however a primary reason for the park’s existence is to preserve salmon spawning areas. All five major salmon species breed in the park, with sockeye considered the most important for subsistence fisheries in the area. Other wildlife in the park include whitefish, black and brown bears, moose, caribou, wolverines, marmots, porcupines, otters and foxes. Both sport and subsistence hunting of large game is allowed in the park with proper permits. Lake and river systems The name of the park refers to two different lake systems within the park. The southern lake system eventually forms the Wood River, which flows into Bristol Bay, and the more northern Tikchik lakes empty into the Nuyakuk River, a tributary of the Nushagak River which also flows into Bristol Bay. The Wood River system of lakes are all directly connected to one another by streams, forming a water trail of over . The lakes of these two systems are large and deep, ranging from long and maximum depths of . A dozen of these lakes have over of surface area. There are rivers connecting the lake systems as long as , all within park boundaries. Lake Aleknagik Wood-Tikchik is one of only two state parks in Southwest Alaska. The other is Lake Aleknagik State Recreation Site at , a small park whose primary purpose is to serve as a jumping off point for the larger Wood-Tikchik park. It is referred to by locals as "first lake" as it provides access to the various lakes upstream. The site has a boat launch, gas and aviation fuel sales, and ranger headquarters for both state parks. See also List of Alaska state parks References External links Photo gallery of the park Map of the park Wood River water trail Protected areas of Dillingham Census Area, Alaska State parks of Alaska