Leader Creek Fisheries

Fishing boats on the bay

Short Summer Season - Big Results!

While there are other companies that provide a variety of different types of seafood, here at Leader Creek, we focus on Wild Alaskan Sockeye salmon and we do it right!

You will be working in a remote and special part of the world. Naknek, Alaska is a long way from anywhere and possesses a beauty all its own.

Jobs in the Spotlight

About Leader Creek Fisheries

Leader Creek Fisheries is a producer of wild Alaskan sockeye salmon products in Naknek, AK.  Our all-refrigerated fishing fleet was the first of its kind in Bristol Bay and will forever be one of the cornerstones of our quality-focused operation.  We specialize in producing premium fresh-frozen, boneless fillets, and every summer we invite approximately 400 highly motivated, hard-working men and women from across the country to come work at our shoreside plant and be a part of the Leader Creek family.  From our first-rate fishing fleet to our dedicated processing crew and everywhere in between, our ongoing commitment to enhancing quality year after year is what sets Leader Creek Fisheries apart from the rest.

The Employee Experience

Come experience Alaska and take part in the Bristol Bay salmon run!

Leader Creek Fisheries is a lead processor of quality wild and sustainable Sockeye Salmon. Airfare, room, and board are provided by the company, as well as a competitive wage with many hours of overtime and a safe environment. Unique perks such as Free Wi-Fi, couples housing, and the opportunity to meet new friends from around the country are available for our employees. Now accepting applications for the summer of 2023!

Perks of Leader Creek:

  • Airfare: Leader Creek will provide round trip transportation from your closest metropolitan airport or anywhere in Alaska to our plant located in Naknek, AK.
  • Housing: Room and board is provided at no cost.
  • Food: All meals and break food are provided by Leader Creek.
  • Pay: $18.06/hour regular time and $27.09/hour overtime! Lots of overtime available!
  • Additional opportunities for pay such as referral bonuses.
  • Overtime Hours: Earn $$ for tuition, a new car, or your next big travel adventure!
  • Summer Job: Salmon season runs from approximately June 15th- August 15th.
  • Giveaways: Take part to win swag and sought-after items to help you through the season.
  • Katmai National Park and Bear Preserve: See Alaskan Grizzles up close and personal! LCF will help arrange travel for interested employees.
  • Opportunities to Grow: Both professionally and personally! We offer the possibility to move up within our company.

Job duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Offloading product from vessels
  • Sorting, butchering, cleaning, cutting, filleting, trimming, and boxing various seafood products
  • Inspecting product
  • Operating plant machinery, a forklift or pallet jack
  • Preparing packaging materials
  • Loading product, boxes, pallets, or carts of product into or out of freezers or refrigerated vans
  • Guiding product into automated machinery
  • Cleaning or sanitizing the work area

What to expect:

Being a Salmon Processor is not easy work. When the plant is running at full capacity and 24h you will be expected to work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. You must have a strong work ethic, the discipline to get out of bed and get to work on time, and the desire to do the best you can each and every day. Some days you will be tired and have a bit of a cold; your muscles will ache and your feet will hurt. We need people who will work in spite of the discomfort. And while we do not need employees to arrive with any specific processing related skills, we do need those who can learn quickly and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

Pay:

Processors can expect to work up to 16 hours a day, seven days per week through the peak of our season. Putting in such a large number of hours (100+ per week) results in a large quantity of overtime hours. Overtime hours are where the money is at, and what makes working as a processor a great seasonal position. While there are no guarantees in the fish business, it has been our experience that employees who come prepared to work - and work hard when there is work - go away with good money. Payroll is processed Bi-Weekly.

Lots of fish = Lots of work
No fish = No work

In Alaska, employees are paid overtime after eight regular hours in a day, and after 40 regular hours in a week.

Qualified applicants must be:

  • 18+ years old.
  • Authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Willing and able to do this work, with or without reasonable accommodation:
    • Perform physical, standing work for up to 16 hours per day, seven days per week.
    • Possess visual acuity and tactile dexterity to perform processing tasks.
    • Process, touch, and be in close proximity of seafood products.
    • Demonstrate prompt and reliable attendance.
    • Work in cold, wet, loud plants with strong seafood odors.
    • Live and work in remote areas with limited access to medical attention.
    • Work safely around moving machinery, forklifts, vehicles, and elevated walkways.
    • Follow verbal and/or written directions.
    • Use hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders repetitively.
    • Physically evacuate the area in a swift manner in case of an emergency.
    • Safely lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Willing to live and work with a culturally diverse workforce, sharing bunkhouse rooms and communal restrooms.
  • Willing to follow all of the company’s policies including our Discrimination-Free and Harassment-Free Workplace policy.

Ideal Candidate

While we do not need employees to arrive with any specific processing related skills, we do need individuals who can learn quickly and who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. We're seeking adventurers who are up for a challenge, have a terrific work ethic and are ready to make lasting friends and have the experience of a lifetime!

Room and Board

Room and board are provided by Leader Creek free of charge. All housing is located on Leader Creek property, a short walk to the plant. Our rooms range in size, and house between 2 - 6 employees. We do have some housing for couples and large rooms for groups of friends available.

Leader Creek Fisheries provides all meals free of cost. Employees will receive three hot meals a day with plenty of healthy, wild, Alaskan salmon to eat, plus plenty of wonderful snacks for break food!

Employee Perks

In addition to free room and board, free meals, and free transportation, we also will provide your rain-gear, gloves, and safety equipment - pretty much everything you will need to work. In fact, we will even clean and fold your laundry once a week.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Our plant is located in Naknek, Alaska. There are no roads that connect Naknek to other parts of Alaska so a plane ride from Anchorage is the best option for getting here. In order to make the trip as easy as possible to our plant in Alaska, all we ask of employees is to show up at the Seattle, WA airport.  Leader Creek will pay for and make all the arrangements, including the connecting flight all the way to King Salmon, AK (our closest airport) and pick you up when you land. After you finish your season we will provide your airfare back to Seattle, or, for a modest change fee most airlines can change your ticket to give you time to explore different parts of Alaska. You will need to confirm with your airline regarding their ticket change policies.

For Fun

On site, you will likely see a bear and perhaps a fox; bald eagles are common. You will have time to walk along the river, see wildlife and watch fishermen at work.

Once the season comes to an end, you'll have the opportunity to visit Katmai National Park! After a quick seaplane ride from King Salmon, you'll have an entire day to explore this park, which is home to thousands of brown bears and other wildlife. Along with providing a packed lunch, Leader Creek will help facilitate your transfers to and from King Salmon.

How to Apply

For more information, and to apply, visit our website!


Contact Leader Creek Fisheries