Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Lake Fishing in Alaska

By Doris Ballamore

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?

Alaska with its approximately 320 lakes to fish in is home to a large variety of fish. The lakes are home to Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Slimy Sculpin and Arctic Char among others.

Some of the largest Lake Trouts are home in Alaska. It is widely believed that the massive sizes that can be found in Alaska can be explained by the local anglers preference to focus on easier to catch fish.

Lake Trout, which is a member of the char family of fish, is residing in the deeper parts of Alaska's lakes.

The Alaska Range, Brook Range, Bristol Bay watershed, the Alaska Peninsula, Lake Clark National Park, areas of the Kenai Peninsula, and lakes on the north side of the Chugach Mountains are great locations for lake fishing in Alaska. Some of these locations are very remote and require the use of ATVs, snowmobiles, or foot hiking to reach the lakes.

Learning about the behavior and habitat of Lake Trout gives anglers an immense advantage over novice anglers. Here are some tips:

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. Small crank baits, fly streamers, spoons, gigs and spinners are best when fishing in shallower waters or near the outlets or inlets of stream off lakes.

3. It is a good practice to keep the baits away from the boat to lower the vibration and sound that could divert the lake trout from the bait.

4. Fish in the deep cooler water during early summer thru early fall. Focus along rock walls or drop offs. Fish the shallower waters in late fall.

5. Lake trout spawn during September through November.

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

7. Use the preferred diet as bait.

8. Beware of bears. Kill your catch immediately and bleed it in the water. Fish blood draws attention from bears and this process reduces the unwanted attention.

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