Baranof Wilderness Lodge, Sitka

We just returned from Baranof Wilderness Lodge after a week-long stay with nine family members -- all adults and including our most experienced fisherman, my 78 year-old mother! The trip exceeded our expectations in every way. We came for the fishing and left with heavy boxes of fresh salmon, halibut, and rock fish, as hoped. But we were knocked out by the breathtakingly beautiful setting, complete with a quiet fish-filled bay visited by whales, otters, sea lions, and eagles, with the raging Sadie River and Baranof waterfall alongside. Another surprise was the range of experiences our hosts made available to us: salt water fishing (salmon, halibut, and others), fresh water river fishing for trout (fly and cast), crabbing, hiking to stunning Baranof and Sadie Lakes, kayaking in Warm Springs Bay, and beachcombing on Admiralty Island, where we made a short trip through a virgin forest to get an up-close view of a hidden waterfall. Our generous hosts, Mike and Sally, head up an energetic and competent team of top-notch guides, a first-rate chef, and expert facility staff. They (half-) jokingly call themselves “highly trained professionals” but this behind-the-scenes rigor is real: for example, the guides are “fish whisperers” with all the right hands-on boating and fishing moves, but also degrees in environmental science. The lodge consistently receives top state certifications for food and marine safety. Yet, the tone is friendly, upbeat, well-organized, and wildlife-conscious, and fun. They offer a fleet of clean and well-maintained boats, ample equipment, charming and comfortable accommodations, and delicious food. Once you return, you’ll miss many Baranof delights, like having your wake-up beverage delivered to your door, the roar of Sadie River lulling you to sleep, the hilarity of fighting an oversized halibut on the line, the view of Alpenglow on the fireside porch at sunset, and most of all, the people of Baranof Wilderness Lodge. We give this experience our highest possible endorsement.

I have enjoyed two trips to Mike Trotter's Baranof Wilderness Lodge. Each trip we have split the trip between the camp at Kelp Bay followed by a couple of nights at the main lodge. Splitting the trip, you have the opportunity fish salt water for salmon & halibut, stream fish for dolly varden and then hike to Baranof Lake and fish for cutthroat. The food at both the base camp and lodge is great, the guides are some of the best I've ever fished with and your hosts are the best. To top it off, virtually no bugs!