Game Trail Lake Fishing Guide, Copper River Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Alaska holds Game Trail Lake, in Copper River Census Area. The setting is taiga on every side. Surface area runs to roughly 1,258 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. The perimeter runs near 7.1 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It is among the larger waters listed here for Copper River Census Area. Supplies mean a trip to Valdez, 78 miles off. Then Sutton-Alpine, 98 miles, and Lazy Mountain, 103 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Game Trail Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Copper River Census Area, recorded fish include Arctic grayling, Chinook salmon, round whitefish, longnose sucker and Dolly Varden. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Game Trail Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -5°F and July at about 55°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season is measured in weeks rather than months. Count the season from break-up, usually mid May. Open water usually runs from mid May until about mid October. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Game Trail Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Salmon Berry Lake, 2.3 miles away. Confirm before you fish Game Trail Lake.