Salmon Bay Lake, Alaska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Salmon Bay Lake in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska. The shore lies 2.9 miles out. Roughly 989 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. You are looking at roughly 9.6 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Size puts it in the front rank of our Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area list. Nearest town is Wrangell, 35 miles off. Petersburg is 41 miles away, with Craig at 53 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Salmon Bay Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area cover pink salmon, Chum salmon, Chinook salmon and Coho salmon. Treat Salmon Bay Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 56°F and January at 31°F. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Plan around that when you fish Salmon Bay Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Sink Hole Lake, 4.7 miles out. The position on Salmon Bay Lake is worth confirming on the day.