Fishing at Florence Creek Lake, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  The Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area entry here is Florence Creek Lake, in Alaska. This is taiga ground. It measures about 238 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. With 3.2 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Ester lies 178 miles from the water. The big place round here is Anchorage, 411 miles distant. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Florence Creek Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area include bering cisco, least cisco, lake whitefish, Arctic grayling and alaska blackfish. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Florence Creek Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -12°F to 58°F. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid May. Averages place the thaw at mid May and the freeze at mid October. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Anyone fishing Florence Creek Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Grayling Lake is 19 miles off. Confirm before you fish Florence Creek Lake.