Old Franks Lake, Alaska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Old Franks Lake lies in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska. The sea is 2.1 miles distant. Roughly 386 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. It ranks high for size among our Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area listings. The closest town, Craig, is 24 miles distant. Vancouver sits 583 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Old Franks Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area include pink salmon, Chum salmon, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Old Franks Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give August about 57°F and January about 32°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Old Franks Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lake Mary at 1.2 miles is the sensible second choice. For Old Franks Lake in particular, ask before you travel.