Fishing at Lake Mary, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Set in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska, this is Lake Mary. It lies 243 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 100 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Craig lies 25 miles from the water. It is 582 miles to Vancouver, the nearest city. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Mary

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area include pink salmon, Chum salmon, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Lake Mary repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 32°F in January and 57°F in August. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. On Lake Mary that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Old Franks Lake at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Lake Mary in particular, ask before you travel.