Through 20 years of hard work, determination, and attention to detail, Terry Johnson has grown Salmon Catcher Lodge from the ground up. In his quest to fulfill a dream, Terry built one cabin in 2001 and has since grown the lodge to a highly reputable and profitable 50+ client operation. Terry currently owns the lodge with his wife, Angie, and their kids. They each take an active role in the daily tasks at Salmon Catcher Lodge.

Terry has the utmost respect for our servicemen and women along with those in need and has personally hosted 240 injured veterans, police officers, and children with life threatening diseases over the past 14 years. He also offers substantial discounts to first responders and active-duty members as he strongly believes in supporting the men and women who protect our country. Terry’s generosity has totaled over $600,000 to date in free and discounted trips.

While building Salmon Catcher into an industry-leading lodge, Terry worked for UPS Airlines as a Boeing 767 Captain and International Flight Instructor for 30 years.

Main Lodge and Dining Area

• 2368 sq ft

Main Lodge Living Quarters

Moose Pass 1
• Kitchenette
• Sleeps up to 4

Moose Pass 2
• Kitchenette
• Sleeps up to 4

Moose Pass 3
• Kitchenette
• Sleeps up to 4

Caribou Crossing

• 2016 sq ft
• Full Kitchen
• Jacuzzi Tub
• 3 bedrooms
• Sleeps 8-10

Mt McKinley

• 2352 sq ft
• 3-Story Triplex
• Full Kitchen on each level
• 9 Bedrooms
• Sleeps up to 33

Captains Quarters

• 1344 sq ft
• Full Kitchen
• Jacuzzi Tub
• 3 Bedrooms
• Sleeps 8-9

Eagle’s Nest

• 768 sq ft
• Full Kitchen
• Sleeps 5-7

Johnson’s Landing

• 480 sq ft
• Full Kitchen
• Sleeps up to 3

Chef’s Quarters

• 512 sq ft
• Full Kitchen
• Sleeps up to 3

Sauna/Fitness Room

• 896 sq ft
• 20-person sauna
• 8-person hot tub
• Exercise Equipment
• Massage chairs

Office, Shop, Fish Processing Building

• Fishing rods and tackle
• Waders
• Coolers
• Flash freezer
• Deep freezers
• Commercial grade vacuum sealer
• Tools
• Extra appliances
• Lawn care equipment

Salmon Catcher Lodge capitalizes on many of the best fisheries in Alaska. By contracting with the premier charter companies and guides in the region, Salmon Catcher Lodge has built one of the top reputations in the industry.

Kenai River

The world famous Kenai River is a sportfishing mecca and home to the largest king salmon ever caught on rod and reel weighing in at 97 pounds. Located just a few miles from Salmon Catcher Lodge, the Kenai River offers some of the best sockeye salmon in all of Alaska and boasts large returns of silver salmon and pink salmon along with unparalleled numbers of trophy-sized rainbow trout and dolly varden.

Kasilof River

Known as the “little brother” to the Kenai River, the Kasilof River begins at Tustumena Lake, the largest Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, and flows west for 17 miles before draining into the Cook Inlet. The river supports king salmon, sockeye salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon and steelhead trout as well as large numbers of dolly varden and rainbow trout.

Russian River

The Russian River is a dynamic, 12-mile long river at the heart of one of the most prolific fisheries in Alaska. It offers impressive runs of both sockeye and silver salmon along with large numbers of both rainbow trout and dolly varden. This crystal clear river begins at Upper Russian Lake and winds its way through Lower Russian Lake until it empties into the Kenai River at the Kenai-Russian River Confluence.

Ninilchick River

The Ninilchik River is one of the crown jewel streams of the lower Kenai Peninsula and offers a sizable run of king salmon in the spring, silver salmon opportunities in the fall, and a prolific run of steelhead in both the fall and spring. The shallow, tea colored stream is a local favorite among serious anglers.

