Where to Fish Lake Trout in Alaska

Not as popular as rainbow trout fishing, lake trout are still a highly sought after prize within the trout fishing crowd here in Alaska. Why the typical fishermen in Alaska ignores this species most likely is due to the degree of difficulty in actually catch them. Aside from the winter ice fishing trips, seldom do you see an Alaskan targeting Lakers as their main quarry. The lake trout is actually not a trout at all but rather a member of the char family, they are a close relative to the much more popular sport fish, the Dolly Varden.

Lake trout can grow to over 60 pounds in many parts of northern Canada but is is not typical to catch them over 20 pounds in Alaska and any fish exceeding that would be considered quite large. This may attribute to the relatively low pressure on fishing for Lakers here in Alaska.

Where to find Lake Trout in Alaska.

Lakers typically live in large, deep lakes and most lakes in Alaska that contain lake trout are well off the road system. Generally speaking, most of these trout are found in the remote regions of the Alaska Range and Brooks Range. Lake Trout are also found thriving in a number of the large lakes in the threatened Bristol Bay watershed and on the Alaska Peninsula. But we are most concerned with the areas accessible by private vehicles and that offer boat launching facilities for the average Alaskan.

Of the road accessable lakes, it is Lake Louise and Susitna Lake accessable by boat from Lake Louise that are most well known for their lake trout fishing. Lake Louise is accessed by turning north on Lake Louise Road from the Glenn Highway at milepost 159.8. Lake Louise Road is a 19.5 mile long gravel road that is kept in good condition throughout the year. Lake Louise is known for good lake trout fishing and is a popular fishing area all through the year. Ice fishing has become popular recently throughout the winter months. There are a couple of lakefront lodges that provide year-round accommodations as well as a very nice campground with boat launch facilities.

Some of the better lakes for fishing lake trout in the Brooks Range include Shainin, Chandler, Kurupa, Elusive, and Itkillik Lakes on the North Slope and Selby-Narvak, Wild, Helpmejack, Chandalar, Squaw, and Walker Lakes on the South Slope. Lake trout are also available in limited numbers in Fielding and Tangle Lakes near Parson and in Harding Lake.