In June, July and August, temperatures can range from 40 degrees in the morning to 75 degrees as it warms up throughout the day. In September, by mid to late month, we typically start to see some freezing temperatures overnight with chilly mornings. The Cooper Landing and Sterling weather forecasts are generally pretty accurate for temperatures.
We suggest that you are ALWAYS prepared for rain, as it can show up at any time. You may luck out on a week of great weather or a mix of everything. We do all of our activities rain or shine – there is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices! Layering is key.
The fishing is good all season long starting from our opener, June 11th, to the end of our main season at the end of September.
There are certain times during that period when each species is fishing the best. Depending what you are looking to target will change when the “best fishing” is.
Here is a link to our month to month fishing time line (Calendar) which goes into detail of each month and what species we are targeting during that time frame.
For multi-day packages, we recommend booking at least 6-12 months out. Our busiest dates are from July 15 to August 15, so it’s good to secure your spot as early as possible.
For day fishing trips, it’s best to book 1-4 months out. If you are making a guide request or are counting on a specific date, the more time the better. For rafting, at least a week’s notice is ideal, but next day or same day trips can be available. If you have a large group or specific dates, then planning ahead is always preferable.
Last minute package bookings are always a possibility! We’ve had guests book last minute trips when they see a deal on flights, or when they get some unexpected vacation days. We also post cancellation dates on our Specials Page when spots open up.
Parking is available in front of our main building, near the big wooden sign. We have a busy property with vehicles, boats and trailers going through constantly! It is important to keep driveways and pull-throughs clear at all times. When you arrive, please check in with us in the office to make sure you are parked in an appropriate place. From there, we can direct you further, if necessary. If you are part of a large group, please car-pool if at all possible.
We do not have room for RVs. If you have an RV, you will need to pay to park at the Cooper Landing Boat Launch (the bridge). It is a 5-8 minute walk along the pedestrian path to Drifters. You may arrange in advance for a pick up from the boat launch, if our staffing allows. Please call our office for further details and instructions!
If you are interested in fishing or rafting or a package stay with us, you will need to consider how you will get to Cooper Landing from Seward or Whittier. Renting a car is the first option, or booking an All Inclusive Package (which includes transportation) is the second option. Be sure to take note of arrival times into port, as well as travel time needed so that you can make your activity on time. Rental cars are available in Seward and Whittier, although you may find it a better option to utilize your cruise transfer and rent a vehicle in Anchorage before coming down to Cooper Landing.
If you are arriving or departing from Whittier, the biggest thing you need to know is that there is only one way in and one way out of Whittier, via a tunnel that has timed entry/exit. We are approximately an hour and a half from Whittier, not including tunnel time. You can ENTER Whittier (Bear Valley to Whittier) on the half hour and EXIT Whittier (Whittier to Bear Valley) on the hour. Occasionally there are delays for trains or oversize equipment. Please account for this accordingly and allow extra time in your schedule.
Drifters Lodge has a strict NO PETS POLICY. We love our furry friends just as much as you do, but there are no pets allowed in the cabins or River House at any time. Overnight guests may not keep pets in their vehicles. We do not allow pets on our fishing, rafting trips or hiking trips.
We recommend that you bring water, a snack (or lunch and snacks for a full day trip) and appropriate (warm) layers for the weather. It is always cooler on the water, so dress warmly! It is easier to take off layers if you get too warm, which is better than being cold. A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera are also recommended. Bring a good rain jacket and rain pants if you have them. We can provide rain gear if you don’t have the appropriate layers. For fishing trips, you must have a fishing license. Some dry storage is available on the boat.
Fishing licenses are easily obtained online through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Short term licenses come in 1, 3, 7 and 14 day durations. If you are just fishing with us, then a one day license will suffice. If you are fishing multiple times throughout your trip, then you may consider a longer license. Unless you are specifically fishing for King Salmon, you DO NOT need a King stamp.
