.1 | 38.3 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM AKST | 1,490 | 59.1 | 38.3 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM AKST | 1,500 | 59.1 | 38.3 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM AKST | 1,510 | 59.2 | 38.5 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM AKST | 1,520 | 59.2 | 38.8 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM AKST | 1,530 | 59.2 | 39 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM AKST | 1,530 | 59.2 | 39.2 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM AKST | 1,540 | 59.2 | 39.2 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM AKST | 1,550 | 59.2 | 39.4 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM AKST | 1,560 | 59.2 | 39.4 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM AKST | 1,560 | 59.3 | 39.6 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM AKST | 1,560 | 59.3 | 39.6 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM AKDT | 1,550 | 59.2 | 39.6 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM AKDT | 1,540 | 59.2 | 39.7 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM AKDT | 1,550 | 59.2 | 39.7 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM AKDT | 1,560 | 59.3 | 39.9 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM AKDT | 1,570 | 59.3 | 39.9 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM AKDT | 1,580 | 59.3 | 39.9 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM AKDT | 1,580 | 59.3 | 40.1 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM AKDT | 1,600 | 59.3 | 40.1 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM AKDT | 1,610 | 59.3 | 40.3 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM AKDT | 1,630 | 59.4 | 40.1 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM AKDT | 1,640 | 59.4 | 39.9 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM AKDT | 1,670 | 59.4 | 39.6 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM AKDT | 1,690 | 59.5 | 39.4 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM AKDT | 1,710 | 59.5 | 39.2 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM AKDT | 1,740 | 59.5 | 39 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM AKDT | 1,760 | 59.6 | 39 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM AKDT | 1,790 | 59.6 | 39 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM AKDT | 1,820 | 59.7 | 39.2 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM AKDT | 1,850 | 59.7 | 39.2 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM AKDT | 1,890 | 59.8 | 39.2 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM AKDT | 1,920 | 59.8 | 39.4 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM AKDT | 1,960 | 59.9 | 39.4 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM AKDT | 1,990 | 60 | 39.4 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM AKDT | 2,030 | 60 | 39.4 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM AKDT | 2,060 | 60.1 | 39.6 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM AKDT | 2,100 | 60.1 | 39.6 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM AKDT | 2,140 | 60.2 | 39.4 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM AKDT | 2,200 | 60.3 | 39.4 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM AKDT | 2,250 | 60.3 | 39.4 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM AKDT | 2,340 | 60.5 | 39.2 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM AKDT | 2,400 | 60.6 | 39.2 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM AKDT | 2,500 | 60.7 | 39.2 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM AKDT | 2,610 | 60.9 | 39 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM AKDT | 2,710 | 61 | 39 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM AKDT | 2,820 | 61.2 | 39 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM AKDT | 2,950 | 61.3 | 39 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM AKDT | 3,080 | 61.5 | 39 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM AKDT | 3,180 | 61.6 | 39.2 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM AKDT | 3,290 | 61.8 | 39.4 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM AKDT | 3,350 | 61.8 | 39.6 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM AKDT | 3,360 | 61.9 | 39.7 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM AKDT | 3,320 | 61.8 | 39.9 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM AKDT | 3,180 | 61.6 | 39.9 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM AKDT | 2,970 | 61.4 | 40.1 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM AKDT | 2,820 | 61.1 | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM AKDT | 2,730 | 61 | 40.1 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM AKDT | 2,670 | 60.9 | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM AKDT | 2,620 | 60.9 | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM AKDT | 2,540 | 60.8 | 40.3 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM AKDT | 2,450 | 60.6 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM AKDT | 2,330 | 60.5 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM AKDT | 2,120 | 60.2 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM AKDT | 1,930 | 59.9 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 8:30 PM AKDT | 1,790 | 59.6 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 7:30 PM AKDT | 1,620 | 59.4 | 40.3 |
| Oct 29, 6:30 PM AKDT | 1,540 | 59.2 | 40.1 |
| Oct 29, 5:30 PM AKDT | 1,460 | 59.1 | 40.1 |
| Oct 29, 4:30 PM AKDT | 1,400 | 59 | 39.9 |
| Oct 29, 3:30 PM AKDT | 1,350 | 58.9 | 39.9 |
Normal for Nov 5: 286–743 ft³/s (middle half of 29 years of record). Now: 1,350 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 1,350 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 29 years of record (1997–2025): 10th 220, 25th 286, median 450, 75th 743, 90th 1,050 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 138 ft³/s, highest 8,000 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 16.4%, from 1,160 to 1,350 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 58.9 ft stage, 1,370 ft³/s at Nov 5, 1:30 PM AKST (NWS gauge ILRA2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
The agency list on file names no trout, salmon or steelhead here; these are the lines for coldwater fish if you are after them.
Federal guidance. Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Alaska rule:
Under the federal 68°F line. Water 39.4°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 39.4°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)Species the agency lists for Iliamna River: Arctic char/Dolly Varden.
Source: ADF&G Southwest sport fishing regulations, Bristol Bay: catch-and-release for rainbow/steelhead or cutthroat trout, Arctic char/Dolly Varden, lake trout or Arctic grayling (Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish).
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 16.4%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 29 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)Cold water. Water 39.4°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”
Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 2:59 PM AKST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Tazimina RiverThe Kvichak River at Igiugig, Alaska. Photo: United States Senate - Office of Lisa Murkowski, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Tazimina River.
Alaska · about 25 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Copper RiverThe Brooks River from a Katmai National Park and Preserve patrol flight, February 2015. Photo: Katmai National Park and Preserve, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Copper River.
Alaska · about 26 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Iliamna LakeWindfall Lake in winter below the Coast Range, near Juneau, Alaska. Photo: Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Iliamna Lake.
Alaska · about 46 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Upper Talarik CreekThe Naknek River from a Katmai National Park and Preserve patrol flight, February 2015. Photo: Katmai National Park and Preserve, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Upper Talarik Creek.
Alaska · about 48 mi
Fly-fishing onlyRepresentative photo · not Moraine CreekAlaska · about 57 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Lower Talarik CreekDip-netters at the mouth of the Kasilof River, Alaska, summer 2011 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Photo: USFWSAlaska, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lower Talarik Creek.
Alaska · about 59 mi
Pedro Bay, Alaska
Fishing lodge · 2.4 mi
Lake and Peninsula, Alaska
Fishing lodge · 9.7 mi
