Ice Fishing in Alaska - Catch Some Winter Delicacies

Ice fishing in Alaska happens in many lakes around the State. And usually there are no access fees to State and Federal Parks in the winter.

Sitting still in the cold weather can become pretty uncomfortable. Ice fishing huts are handy to protect you from the cold winds. You can rent them to do some lake ice fishing as mentioned below.

By December there should be a thick layer of ice on most lakes. But it's still wise to check the ice thickness in several places as you move away from shore. The ice depth may vary considerably on large lakes. It will be thinner where there is a lot of motion, such as inflowing or outflowing streams. It will also be thinner over the deepest section of the lake. To be safe while you're ice fishing in Alaska, you'll want at least a 6 to 8 inch ice layer, if you are on foot. You'll want it much thicker if you drive a vehicle on it.

Clear ice is usually sturdier than murky ice. A layer of snow over the ice can make it thinner and water sometimes flows over the top, underneath the snow. So check every area carefully when you can't clearly see what the ice looks like.

Silver salmon are usually closest to the surface, rainbow trout are a little lower and arctic char stay closer to the bottom. Earthworms, salmon eggs or shrimp are recommended bait for these fish, unless you are doing catch and release fishing and want to use lures.

Burbot, lake trout and northern pike are good for Alaskan ice fishing and tend to stay near the bottom of lakes. Northern Pike especially can be found in many lakes along the Parks Highway, as they became an invasive species in that region and several others.

Below is a list of a few lakes that are known to be good for ice fishing in Alaska. When you pick up your Alaska fishing license, be sure you find out what the current fishing regulations are for the lakes you plan on fishing.

Birch Lake in SRA - Ice fishing at this lake could be quite rewarding since it is kept stocked with rainbow trout, king and silver salmon, grayling, and arctic char. At Mile 305.5 Richardson Highway, you'll see Birch Lake State Recreational Site sign. Park is at the end of the road.

Quartz Lake in SRA - There are actually two lakes here, Quartz and Lost Lakes. This is one of the easiest fishing areas to get to and there are plenty of campsites, all with a 15-day camping limit. You can even rent a cabin here if you prefer. At Milepost 277.8 of the Richardson Highway, turn right on Quartz Lake Road, right on Quartz lake Road Access.

The State has four ice fishing hut rentals available for each of the two lakes above. These are generally available from December through March, when the ice is thick enough. They are 8' x 12' (2.44m x 3.66m) in size, have a wood-burning stove and 4 holes. You have to supply the firewood and an ice auger to cut holes in the ice. For day use only, they do not have beds in them. You can make online reservations whenever you are ready, but you should reserve them in advance as I've noticed that they get taken quickly. There are only a few lakes with these ice fishing huts available.

Chena Lake in SRA - Has arctic char, arctic grayling, rainbow trout, king and silver salmon. At the town of North Pole, mile 346.8 Richardson Highway, turn north on Laurance Road and follow. Turn left at sign for Lake Park. Ice fishing huts available on Chena Lake from the Fairbanks Parks Department. Call 907-488-1655.

Lake Louise, Susitna and Tyone Lakes in SRA. Known to have lake trout, whitefish, burbot and arctic grayling and is a popular place for Alaska ice fishing. The lake trout are from 8 pounds on up, in size. This lake is 17.2 miles up Lake Louise Drive, which is just south of Glennallen off the Glenn Highway. Run by a private concessionaire - call 907-441-7575.

Paxon Lake - Located on the west side of the Richardson Highway at Mile 175 (north of the Tok Cutoff Junction). Has a good depth and is known for its wild fish populations of arctic grayling, burbot, king and red salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, and various whitefish.

Stormy Lake in Captain Cook SRA - A fishing lake that has rainbow trout and arctic char. It is a popular place for ice fishing in Alaska. This lake is in the State Recreation Area at the northern end of North Kenai Road - Milepost 36.

Also try Kenai, Skilak and Tustemena Lakes - These are the three largest lakes on the Kenai Peninsula and give good opportunities for ice fishing in Alaska. These have an abundance of fish and can be reached on roads connecting them to the Sterling Highway.

Big Lake North - Ice fishing in Alaska is popular at Big Lake and there is a campgrounds on the south side of the lake as well. For the north campground, from mile 52.3 Parks Highway, take the Big Lake Road 3.6 miles to "Y", take North Shore Drive 1.4 miles to end of road. Run by a concessionaire - contact at 1-800-952-8624.

Christiansen Lake - A lake with good overall depth that is stocked with silver salmon and rainbow trout. Popular for Alaska ice fishing. Off Comsat Road from the Talkeetna Spur Road.

There are many lakes that can be used for ice fishing in Alaska. Try the deeper lakes as they are more likely to have good winter fishing. You can find other ice fishing lakes in Alaska that are stocked, or even lakes with wild fish populations, starting on the Northern Region Alaska Fishing Vacations page.

SBI!

Ice Fishing in AlaskaIt's Never Too Late To Fish

Ice Fishing in Alaska
It's Never Too Late To Fish