Fly Out Offerings:

Talon Air Service is located just 10 miles from Salmon Catcher Lodge and offers a number of fly-out options for the most adventurous and novice anglers alike. By utilizing a multitude of aircraft, including a turbine Cessna Caravan, turbine de Havilland Otter, turbine de Havilland Beaver, and a radial de Havilland Beaver, the ability to access even Alaska’s most remote regions is just a short drive away.

Big River Lakes

Undoubtedly one of the most popular fly-out destinations in Alaska, Big River Lakes offers something for everyone. The trip starts with a thrilling 30 minute flight across the Cook Inlet from Soldotna to Redoubt Bay. Eager anglers are met with stunning views of massive 10,000 ft volcanos, expansive glaciers, and endless views of the Alaska Range of mountains before they even land. Once on the water, endless opportunities at vast amounts of both sockeye and coho salmon await. Wolverine Creek, located on the northwest side of Big River Lake offers some of the best bear viewing in all of Alaska and a very popular destination for non-anglers.

Kustatan River

The Kustatan River is located across the Cook Inlet and directly west of Kenai. A short, 20 minute flight via floatplane puts anglers in one of the most productive coho salmon fisheries on the entire west side of the Cook Inlet. The shallow river is traversed via jet boat and fishing is mostly done with cured salmon eggs due to the extremely turbid water and the lack of visibility. When conditions are right and the water is clear, flies and spinners can also be used with great success.

Crescent Lake

Accessible via floatplane and only a 45 minute flight from Soldotna, Crescent Lake lies in the heart of the Chigmit Mountains and offers outstanding fishing and bear viewing opportunities for its visitors. Substantial amounts of sockeye and coho salmon run up the Crescent River each summer offering abundant opportunities for both experienced and novice anglers. Resident lake trout and arctic char are plentiful and brown and black bears travel the shoreline in search of their next meal. Crescent Lake is truly a spectacular and wild place.

Salmon Catcher Lodge capitalizes on many of the best fisheries in Alaska. By contracting with the best charter companies and guides in the region, Salmon Catcher Lodge has built one of the top reputations in the industry.

Cook Inlet

The Cook Inlet is home to a variety of saltwater game species including halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and salmon. Just a short 45 minute drive to Ninilchick or 90 minute drive to Homer puts anglers in some of the most accessible and predictable saltwater fishing in Alaska. The 200 mile long and 35 mile wide Cook Inlet holds one of the world’s healthiest and most productive halibut fisheries and offers spectacular views of the volcanoes Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine. In addition to fishing, these trips often include sightings of whales, otters, and other Alaskan marine life.

Prince William Sound

Located on the eastern side of the Kenai Mountain Range and a scenic two hour drive from Kenai, Seward offers anglers an opportunity to catch big halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and salmon all in one trip. These day trips depart from the Seward boat harbor in Resurrection Bay and travel into the Gulf of Alaska towards Montague Island. It’s not uncommon to see a multitude of marine life, including harbor seals, sea lions, and whales while on the water.

LOCAL HIKING TRAILS

The Johnson Pass, Resurrection Pass, and Russian Lakes-to-Resurrection River trails of the Kenai Peninsula make up Alaska's most developed trail system. Turn-of-the-century prospectors blazed these trails and carried millions of dollars of gold over them. The well-worn footpaths climb through forested valleys to open meadows shimmering with wildflowers and gem-colored lakes.

Russian River Falls

This wildlife sweet spot is worth a vis­it. The Russ­ian Lakes Trail begins off the access road to the Russ­ian Riv­er Camp­ground in Coop­er Land­ing, at mile­post 52 of the Ster­ling High­way. Get off the beat­en path, hike two miles to the falls and enjoy the imme­di­ate reward of spec­tac­u­lar salmon viewing.

Johnson Pass Trail

The 23-mile John­son Pass Trail offers hik­ers, back­pack­ers, and bik­ers a well-marked route through a lush pass in the Kenai Moun­tains — fea­tur­ing grad­ual climbs, two lakes full of trout, and spectacular mountain peaks.

Crescent Lake Trail

This trail is a good day hike for the whole fam­i­ly. It alter­nates between open mead­ows and forests and offers the option of tent camp­ing or stay­ing in Cres­cent Lake Cab­in. There are options for longer hikes and there is a lot of wildlife to be seen such as moose, goats, and bears.

