Upper Fish Lake, Alaska: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Upper Fish Lake is one of the Copper River Census Area waters in Alaska. The surface lies 3,560 feet up. Around 183 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The outline measures near 3.9 miles, so local knowledge counts. It is high ground by Alaska standards. Deltana lies 56 miles from the water. Tok lies 77 miles off, Salcha another 111 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Upper Fish Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Copper River Census Area, recorded fish include Arctic grayling, Chinook salmon and round whitefish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Upper Fish Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -2°F in January to roughly 53°F in July. Winter owns most of the year at this latitude. Look for the thaw near late May; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice usually gives way near late May, and forms again about mid October. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Upper Fish Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. 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. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Rock Lake is 0.7 miles off. Confirm access to Upper Fish Lake locally before you travel.