In most instances, a digital copy of your license (a screenshot saved on your phone) is sufficient, provided your license is signed. We do not need a copy of your license for our records, however, there may not be cell service on the river, so be sure you are squared away prior to your trip! Licenses can be purchased in advance for a future date.
For non residents under 16 years of age, and Alaska residents under 18 years of age, a free Harvest Record Card is required in lieu of a fishing license.
For fishing trips, your guide will call you the evening prior to your trip. During that call, they will go over a plan for the next day as well as confirm a meeting time and location. If they don’t connect with you during the initial call, they will leave a voicemail and also send a text message. If you have not heard anything from your guide by 7pm the night before your trip, please give us a call in the office so we can get you and your guide connected.
Our guides are patient and easy-going teachers who seamlessly incorporate instruction and fun facts throughout the trip. Many of them got hooked on fishing, rafting and the outdoors at a young age, too, so they know how meaningful those formative experiences can be in instilling a lifelong love and respect for the outdoors!
Generally speaking, full day fishing trips are appropriate for ages 12 and up. While we don’t have a strict minimum age to participate in any fishing trip, we’ve found that 6 to 8 years old is when kids start to get the most out of a half day experience. They are old enough to focus for the duration of the trip, and they have the motor skills and the ability to follow the guide’s instructions to fishing independently. If you have younger kids, we can discuss options to tailor the experience to their capabilities.
We recommend that you bring water, a snack and appropriate (warm) layers for the weather. It is always cooler on the water, so dress warmly! We provide rubber rain boots and splash gear (rain jacket and rain pants), if you do not have your own. We have all sizes of gear available to accommodate everyone. Life jackets are provided. The guide will have a dry bag on the raft which can store extra items as well.
Our 2 and 3 hour scenic rafting trips are great for all ages – generally ages 3 and up. We do sometimes recommend a private raft depending on the age(s) and make up of your family group. The trip is mellow, fun and splashy!
Rafting trips meet and depart from Drifters Lodge. We ask you to arrive about 15 minutes before your trip in order to park, complete waivers, use the restroom and get geared up. After your trip is complete, we will shuttle you from the take out back to Drifters.
We do our best to accommodate all needs and ability levels as safely as possible. Please call the office to discuss further options and suggestions!
It is customary to tip your fishing guide and gratuities are not included in the trip price. Typical gratuities range from $75-$100 per half day and $150-$200 per full day, per group/boat (not per angler).
For rafting or hiking trips, $5-$15 per person is a good baseline, depending on trip length and party size.
Cash is preferred or credit cards can be processed in the office.
For a-la-carte day trips:
Vac-sealing and freezing is not covered by the price of a day trip, but processors are plentiful and accessible. At the end of the fishing trip, your guide will filet your catch and give you the fish in a clean bag. Those filets can be dropped off at a local processor to be vacuum sealed and frozen. From there, you can make arrangements with the processor for freezer storage until your departure dates. Processors sell insulated boxes and can package the fish for you. Plan for at least one night of freezer storage before flying with your fish. It is not advisable to fish and fly on the same day because the meat won’t have time to fully freeze before transport. Processors can also arrange to ship your fish home via overnight service.
Most boat launches have either pit toilets or porta potties available for public use. While on the river, your guide can pull over at an appropriate place for you to visit mother nature when nature calls. Regulations request that no one goes to the bathroom from the boat, which is why your guide will make a stop at the shore. We practice Leave No Trace principles, so be sure not to leave any toilet paper or trash behind.
The nearest major airport is Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. It’s about 2 hours away from Drifters Lodge in Cooper Landing.
Unless you have booked an All-inclusive Package which covers transportation, you’ll need a rental car to get around. The Anchorage airport has all the usual rental company options (Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, etc.). TURO also has a large presence in Anchorage. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are readily available in Anchorage only.
