Finger Lake in Matanuska-Susitna Borough: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Finger Lake is listed under Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. Height above sea level is 348 feet. This is sizeable water at about 350 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The edge covers about 7.9 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. Few waters listed in Matanuska-Susitna Borough are bigger. Some 0.9 miles away sits Lakes, the nearest settlement. Beyond it, Gateway at 2.5 miles and Tanaina at 5 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Finger Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Matanuska-Susitna Borough cover rainbow trout, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon and longnose sucker. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The near bank of Finger Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 58°F, with January the cold end at about 16°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Finger Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Cottonwood Lake, 1.3 miles away. Treat access at Finger Lake as something to verify.