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

• Overview

  Octopus Lake is a Copper River Census Area water, Alaska side. The surface lies 3,363 feet up. This is a pocket water of some 14 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is a small entry by Copper River Census Area standards. The closest town, Deltana, is 58 miles distant. Anchorage sits 186 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Octopus Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Copper River Census Area cover Arctic grayling, Chinook salmon, round whitefish, longnose sucker and Dolly Varden. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Read Octopus Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 53°F and January near -1°F on the long-run figures. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. Count the season from break-up, usually late May. Averages place the thaw at late May and the freeze at mid October. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. At Octopus Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Fourteenmile Lake, 2.8 miles away. Confirm before you fish Octopus Lake.