Best trout lakes in Alaska: 8 lakes to fish
The best trout lakes in Alaska: Iliamna Lake, Naknek Lake and Teshekpuk Lake and more, with where to start and how the fish move through the year.
From stocked rainbows to deep-water lake trout, these lakes in Alaska carry the cold water trout need. Here are 8 lakes where trout are on record, with where to start on each.
The lakes
| Lake | State | Also holds |
|---|---|---|
| Iliamna Lake | Alaska | northern pike |
| Naknek Lake | Alaska | northern pike |
| Teshekpuk Lake | Alaska | |
| Upper Ugashik Lake | Alaska | |
| Lake Louise | Alaska | |
| Eklutna Lake | Alaska | |
| Harding Lake | Alaska | northern pike |
| Quartz Lake | Alaska |
1. Iliamna Lake, Alaska
At 648,000 acres, Iliamna Lake is a huge piece of water. It lies in Lake and Peninsula. Trout, lake trout and northern pike are the draw. It goes down to about 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, Alaska
Naknek Lake covers 150,000 acres of water. You will find it in Lake and Peninsula. The fish here are trout, lake trout and northern pike.
Naknek Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
3. Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska
At 205,000 acres, Teshekpuk Lake is a huge piece of water. The lake is in North Slope. It holds lake trout. 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, Alaska
At about 52,400 acres, Upper Ugashik Lake is a huge piece of water. The lake is in Lake and Peninsula. The fish here are lake trout. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Upper Ugashik Lake connects to Lower Ugashik Lake and the Narrows between them are famous for trophy Arctic grayling fishing.
Upper Ugashik Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
5. Lake Louise, Alaska
Lake Louise is a natural lake of about 14,600 acres. It lies near Valdez. Lake trout are the draw. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. 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
6. Eklutna Lake, Alaska
Eklutna Lake is a natural lake of 3,520 acres. You will find it near Butte. It holds kokanee salmon. The deepest water is around 300 ft. Eklutna Lake is a turquoise, glacially fed lake near Anchorage popular with paddlers and anglers.
Eklutna Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
7. Harding Lake, Alaska
At 2,190 acres, Harding Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near Salcha. Expect trout and northern pike. At about 141 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Harding Lake is one of interior Alaska's most popular road-accessible fishing and swimming lakes.
Harding Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
8. Quartz Lake, Alaska
Quartz Lake spreads over some 1,500 acres. You will find it about 29 miles southeast of Deltana. Trout are the draw. It goes down to about 40 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Quartz Lake near Delta Junction is a popular stocked fishing lake in interior Alaska.
Quartz Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed
Trout through the year in Alaska
The water temperature on the day matters more than the calendar: each lake page on LakeScope shows today's surface temperature and how the fish should react to it.
- Spring: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- Summer: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- Fall: Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- Winter: Cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.
Questions
What is the best trout lake in Alaska?
Iliamna Lake in Alaska is our first pick; Naknek Lake and Teshekpuk Lake are close behind.
When is the best time to fish for trout?
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines. Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
Your lake every morning
Water temperature, level, wind and bite times on your phone.
