Fishing at Ravine Lake, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

• Overview

  Ravine Lake is listed under Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. The bank is 1,972 feet above sea level. At roughly 17 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Matanuska-Susitna Borough standards. Sutton-Alpine is the closest town at 21 miles. After that come Lazy Mountain at 25 miles and Farm Loop at 30 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Ravine Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. 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. Matanuska-Susitna Borough records list rainbow trout, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. The shape of Ravine Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 53°F on average, January about 11°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice-out usually falls in mid May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about late October in a typical year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Ravine Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. There is a jetty 100 yards off, worth knowing on a busy day. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Bonnie Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Ravine Lake before loading the car.