Falls Lake in Petersburg Borough: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Alaska, Falls Lake belongs to Petersburg Borough. It sits 1.7 miles in from the sea. Small at around 17 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is a small entry by Petersburg Borough standards. Petersburg sits 16 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Wrangell (41 miles) and Sitka (97 miles). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Falls Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Public occurrence data for Petersburg Borough names walleye pollock, pink salmon and Pacific cod. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Falls Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 26°F in January and 52°F in July. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Time your trip to Falls Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Swan Lake sits 1.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Falls Lake for certain.