How thick does ice need to be to fish on in Alaska?

Public guidance: at least 4 inches of clear, solid new ice to walk on. White ice is about half as strong. Follow your state agency's advice and check the ice yourself.

What are good ice-fishing lakes in Alaska?

Start with Iliamna Lake, Teshekpuk Lake and Naknek Lake.

Ice fishing in Alaska: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice fishing in Alaska: 10 lakes with walleye, perch, pike, panfish or trout under the ice, and the safety rules that come first.

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

Clear new ice	What it can hold (public guidance)
Under 4 in	Stay off
4 in	Walking, ice fishing on foot
5 to 7 in	Snowmobile or ATV
8 to 12 in	Small car or light pickup
12 to 15 in	Medium truck

1. Iliamna Lake

At 648,000 acres, Iliamna Lake is a huge piece of water. You will find it in Lake and Peninsula. Expect trout, lake trout and northern pike. The deepest water is around 988 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Iliamna Lake is the largest lake in Alaska and home to one of the world's few populations of freshwater seals. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

2. Teshekpuk Lake

Teshekpuk Lake is a natural lake of some 205,000 acres. It lies in North Slope. Lake trout are the draw. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Teshekpuk Lake is the largest lake on Alaska's North Slope and the largest thermokarst lake in the world. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

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

3. Naknek Lake

Naknek Lake covers 150,000 acres. The lake is in Lake and Peninsula. Trout, northern pike and lake trout are the draw. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Naknek Lake lies within Katmai National Park and is known for its sockeye salmon runs and trophy rainbow trout. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

4. Upper Ugashik Lake

Upper Ugashik Lake spreads over about 52,400 acres. It lies in Lake and Peninsula. The fish here are lake trout. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Upper Ugashik Lake connects to Lower Ugashik Lake and the Narrows between them are famous for trophy Arctic grayling fishing. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

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

5. Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a natural lake of about 14,600 acres. You will find it near Valdez. Lake trout are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Lake Louise is a popular fishing destination in the Copper River Basin of Alaska. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

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

6. Becharof Lake

Becharof Lake is a natural lake of 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. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

7. Selawik Lake

Selawik Lake covers 259,000 acres of water. It lies near Kotzebue. The usual Alaska mix applies: trout and northern pike. On the 3-D map the bed has a point drop-off and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

8. Harding Lake

Harding Lake spreads over 2,190 acres. You will find it near Salcha. It holds northern pike and trout. It goes down to about 141 ft. Harding Lake is one of interior Alaska's most popular road-accessible fishing and swimming lakes. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

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

9. Quartz Lake

Quartz Lake covers 1,500 acres of water. It lies near Deltana. Trout are the draw. It goes down to about 40 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Quartz Lake near Delta Junction is a popular stocked fishing lake in interior Alaska. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

10. Dall Lake

At about 111,000 acres, Dall Lake is a huge piece of water. It lies about 60 miles northeast of Bethel. Like most lakes its size in Alaska, it should hold trout and northern pike. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

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

What to bring

Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie