Fishing at Barrie Lake, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Barrie Lake falls in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, part of Alaska. Salt water lies 2.1 miles off. At about 31 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 1.0 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Our Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area list holds plenty of bigger water. The town to know is Petersburg, 34 miles out. After that come Wrangell at 46 miles and Craig at 71 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Barrie Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area include pink salmon, Chum salmon, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Barrie Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 55°F and January about 32°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Plan any trip to Barrie Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Kushneahin Lake at 3.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Barrie Lake.