Fishing at Upper Telida Lake, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Set in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, this is Upper Telida Lake. Northern bush runs right down to the water. About 645 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The margin runs to about 3.9 miles in total. On our Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Healy, is 132 miles away. Beyond it, Susitna North at 137 miles and Willow at 153 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Upper Telida Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area include bering cisco, least cisco, lake whitefish, Arctic grayling and alaska blackfish. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Upper Telida Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 59°F for July and -3°F for January. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Look for the thaw near early May; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly late October. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. On Upper Telida Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Lower Telida Lake is 2.7 miles off. Signs at Upper Telida Lake carry more weight than any list.