Big Lake Fishing Guide, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Big Lake is one of the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area waters in Alaska. Land around it is dry open country. With some 76 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. There is roughly 1.8 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. On size it sits at the modest end of our Southeast Fairbanks Census Area list. You are 20 miles from Deltana. After that come Salcha at 55 miles and Eielson Air Force Base at 66 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Big Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Southeast Fairbanks Census Area: Arctic grayling, lake whitefish, lake trout and longnose sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Big Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 58°F on average, January about -2°F. Everything is compressed into the middle of the year. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid May. In an average year the thaw lands around mid May and the freeze near mid October. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Time your trip to Big Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Mark Lake at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Big Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.