Fishing at Carey Lake, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Carey Lake belongs to Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska. The setting is taiga. This is sizeable water at about 376 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 3.1 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Nearest place of any size is Healy, 116 miles away. The nearest city of size is Anchorage, 175 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Carey Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area cover bering cisco, least cisco, lake whitefish, Arctic grayling and alaska blackfish. The county list is broader than any single water. Carey Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 59°F and January about -6°F. Open water is the exception rather than the rule here. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid October. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Carey Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Big Lake at 8.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Carey Lake locally before you travel.