Exit Glacier

Visitors can hike right up to Seward’s Exit Glac­i­er and feel the dense blue ice while lis­ten­ing to it crack­le. Walk the low­er trail to get a good pho­to in front of the glac­i­er face. Or, choose the more chal­leng­ing 7 mile round-trip Hard­ing Ice­field Trail. There is a short ranger-led walk dai­ly at 11am and 3pm, from Memo­r­i­al Day through Labor Day.

Summit Creek Trail

This mean­der­ing, sin­gle-track path leads to some of the Kenai Mountain’s most remote and frag­ile high coun­try. On a route once trekked by gold rush prospec­tors, this trail ascends from spruce for­est through the jun­gled zone of alders into a realm of sweep­ing tun­dra, with incred­i­ble views and pro­duc­tive berry pick­ing. Plus, the top of the nine-mile jour­ney ends in Res­ur­rec­tion Pass, about mid­way through the 39-mile Res­ur­rec­tion Pass Trail.

WATER VENTURES

Seward Kayaking

Paddling in Kenai Fjords can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By dipping your paddle into these waters, you're participating in the long history of human-powered travel along the Kenai Peninsula coast. You can experience the awe-inspiring power of a tidewater glacier, while dipping a hand into these frigid waters. And keep a sharp eye peeled for birds and marine mammals who call these food-rich waters their summer home.

Homer Kayaking

Located just a 90-minute drive from Salmon Catcher Lodge, Homer is the premier destination for sea kayaking in Kachemak Bay. Surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks, remote fjords, and abundant wildlife, kayakers of all skill levels have the opportunity to enjoy amazing views, wildlife, and adventure!

Kenai River Rafting

Fun and safe for all ages, a guided rafting river trip down the Upper Kenai River is a very popular trip! Cooper Landing is located just one hour from Salmon Catcher Lodge and is the launching point for a variety of rafting trips which offer a serene float with a few spirited, but safe rapids mixed in to add to the adventure. The float offers scenery and abundant wildlife surrounded by the spectacular Chugach Mountains.

Kenai Fjords Cruise

Full or half-day cruise options out of Seward give visitors up close views of Alaska’s towering glaciers, abundant marine wildlife, and stunning scenery. Just a two hour drive from Salmon Catcher Lodge and surrounded by steep mountain walls and glacier-carved fjords, Kenai Fjords National Park provides the perfect habitat for sea lions, sea otters, whales, mountain goats, bald eagles, puffins, and a vast number of seabirds. The Kenai Fjords National Park cruises offer some of the best whale watching opportunities in Alaska, with chances of seeing humpback whales, orca whales, gray whales, fin whales, and minke whales.

Traveling to Salmon Catcher Lodge is much easier than you might think. Most visitors arrive via Anchorage International Airport and rent a vehicle. The drive from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula is rated by National Geographic as one of the most amazing road trips. As you depart from Anchorage, your adventure begins along the scenic Turnagain Arm that was explored by Captain James Cook in 1778 while he was scouting the Northwest Passage.

The 3-hour drive to Salmon Catcher Lodge takes visitors along scenic Turnagain Arm, a tidal fjord-like extension of the upper Cook Inlet, and then through the Chugach Mountain passes, Kenai River headwaters, and eventually the boreal forest and coastline of the lower Kenai River.

Grant Aviation and Ravn Alaska offer dozens of direct flights from Anchorage International Airport to Kenai Airport each day via both De Havilland Dash 8 turbo jets and Cessna 208 Caravans. Flight time from Anchorage to Kenai is approximately 30 minutes from wheels up to wheels down. Car rental service is available at the Kenai Municipal Airport and Salmon Catcher Lodge is located only 8 miles away.

The Kenai Municipal Airport is also accessible via private jets and helicopters. It features a 7,855 ft asphalt runway, a 1980 ft gravel runway, a 4,600 ft water runway, and two asphalt helicopter pads.