Alaska Lake Trout Fishing.

The lake trout, or Laker, is a member of the char family that is sometimes called a Mackinaw trout in other areas. Lake trout, or Mackinaw, prefer large, deep, cold lakes and are found in the deeper lowland lakes along the central Arctic coastal plain, as well as waters in the Brooks Range and Alaska Range as well as in some of the lakes on the north side of the Chugach mountains and on the Kenai Peninsula. These trout prefer colder water temperatures from 40 to 52 degree F. Ice fishing in the winters is popular for these trout throughout Alaska.

Answers to General Lake Trout Questions.

This species is 15-20 inches long, weighing an average of 10 pounds. The body is typically trout-like and elongated. Lake trout are light green or grey, dark green, brown or almost black with lighter colored spots.

The Alaska state record for a lake trout is 47 pounds caught in Clarence Lake during July of 1970.

Lake trout here in Alaska can live beyond 40 years but the average age is believed to be closer to 20 years. It has been said that some Alaskan populations of Lakers are reported to exceed 50 pounds in size yet 8 to 10 pounds and 15-20 inches long is a more likely size to expect in many of the more accessable lakes in the state.

When available, lake trout feed extensively on other fish such as whitefish, grayling, sticklebacks, and sculpins. Other foods commonly include insect larvae, freshwater clams, snails, leeches, shrews, and even an occasional young bird.

Fishing For Lake Trout in Alaska.

A general knowledge of the behavior of lake trout can be of a big advantage to fishermen. Early spring as the ice retreats and lake waters are still very cold, lake trout can be found feeding near the surface and along shorelines of the warmer shallower waters where feed typically is more abundant. As spring progresses, lake trout move into deeper waters.

Most successful lake trout fishermen use bright spoons or spinners when casting near the inlets or outlets of streams. For those using boats, try trolling slowly through deep, colder water and along steep rock walls or drop-offs. This often produces good catches of lake trout from early summer thru the early fall. Lake trout move into shallower waters in the late fall months preparing to spawn. Large spoons and spinners with pieces of bait attached are effective when trolling.

Where to Fish Lake Trout in Alaska

From here, lets look at the where to fish for these lunkers in Alaska from fly out fishing in some very remote regions to roadside angling accessable by car. Read the next section “Where to Fish Lake Trout in Alaska” for some insite on places to go, when and how to get there or get some Lake Trout Fishing Tips befor you leave for your trip.