Fishing at Upper Marten Lake, City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska

• Overview

  Upper Marten Lake lies within the bounds of City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska. It sits 5 miles in from the sea. Roughly 135 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The edge runs 2.2 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Some 24 miles away sits Wrangell, the nearest settlement. After that come Petersburg at 56 miles and Ketchikan at 66 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Upper Marten Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. City and Borough of Wrangell records list Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and pink salmon among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Take Upper Marten Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 53°F and January at 24°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. From about mid April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. On Upper Marten Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Marten Lake sits 1.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Upper Marten Lake before loading the car.