Apart from the species typically targeted by anglers along the road system, a few others do not seem to attract very much attention. Arctic grayling, whitefish, northern pike, and burbot are present in varying degrees of abundance but do not play a significant role due to several factors, including general diminutive physical size compared to other species, poor angler access to productive waters, small populations, and/or a general lack of aggressive attitude towards artificial lures and flies. For the most part these species will remain incidental encounters. However, targeting these species with success is possible for anglers willing to put in the time and effort.
Arctic Grayling
Common Name: Grayling, sailfin
General Timing: April to October
Typical Size: 7 to 15 inches, up to 20 inches
State Record: 5 pounds, 1 ounce
Best Areas: Rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes
Preferred Methods: Spin-casting and fly-fishing
Standard Gear: Ultra light rod/reel; 2- to 4-lb test
Top Tackle: Spinners and flies
The only representative species of the grayling family in Alaska, these fish are typically found in clear and clean inland waters. Arctic grayling has earned a solid reputation among anglers as being a superb game fish due to its aerial antics and aggressiveness towards artificial lures and flies.
Northern Pike
Common Name: Pike
General Timing: April to December
Typical Size: 3 to 12 pounds, up to 20 pounds
State Record: 38 pounds, 8 ounces
Best Areas: Rivers, sloughs, ponds, and lakes
Preferred Methods: Spin/bait-casting and fly-fishing
Standard Gear: Medium/light rod/reel; 6- to 14-lb test
Top Tackle: Spoons, spinners, plugs, flies, and bait
Northern pike is a popular game fish but not found in any great abundance in proximity of roads and highways of Southcentral; there are a few productive but isolated populations in various small lakes accessible by car yet none of the famous hot spots in Southcentral support viable numbers of pike. Anglers wishing to target pike in this region of Alaska should consider one of several remote fisheries instead, such as those of Susitna Valley. The Interior, however, supports good populations along the road system.
Whitefish
Common Name: Cisco
General Timing: July to November
Typical Size: 10 to 20 inches, up to 6 pounds
State Record: 9 pounds, 0 ounces
Best Areas: Rivers, streams, and lakes
Preferred Methods: Spin/bait-casting and fly-fishing
Standard Gear: Light/ultra light rod/reel; 3- to 6-lb test
Top Tackle: Spoons, flies, and bait
There are several species of whitefish in Alaska, including cisco, but only a few enter the sport fishery to any extent. By far the most common species in Southcentral Alaska is the round whitefish but multiple other species are present in the Interior.
Burbot
Common Name: Ling
General Timing: August to March
Typical Size: 2 to 12 pounds, up to 20 pounds
State Record: 24 pounds, 12 ounces
Best Areas: Rivers, sloughs, ponds, and lakes
Preferred Methods: Spin/bait-casting
Standard Gear: Medium rod/reel; 8- to 14-lb test
Top Tackle: Spoons, jigs, and bait
Burbot are quite abundant wherever found but the methods used to catch them are generally not compatible with what the majority of anglers look for when fishing with a rod and reel. As a food fish, however, it is superb.