Beaver and Nome Creeks

The feel

The first 127 miles of the 281-mile Beaver Creek run through the White Mountains National Recreation Area, and the creek is a Wild and Scenic River. The fishing is for Arctic grayling, which take dry flies and nymphs such as mosquitoes, elk-hair caddis and mayflies, and small spinners, spoons or 1/8 oz leadheaded jigs if you fish spinning gear.

Nome Creek is the road-accessible tributary, and a BLM campground and a small boat and canoe access sit at the end of Nome Creek Road. Floaters start there and head down Beaver Creek. The first roughly 20 miles are shallow and braided, so boats often get lined across the bars. Farther down, lower Beaver Creek has little current, which is why most floaters fly out.

What to expect

Water and access

River water. 16 miles of Nome Creek can be reached from the 7-mile U.S. Creek Road at milepost 57.3 of the Steese Highway. Take U.S. Creek Road 7 miles, turn left, and follow Nome Creek Road about 12 miles to the BLM campground and the small boat and canoe access, then float 2.5 miles down Nome Creek to Beaver Creek.

Species and timing

Arctic grayling, May to September. Northern pike live in the slow water and sloughs of the lower reaches.

Methods and gear

For grayling, dry flies and nymphs, or small spinners, spoons and 1/8 oz leadheaded jigs. For pike, silver or gold spoons or spinners, surface lures and rubber fish patterns, with a steel leader.

Hazards

The first roughly 20 miles of Beaver Creek are shallow and braided, and floaters often have to line their boats across shallow bars.

Season and access

May to September. A typical float of about 100 to 107 miles ends at a gravel bar strip near Victoria Creek, with air charter pickup at river mile 113 arranged with operators in Fairbanks.

Mingo says

Plan this as a float rather than a roadside stop. Give yourself extra time in the shallow, braided first 20 miles.

Before you go

• Book an air charter from Fairbanks for the pickup at river mile 113.
• Pack a steel leader if you want to fish for pike in the lower reaches.
• Bring dry flies and nymphs, or small spinners and spoons, for grayling.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.