Lake McDonald, Alaska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Alaska, Lake McDonald belongs to Ketchikan Gateway Borough. It lies 59 feet above sea level. About 1,027 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Around 11 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Size puts it in the front rank of our Ketchikan Gateway Borough list. Wrangell lies 41 miles from the water. Ketchikan follows at 44 miles, then Metlakatla at 59 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lake McDonald

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Ketchikan Gateway Borough names pink salmon, Chum salmon and Chinook salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Lake McDonald the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and August at about 56°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. That is the shape of the year on Lake McDonald.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Lake Helen, 3.6 miles away. For Lake McDonald in particular, ask before you travel.