Arctic Grayling Fishing in Alaska

The Arctic grayling is an elegantly fashioned cousin of the trout. With its large sail-like dorsal fin dotted with large iridescent red or purple spots, the grayling is one of the most unusual and beautiful fish of Alaska. Grayling are generally dark on the back and have iridescent gray sides. They have varying numbers of black spots scattered along the frontal portion of both sides. The tail and fins are dusky brown except for the pelvic fins that are often marked with pink to orange stripes.
Source; Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Notebook Series.

Grayling are aggressive feeders and will hit most any small lure, spinner, or fly that is presented to them. We like the size 1 or 2 Panther Martin in silver with yellow body and red dots in clear water or gold blade in colored water. Another top lure is the Blue Fox Super Vibrax Spinners; color Hot Clown in size 0 or 1. Both of these are top producers. Other lures we keep in our Grayling arsenal include the Colorado Spinner, Dick Nite, Little Cleo and the Needlefish spoons all sized for the small mouths of these fish.

Arctic grayling fishing in Alaska introduces you to a sport not enjoyed by many anglers. These Cinderella fish of the north are grossly abundant and fun to catch making them a fun addition to any Alaska fishing trip.

Roadside fishing for Grayling in Alaska can be found in many areas and the fishing can be very fast for those anglers that possess some of the information we are about to disclose. We will discuss the habits of these interesting fish as well as the lures and flies that have proven deadly on these fish.

One day last September, my son and I stopped along the Alaska Highway to try fishing in a small stream that crossed beneath the road. Immediately we were greeted by a stream full of hungry grayling waiting to attack virtually any lure we had to offer. We started off as usual flipping the small Panther Martin spinners and hooked up on nearly every cast. After an hour or so, we began playing around by changing to various trout spinners and spoons to see if there was anything they wouldn't take. From a chipped up daredevil spoon to a worn out rooster tail, there seemed to be nothing these fish would turn down. It was so much fun listening to Craig as he caught one after another of these tough fighters.

Grayling are usually active feeders making for fast action. If you have kids in your party, be sure to check into any grayling fishing that may be available in the area your visiting. Continued in the How to catch Grayling section.

Grayling are common to nearly all clear-flowing streams throughout interior Alaska. While grayling are available from early April through September, many streams along the road system near Fairbanks, Delta Junction, and Tok have hook-and-release regulations during the spring spawning period, so be sure to consult the current sport fishing regulations for the appropriate season. Popular fishing spots are the Chatanika, Chena, Delta Clearwater, Goodpaster, and Salcha Rivers and the Tangle Lakes system. Large grayling are available in the Sinuk, Niukluk, and Fish Rivers near Nome; the Unalakleet River, Norton Sound area; and in the Clearwater tributaries of the Yukon River. Our favorite dry fly patterns include the Mosquito, Black Gnat, Royal Coachman, and Blue Upright that have proven themselves time and again with grayling.