Ice fishing in earnest

On Thanksgiving Day several of my family members went ice fishing for the first time this winter. The temperatures were cool and they needed to be back in time for our family dinner, so the trip was brief enough that they caught some fish (landlocked chinook salmon and Arctic char), but not too many fish. Most of them were released, and my brother, Mark, fished the whole time with artificial lures (no bait to get his hands cold or wet), and yes he caught some of the fish as well. Mark mentioned that he drilled about 8 holes and in each the ice appeared to be about 12 inches thick — a solid ice layer. The fish ran in size from about 9 - 15 inches in length — a rather consistent size range that can often be caught in lakes stocked by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

I had a yearning to join the group fishing, but was previously self-saddled with peeling, cooking, and mashing enough potatoes for about 20 people. So while other family members were enjoying shared time on the lake, I joined them in a meal and conversation after they returned.

The next day my wife wanted to do some Black Friday shopping in Anchorage, so we made that trip, and during the drive saw plenty of parked vehicles and people / tents out on Kepler - Bradley Lakes, Echo Lake, and Mirror Lake. Thanksgiving fell a bit later on the calendar this year, and after 10 days of temperatures well below freezing the ice layer on lakes should be good at most Mat-Su Valley or Anchorage area locations.

Some of the better catching of the season often occurs early in the winter, and it can be more pleasant on cloudy days with warmer temperatures. Many ice fishermen believe the fish bite better on these low-atmospheric-pressure-days as well. Many of the same locations that produce fish in the summer are good spots to catch fish through the ice. When ice fishing I often like to fish in water from 6 - 15 feet in depth — although early in the winter I’ve also experienced good luck in depths up to about 30 feet. On smaller lakes, and especially later in the winter, most of my fish catching is done in the shallower water. For providing lots of action, the stocked lakes often excel for smaller fish. For those who prefer larger fish, two specific lakes are often at the top of the Mat-Su list — Big Lake for Arctic char and the occasional large northern pike, and Lake Louise for lake trout that can run over 20 pounds. There may likely be considerably less action when fishing for larger fish, but one large fish might weigh more than a whole limit of catchable-sized stockers. Note: While anglers are encouraged to harvest all the pike they catch from Big Lake, the brilliant-colored Arctic char, in this particular lake, are currently managed on a catch and release basis. Similarly, anglers who regularly fish Lake Louise in search of large lakers, while allowed to harvest one lake trout, often choose to release larger lake trout inorder to maintain the exceptional fish size in Louise’s fish population.

If you go, the ice is thick enough now, on most Mat-Su lakes, that I would suggest using an auger — rather than a spud / chisel to cut a fishing hole. Be careful around stream outlets or inflows where the lake ice layer may not be as thick. If it has been a while since you were last fishing, remember to get /take a fishing license and check fishing regulations for the water body you intend to fish.

Keeping Warm. I saw some rubber foam mats at a couple locations in Anchorage that anglers could use to provide more insulation between their feet and the ice — which could be helpful, along with one of the popular ice fishing tents, and a heater. Personally, I simply dress warmly — especially remembering a good hat, gloves, outer layer, and well-insulated winter boots, and I always enjoy fishing with someone else as well. Good Luck.

December 5, 2024 Mat-Su Fisheries Meeting — Your Invitation Starting at 5 p.m. the public is invited to attend this annual meeting hosted by the Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission at the Borough Assembly Chambers in Palmer. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) staff members along with a wildlife trooper and NOAA (federal) staff have been request to participate and answer some questions about Mat-Su fisheries. There will be discussion about what to expect from Mat-Su salmon fisheries and likely management actions for Mat-Su salmon in 2025. Plan to attend and feel welcome.

The commission has already asked several Mat-Su fish related questions and received written responses from ADF&G and NOAA that may be reviewed before the meeting. In addition a online zoom link is provided for those who may not be able to travel to the Mat-Su Borough Assembly Chambers by 5 p.m. on Thursday night. You can get that information from the Fish and Wildlife Commission webpage on the Mat-Su Borough website.

For additional information please contact: Mat-Su Borough staff member Rebecca Skjothaug at 907-861-8608.

Andy Couch plans to participate in this meeting online, and hopes to hear /see many others participating in public and online. Pete Probasco will be chairing the meeting at the Mat-Su Borough Assembly Chambers.

Fish On!