Tips For Lake Fishing In Alaska

The excitement of lake fishing in Alaska can best be described by imaging who 12-year old Daniel Thorsness managed to catch a 47 pound lake trout back in 1970?

With approximately 320 lakes to fish in, lake fishing in Alaska is a treat. Lake Trout is abundant in the lakes of Alaska but is also home to Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, Arctic Char, Northern Pike, and Slimy Sculpin.

Alaska is home of some of the largest Lake Trouts on the planet. Some say their size can be attributed to the difficulty in catching them as many anglers go for the sure catch fish instead of lake trouts which prove to be a more difficulty challenge.

Lake trout, a member of the char family, (also known as Lakers or Mackinaw trout) resides in the deeper lakes of Alaska.

Locations north of Chugach Mountain, Alaska Range, Alaska Peninsula, Lake Clark National Park and Brook Range are excellent locations for lake fishing trips in Alaska. Some locations are remotely located which means they can be best reached with snowmobiles or ATVs.

Information about the habitat and behavior of Lake Trout will give anglers a great advantage over novice anglers:

1. In spring lake trout can be found near lakes and shorelines and as temperature rises retreat to the deeper parts of the lakes where the water is cooler.

2. When fishing in shallower water or near inlets or outlets of streams off lakes, use small crank baits, gigs, fly streamers, spoons or spinners.

3. To lower the sound and vibration when trolling use planner boards to keep baits away from the board so that Lake Trout do not get diverted from the bait.

4. The deeper cooler water locations are the best fishing grounds during early summer while the shallower waters are ideal in late fall.

5. The spawning period for late trout is between September and November

6. Lakers prefer water temperatures no more then 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Use the preferred diet as bait.

8. Make sure you avoid bears by killing the catch immediately and letting it bleed in the water as fish blood draws attention from bears.