Fairbanks

In Alaska’s Interior, temperatures drop dramatically in late October. But you won’t notice the cold when you’re pulling champion rainbow trout from the water. Ice fishing season starts here in late November and is best through mid-January.

Birch Lake

The fish in this 800-acre lake — including arctic char, coho salmon, rainbow trout and chinook salmon — always seem to be biting, making this a great spot for novice ice fishers. There are privately owned hard-sided ice fishing huts surrounding Birch Lake, evidence of its popularity with area anglers. Look for the clusters of huts. That is a surefire sign of the best fishing holes. Get in on the action by renting one of the five ice huts or the single lakeside cabin, all available through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

Quartz Lake

Quartz Lake is a two-hour drive down the road from Fairbanks. Searching for trophy-sized rainbow trout, anglers here typically bait their hooks with fresh cocktail shrimp. Rainbow trout, Arctic char, coho salmon, and chinook salmon all live in this water. The trout and char usually measure between 10 and 18 inches. As at Birch Lake, there are ice fishing huts available for rent through the Alaska DNR.

Mat-Su Valley

Billing itself the “Stillwater Fishing Capital of Alaska,” the Matanuska-Susitna Valley is home to an abundance of roadside lakes that entice the winter angler. More than 80 lakes in the region are annually stocked with landlocked salmon, Arctic grayling, Arctic char and rainbow trout.

Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area

Also known by its former name Kepler-Bradley, this is a popular state park that draws ice fishers to several lakes stocked with trout and Arctic grayling.  Open year round, the park is a convenient drive from Anchorage, lying just north of the Glenn Highway at milepost 36. The parking lot isn’t accessible in winter; look for six parking spots outside the park entrance gate.

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Many ice fishers target the northern pike, an invasive species known for its monstrous appetite. Nancy Lake, set in a broad valley and ringed with forest, provides a beautiful winter wonderland where you can try your luck. Pike are effortlessly caught and respond well to decoys, shiny jigs and lures. If you’re using bait (check regulations before you go), try chunks of herring or whole sardines. Nancy Lake is a 90-minute drive north of Anchorage along the Parks Highway.

Willow Pike Derby

Still haven’t caught your fill of pike? AK Wild River Adventures and the community of Willow host the Willow Pike Derby during the last weekend in February. This fun, community event awards prizes daily and overall, based on total accumulated weight and the biggest single fish.

Anchorage

Anchorage boasts multiple lakes stocked with chinook salmon for the winter ice fishing season. There will still be plenty of rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, Arctic char, and lake trout that survive the summer season and are waiting to nibble a morsel of shrimp, canned clams, corn or salmon eggs on the end of your fishing line.

Jewel Lake

Early each February, parents and kids turnout for the Jewel Lake Ice Fishing Jamboree in the southwest part of the city. Organizers provide pre-drilled holes, bait, poles and even hot chocolate and snacks. Now in its 26^th year, the event offers prizes for everything from the biggest fish to the oddest fish.

Little Campbell

From mid-December to February, tents cover Little Campbell Lake near Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Any time of day, families and friends gather around ice holes hoping to get lucky for a tug on their line with trout, Dolly Varden or Arctic char on the other end.

Bucket List or Bust

Don’t let colder temperatures keep you on the couch this winter when you could be walking on water. Whether you’re an experienced angler or curious newcomer, Alaska’s abundance of stocked roadside lakes — and helpful resources from its department of fish and game — make ice fishing the “bucket list” experience of a lifetime.