a person wearing waders stands in a river holding a large silvery sheefish with both hands

The two main rivers on the refuge are the Selawik and Kobuk, with numerous tributaries and sloughs. There are also 22,000 ponds and lakes and two large river deltas. The primary fishing opportunities are for sheefish (inconnu), chum salmon (on the Kobuk only), burbot, grayling and northern pike. Sheefish weighing 40-50 pounds are not uncommon.  Fishing with rod and reel is best during the open water months. There are no developed fishing facilities on the refuge.

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