Lost Lake in Copper River Census Area: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lost Lake lies in Copper River Census Area, in Alaska. The water sits 1,076 feet up. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Our Copper River Census Area list holds plenty of bigger water. Valdez sits 69 miles from the bank. Anchorage is the closest city, 182 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Lost Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Copper River Census Area include Arctic grayling, Chinook salmon, round whitefish and longnose sucker. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Take Lost Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 56°F in July and bottom out at -1°F in January. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near late October: that is the shape of an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That is the shape of the year on Lost Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. First Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Lost Lake locally before you travel.