North Lime Lake Fishing in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Alaska holds North Lime Lake, in Bethel Census Area. This is taiga ground. At some 749 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. Around 11 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Supplies mean a trip to Nikiski, 145 miles off. Further out sit Kenai (150 miles) and Kalifornsky (153 miles). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on North Lime Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Bethel Census Area names sockeye salmon, Chum salmon and Coho salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Take North Lime Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 57°F, while January sits near 2°F. Cold dominates the year and the fishing works around it. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. From about early May to around late October, expect open water on the long-run figures. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to North Lime Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is East Lime Lake, 2.9 miles out. What applies at North Lime Lake may have changed since it was mapped.