Sun Lake in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Southeast Fairbanks Census Area entry here is Sun Lake, in Alaska. It lies 1,791 feet above sea level. It measures about 54 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Bank access stretches around 1.4 miles in total. Most waters listed here for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area are larger. The nearest place of any size is Tok, 19 miles away. Further out sit Deltana (97 miles) and Dawson City (114 miles). No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Sun Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area records list Arctic grayling, lake whitefish and lake trout among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take Sun Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -14°F to 58°F. The ice season is long here and the open one short. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. Open water usually runs from early May until about mid October. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Sun Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Close Lake sits 1.5 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Sun Lake may have changed since it was mapped.