It is customary to tip your fishing guide, as you spend the majority of your time with them! Typical gratuities range from $75-$100 per half day and $150-$200 per full day, per group/boat (not per angler). Most guests prefer to tip their guides each day as you may not fish with the same guide again. Cash is preferred or credit cards can be processed via the office and passed on to the guide.
In addition to your guides, many people work behind the scenes to keep Drifters Lodge running and help make your trip successful! From the office staff that helped plan your trip, to the chef that made your lunch, to the housekeepers that are in charge of your breakfast and accommodations, as well as the drivers that do our supply runs and help shuttle vehicles – gratuities are appreciated in acknowledgement of their service. At the end of your stay, you may leave cash directly to an individual or department, or include an amount with your final credit card check out.
There are two options for transporting fresh frozen fish back home: overnight shipping through FedEx or taking an insulated box on the plane as a piece of checked luggage.
For River Packages:
Vac-sealing and freezing is not included in the price of your package, but processors are plentiful and accessible and we can provide nearby recommendations. At the end of the fishing trip, your guide will filet your catch and give you the fish in a clean bag. Those filets can be dropped off at a local processor to be vacuum sealed and frozen. From there, you can make arrangements with the processor for freezer storage until your departure dates. Processors sell insulated boxes and can package the fish for you. Plan for at least one night of freezer storage before flying with your fish. It is not advisable to fish and fly on the same day because the meat won’t have time to fully freeze before transport. Processors can also arrange to ship your fish home via overnight service.
For Premium and All-inclusive Packages:
For our Premium and All-inclusive Package guests, all fish processing is covered. Each day, we will have your fish vacuum sealed and frozen. We will keep your fish in freezer storage for the duration of your stay. Near the end of your trip, we will make a plan for getting it home. It is ideal to plan for at least one night of freezing before flying with your fish. It is not advisable to fish and fly on the same day because the meat won’t have time to fully freeze before transport.
Most package guests take their fish with them at check-out. We will have your fish packed and ready in a TSA approved insulated box rated for 24-36 hours of cooling. You can then take the box on your flight as checked luggage. There is a freezer storage locker located at the Anchorage airport if you need to store your fish box overnight prior to flying.
If you decide to ship your fish instead, we will send it out through FedEx on your chosen date. Shipping is a good option if you are continuing your travels in Alaska after departing from Drifters Lodge and will not have access to cold storage. However, shipping is more expensive, costing $300-$350 on average per box depending on the weight.
Cell service can be spotty but is generally available along most of the highway corridor and in the communities throughout our area. 3G cell service is reliable here at the lodge, with AT&T and Verizon having the best signal. We also have guest wifi that is accessible throughout the property and in your lodging accommodations.
We provide all the fishing gear needed, so you can save the packing space! We have Patagonia and Simms waders and wading boots. Rods, reels, flys, and lures will be provided to accommodate the species you are targeting each day. We also can provide rain layers if you do not have your own.
You are more than welcome to bring your own gear if you would like. We recommend calling the office just to double check that your gear will be appropriate for your trips with us!
Our check-in time starts at 3pm. We ask that if you are flying on the day of your check-in, try to arrive at our lodge no later than 8pm so an office employee can get you checked in, show you around the property, and bring you to your cabin.
Our check-out time is 11am.
For overnight and package guests, we suggest the following:
For your day on the water, you should be prepared for all types of weather, including rain. Dressing in layers is key as you can take off or put on accordingly! We’ve found that it is best to wear base layers, leggings or hiking type pants under your waders. We suggest putting the following in your day pack or dry bag:
Drifters Lodge is a small, locally owned and operated fishing lodge with a long history of repeat guests and satisfied anglers. We have been in operation since 1998.
Drifters Lodge is permitted to operate on public lands under special use permits from the Chugach National Forest, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Alaska State Parks. Drifters Lodge is an equal opportunity provider.
© 2024 Drifters Lodge. All rights reserved.