Big Lake’s bodacious Arctic Char

My parents moved the family to the Mat-Su Valley in 1972 — and I hate to admit it, but until last week I had never caught one of the big colorful arctic char from Big Lake.

My friend and fellow guide, Jason Perrego, invited me on a mid-week outing at what he considers peak-of-the-season for catching the biggest, baddest, and most colorful char of the year. The weather had already gotten cold — so we scheduled to fish during the warmest hours of the day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.mJason told me ice had been forming the day around the Big Lake North boat launch — so there was a possibility we might need to travel to a launch on the south side of the lake if there was too much ice at Big Lake North.

When we arrived at Big Lake North there was a brisk breeze rippling the water around the boat launch and dock. The breeze had broken up and blown the ice away, however there remained a heavy and slippery frost on the boat dock. When Jason backed the boat trailer into the water we had to wait for the ice layer between his boat and trailer to melt before the boat would float free — it had been cold the day before as well!

Standing on the boat dock waiting for the boat to melt free of the trailer, I was glad I had put on a fleece jacket underneath my insulated Carhart’s and outer raincoat weather. It was the first time I had worn felt-lined winter boots to go on a boating trip, but they felt comfy as well. We met Jason’s friend, James, at the boat launch, and as quick as we could load into the low flat bass boat complete with a big 225 prop outboard we rocketed across the lake toward the preferred location of the day. I suppose there is no reason to own a huge-motored bass boat, unless you are wanting to win the race to each new fishing spot. I am happy to report that we easily won the race to that first fishing spot — by such a large margin there was not even another fishing boat insight for the whole time we were on the water. I had a numb forehead and fingers from racing through the dense cold air at the lake’s surface, but small price to pay considering we had conquered all challengers for the hotspot.

After dropping off step, Jason watched his electronics to position the boat off an underwater point far from any shore or landmark. With the boat postponed just right James set the electronic trolling motor to “anchor” us in place. Without the trolling motor anchor we would have blown around in the wind. Jason demonstrated to James and myself how he wanted us to fish with a jig and plastic minnow type artificial lure. Slow and right near the bottom. They want it slow or they won’t even hit. They are also kind of clumsy and will miss the bait if you move it too fast. Jason showed us what how to identify fish on the electronic fish finders at each end of the boat, but James and I fished for 20 minutes or more with nothing to show for it. Jason cast out, let the jig sink all the way to bottom and quickly hooked, fought, and caught the first char.

Arctic char spawn in the fall, and their spawning colors are simply gorgeous yellow and or orange. Colors can vary significantly between fish with some brilliant-colored specimens and others more dark on the back and silvery. We had to work for each fish, but James, Jason, and I all caught multiple char. The temperatures warmed up slightly and as they did the fishing got considerably better for a while, and bites were stronger and more aggressive. After an hour or so fishing slowed again, and we puttered short distances and tried different locations all in close proximity to where we started fishing. Jason and James discussed places where they have caught good numbers of rainbow trout and some pike on the lake, but today is prime time for catching large char and we spend our entire time fishing toward that goal.

While on the lake we saw several ducks and one flock of trumpeter swans. Near the end of the trip, Jason fired up the big motor and we raced back toward the boat dock and launch. Once again, I happily report, our rocket was so fast there was not even another boat insight as we dropped off step, puttered to the dock and loaded the boat on the trailer.

Interested in catching some Big Lake arctic char, rainbow trout, and / or northern pike with one of the most experienced guides on Big Lake? Consider contacting Jason Perrego https://www.alaskalakesguideservice.com or call 254-291-1516.

Upcoming fishing season summary meeting

Nov. 18, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff will be meeting with the Mat-Su Fish and Wildlife Commission at approximately 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss the 2020 summer fishing season and answer questions about past and future management of Upper Cook Inlet fisheries. The public is invited. A Virtual meeting with some possible in person attendance at the Mat -Su Borough Assembly chambers is anticipated. I plan to provide more information as the meeting approaches.

Andy Couch is a member of the Matanuska Susitna Borough Fish & Wildlife Commission and the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee.