13 Alaska Highway Fishing Adventures
Alaska Highway Fishing. You won’t be on the Alaska Highway for long before you realize you’re driving through fishing heaven. That’s because you’ll quickly see a lot of fantastic fishing spots from behind the wheel of your automobile!
This is what freshwater fishing is all about: Catch 50 lb Lake Trout in the clear, blue waters of Muncho Lake. Feel the strike of a true Northern Pike and spend lazy, catch-and-release hours before landing the Rainbow Trout that’s worthy of your grill.
Without venturing far from the Alaska Highway in the Northern Rockies, you can stand on the shoreline or wade into waist deep, chilled mountain waters to catch Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling, Whitefish and Northern Pike, some of them northern trophies!
In the lakes and rivers in Northern BC, locals and visitors catch and release the fighters, or grill and savour the day’s catch. There are a number of guided fishing tours available in the Fort Nelson area.
Here’s our first set of recommended Alaska Highway “fishing holes” — these ones in the Northern Rockies — en route to the Yukon and Alaska.
Borrow Pits
Location: Mile 233 to Mile 300
Type of Fish: Stocked with Rainbow Trout
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Borrow Pits. Old gravel pits between Prophet River and Fort Nelson have been transformed into tranquil fishing ponds. Eleven pits are scattered east and west of the highway. They’re a range of sizes and can be identified by blue fish signs. These make good ice-fishing locations in the winter because they are easily accessible from the highway.
Andy Bailey Lake
Location: Access by 8km 2×2 road at Mile 265
Type of Fish: Northern Pike
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Andy Bailey Lake. This small lake is located in the Andy Bailey Regional Park and has a boat launch, camping area and picnic area. Non-motorized boat use only.
Beaver Lake
Location: 11 km north on the Liard Highway
Type of Fish: Stocked with Rainbow Trout
Tetsa River
Location: Mile 345-375
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden, Whitefish
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Tetsa River. River fishing from multiple access points (including Tetsa River Campground). River provides good pool fishing and fly-fishing is suggested.
Summit Lake
Location: Mile 373 in Stone Mountain Provincial Park
Type of Fish: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish, Lake Trout
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Summit Lake. Boat launch at campground with motorized boats allowed.
McDonald Creek
Location: Mile 378 – 395
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in McDonald Creek. Creek provides excellent pool fishing from many access points along the highway. Spin or fly-fishing
Racing River
Location: Two access points from the Alaska Highway: Mile 397 (small gravel road) and Mile 400 (Racing River bridge)
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Racing River. Fly fishing from July to September is the preferred method here.
Toad River
Location: Mile 411-420
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Toad River. Excellent fishing from July to September. Numerous access points. Spin or fly fishing
Muncho Lake
Location: Mile 437
Type of Fish: Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden, Whitefish
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Munch Lake. This is THE place for Lake Trout fishing in the region. Deep, clear blue Muncho Lake offers up to 50 lb Lake Trout as well as many other fish species. Two campgrounds with boat launches, an RV park, two motels and restaurants make this a great spot for a fishing holiday. Suggested fishing from late June through September (June-July best) with spoons, spinners, diving plug or weighted spoons.
Trout River
Location: Mile 457-471
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling, Whitefish
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in rout River. Multiple access points to this river. Prochniak Bridge at Mile 461 is a good access point.
Liard River
Location: Mile 477 -605 (Yukon Border)
Type of Fish: Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden, Whitefish
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Liard River. Good fishing where tributaries flow into the Liard.
Teeter Creek
Location: Mile 483 on the Alaska Highway. Accessible by short, 1.2km, hike.
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Teeter Creek. Fish in the small pool at the bottom of the falls.
Smith River Falls
Location: Access by a 2.6 km 2×2 road at Mile 495 on the Alaska Highway
Type of Fish: Arctic Grayling
Description: Alaska Highway Fishing in Smith River Falls. A 5 minute walk down two sets of long step stairs to the base of a two-tiered waterfall. Best in late summer when water levels recede, revealing a gravel bar for the fly fisherman to stand on.
Header Photo Credit:
Destination BC/Dave Heath