This is a huge region, stretching from Healy to Manley Hot Springs on the western side and from Copper Center to Fairbanks on the eastern side. This is interior Alaska, far from the salt water, but you’ll still find all five salmon species. This region is a popular destination for hunters of arctic grayling and burbot. The Tangle Lakes system is famous for its grayling and lake trout, as well as a popular canoe trip destination.
Available Species: King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Red Salmon, Pink Salmon, Chum Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Burbot, Whitefish
Hot Spots: Tangle Lakes, Piledriver Slough, Quartz Lake, Chena River, Delta Clearwater River
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Fishing Spots
Cast your line for some rainbow trout, or maybe a silver salmon. Here you’ll find public fishing access. A short walk on the .3 mile trail north to Strelna Lake puts you in the right sport for some angling.
Large roadside pullout beside the Alaska Highway at mile 1391.8 is the Donna Lakes Trailhead. Follow the trail 3.6 miles to Big Donna Lake Cabin, and continue another 1.3 miles to Little Donna Lake Cabin. Both cabins are managed by ADF&G.
Fish for Arctic Grayling and Dolly Varden.
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. Lake stocked with arctic char, rainbow trout, and lake trout. From the road, follow the 1⁄2 mile trail to the lake.
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. “J” lake is accessible from the Richardson Highway. Exit onto the Old Richardson Highway at MP 256, then turn onto Windy Ridge Road. There is a small cluster of lakes, and 2 additional lakes are accessible via short trails (Ghost Lake and Nickel Lake).
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. Fish for Rainbow trout and lake trout.
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. South Twin Lake is stocked with Rainbow trout.
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. Lake stocked with rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Take Meadows Road from the Richardson Highway, and follow the turn for Bolio Lake.
Stocked lake within the Donnelly Training Area. you must obtain a Recreation Access Permit (RAP) before fishing these stocked lakes, because they are on Army land. Mark Lake is stocked with Arctic char, Rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon. Access this lake by departing the Richardson Highway onto Meadows Road. At mile 5.3 there’s a short trail to the lake.
From Fairbanks you will want to drive the Richardson Highway, 3 hours south along the Alcan towards Delta, Alaska. At mile 141.5 of the Alaska Highway turn left onto Jack Warren Road and on to Remington Road for 8.5 miles till you reach the Clearwater State Recreation Area, where there is a quaint 17-site camping area and a boat launch. Fishing is known to be great for grayling.
This trail goes north to the northern end of Swede Lake. It then continues on to the Middle Fork Gulkana Branch Trail and another half mile to Alphabet Hills Trail. It is usually a very wet trail so rubber boots are usually recommended. Both Big Swede and Little Swede Lakes offer good opportunities for fishing. Lake Trout are found in Little Swede. Lake trout, grayling, burbot, and whitefish are found in Big Swede.
Large roadside pullout beside the Alaska Highway at mile 1391.8 is the Donna Lakes Trailhead. Follow the trail 3.6 miles to Big Donna Lake Cabin, managed by ADF&G.
Just north of Fairbanks, Alaska, flowing out of the low mountains and rolling hills west of Chena Dome and south of Mastodon Dome, is the Birch Creek National Wild and Scenic River, one of only a few rivers of this status that is accessible by road and requires no flying in or out to do the 126-mile section of Class I to III+ river. A swift, shallow stream, Birch Creek begins above its confluence with Twelvemile Creek and for the first 10… ...more
Rainbow trout fishing spot off of the Alaska Highway. A dirt road at MP 1348 leads to the trailhead for the 1⁄2 mile hike to Robertson #2 lake.
The Chatanika River, a Class II river, is a part of the Yukon River drainage and is a clear or lightly tannic stained rapid-runoff stream. It has its headwaters in the mountains of the northeastern portion of the Alaska Range and flows westward through valleys between summits and uplands for about four-fifths of its length before it enters Minto Flats, eventually joining the Tolovano River. It is most suited to small craft such as canoes or… ...more
This BLM-maintained campground sits amid the Tangle Lakes, a series of long, narrow lakes. This is a designated put-in for the 30-mile-long Delta National Wild and Scenic River float trip. There are moose and caribou in the area, many hunters use this as a base camp during the fall hunting season.
Popular fishing and camping spot halfway between Fairbanks and Delta Junction (about an hour in either direction). There’s a boat launch, and fisherman can fish for trout, arctic char, and burbot.
Great campground and fishing area just north of Delta Junction. The loop camping area holds 16 sites, and there are another 87 parking / camping sites in the lot. Boaters will enjoy easy access to two boat launches. There are also picnic tables and a pavilion. Near the water, there’s a handicap accessible fishing dock, a swimming area, and a beach volleyball court.
Popular camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation spot just an hour south of Fairbanks along the Richardson Highway. There are 19 campsites and 5 walk-in sites. In summer, the area is popular with boaters, fishermen, and jet-skiers / water skiers. The lake is stocked with Rainbow trout, grayling, and Arctic char, as well as salmon. It’s also a popular ice fishing spot in winter. You can even reserve an ice fishing hut!
Small fishing pond easily accessible from the Steese Highway that is stocked with Arctic grayling and Rainbow trout. There’s a sign visible from the highway and a gravel parking area. This area is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks.
Small fishing pond easily accessible from the Steese Highway that is stocked with Arctic grayling, burbot, and Rainbow trout by fish & game. There’s a sign visible from the highway and a large gravel parking area surrounded by trees. This area is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks.
Sign visible from Chena Hot Springs Road. Gravel road leads to gravel parking area with a fee station and outhouse. Lake stocked with Arctic grayling, Rainbow trout, and burbot.
Stocked with Arctic grayling and Rainbow trout by ADF&G. Easily accessible from Chena Hot Springs Road.
Popular in the summer with locals for a swim. Fishing is catch and release only.
Small pond stocked by ADF&G with Arctic grayling and Rainbow trout. Sign visible from Richardson highway leads to a small gravel parking area. Approximately 15 mins north of Delta Junction.