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

• Overview

  Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in Alaska is where Chissovun Lake sits. The country here is dry rangeland. This is sizeable water at about 261 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 3.7 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Farmers Loop lies 118 miles from the water. Anchorage is the closest city, 380 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Chissovun Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area include bering cisco, least cisco, lake whitefish and Arctic grayling. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Chissovun Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 61°F, with January the cold end at about -18°F. Water stays cold even at the height of the year. After mid May the shallows warm and the fish move up. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about mid October in a typical year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Time your trip to Chissovun Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Twelvemile Lake is 5.2 miles off. Confirm access to Chissovun Lake locally before you travel.