Best fishing lakes in Alaska: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Iliamna Lake

Iliamna Lake covers 648,000 acres. It lies in Lake and Peninsula. The fish here are trout, lake trout and northern pike. The deepest water is around 988 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Iliamna Lake is the largest lake in Alaska and home to one of the world's few populations of freshwater seals.

Iliamna Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Naknek Lake

Naknek Lake spreads over some 150,000 acres. It lies in Lake and Peninsula. It holds trout, northern pike and lake trout. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Naknek Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Teshekpuk Lake

Teshekpuk Lake spreads over some 205,000 acres. It lies in North Slope. Lake trout are the draw. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Teshekpuk Lake is the largest lake on Alaska's North Slope and the largest thermokarst lake in the world.

Teshekpuk Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Upper Ugashik Lake

At about 52,400 acres, Upper Ugashik Lake is a huge piece of water. You will find it in Lake and Peninsula. It holds lake trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look.

Upper Ugashik Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Becharof Lake

Becharof Lake spreads over 290,000 acres. The lake is in Lake and Peninsula. The usual Alaska mix applies: trout and lake trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Becharof Lake is the largest lake within the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System.

Becharof Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Dall Lake

Dall Lake covers about 111,000 acres. The lake is near Bethel. Like most lakes its size in Alaska, it should hold trout and northern pike. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Dall Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lakes Nuyakuk, Tikchik, Chauekuktuli

Lakes Nuyakuk, Tikchik, Chauekuktuli covers about 59,800 acres. You will find it near Dillingham. Like most lakes its size in Alaska, it should hold trout, lake trout and northern pike. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lakes Nuyakuk, Tikchik, Chauekuktuli today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Nerka

Lake Nerka covers about 49,900 acres. You will find it about 25 miles southeast of Dillingham. The usual Alaska mix applies: trout, lake trout and northern pike. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Nerka today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Louise

At about 14,600 acres, Lake Louise is a big lake. The lake is near Valdez. Expect lake trout. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Lake Louise is a popular fishing destination in the Copper River Basin of Alaska.

Lake Louise today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Selawik Lake

Selawik Lake is a natural lake of 259,000 acres of water. You will find it near Kotzebue. The usual Alaska mix applies: trout and northern pike. Its bed shows a point drop-off and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Selawik Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Imuruk Basin

Imuruk Basin spreads over 57,600 acres. The lake is about 38 miles south of Nome. Like most lakes its size in Alaska, it should hold trout and northern pike. The deepest water is around 20 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Imuruk Basin is a shallow estuary on the Seward Peninsula where several rivers meet tidal water.

Imuruk Basin today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Tustumena Lake

Tustumena Lake is a natural lake of 73,400 acres of water. It lies about 73 miles northeast of Anchorage. Like most lakes its size in Alaska, it should hold trout, lake trout and northern pike. It goes down to about 950 ft. Tustumena Lake is the largest lake entirely within the Kenai Peninsula.

Tustumena Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Pick by species

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Trout: Iliamna Lake, Naknek Lake, Teshekpuk Lake and Upper Ugashik Lake
• Pike and muskie: Iliamna Lake, Naknek Lake, Dall Lake and Lakes Nuyakuk, Tikchik, Chauekuktuli

Season by season

• Spring: trout are usually at their best. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Summer: trout are usually at their best. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Fall: trout are usually at their best. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
• Winter: trout are usually fair. Cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Before you go

A Alaska fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.