Ice fishing is something many have only seen in photographs. In northern places, people who love fishing head out onto the thick, solid ice to battle the winter. They put up a tent, drill a hole in the ice and wait for the fish under the ice to seek the bait in the dark, cold water. This time-honored Alaska tradition is a way of bonding during the long, cold hours of waiting for fish. But modern tents and heaters make ice fishing more of a luxurious party than a freezing chore. Try ice fishing for a fantastic winter day trip in Alaska.

For the ultimate adventure, fish all night under the aurora for an Alaskan experience you'll never forget.
Rod's Alaskan Guide Service Official Website
Experiencing all of the fun outdoor activities Alaska has to offer will make your winter one thousand times better. Visitors and residents alike should try ice fishing because it's fun to try something new surrounded by the beauty that Alaska is so well known for.
It's fun, easy, and a great way to spend time with friends and family. Conditions vary by year and area of the state, but for most of Mainland Alaska, you can ice fish from December through March on the lakes and rivers.
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
The process involves heading out to a frozen body of water and drilling a hole in the ice. The giant ice drills are specifically designed for the task.
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
Some people, and tour guides, have deluxe little ice fishing houses built that they haul across the ice each winter to a spot for comfort and warmth for ice fishing all winter long.
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
But modern pop-up tents and generator-powered heaters can create a warm spot for fishing on the ice in no time.
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
Before you know it, you'll have caught some delicious fish!
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
Winter traps some king and silver salmon under the ice as well as rainbow trout, Arctic char – Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. Some of the lakes are stocked, so they are good bets for ice fishing. Just ask the locals where the best spots are and you'll be pulling in fish left and right.
You can grill up your fresh catch and enjoy the best in fresh Alaska fish, and it is all the better when you caught it yourself in a glorious Alaskan locale.
Alaska Wilderness Enterprises Official Website
1. Anchorage Area
Anchorage, AK, USA
Dan Love | Flickr
Great lakes for ice fishing include Jewel, Mirror, Beach, Clunie, Otter, DeLong, Sand, and Green Lake in the Southcentral area. The season ends in late March, so beware of thin ice as spring progresses.

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2. Matanuska-Susitna Area
Matanuska-Susitna, AK, USA
Travis | Flickr
Matanuska & Upper Susitna Valley offers the Big Lake system, Nancy Lake System, Kepler-Bradley lakes, Petersville Road lakes, Wasilla, Red Shirt, Long,
 Seventeen Mile, Benka, Christiansen, Carpenter, Memory, Diamond, Chelatna, Clarence, and Stephan Lakes.
3. Kenai Peninsula Area
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska 99610, USA
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Flickr
In the beautiful Kenai Peninsula head to Summit, Trail, Kenai, Hidden, and Skilak Lakes, Swanson 
River Road Lakes, Swan Lake Road & Canoe System Lakes.
4. Glennallen & Copper Valley Area
Glennallen & Copper Valley, AK, USA
Travis | Flickr
This beautiful area is full of perfect lakes for ice fishing including Louise/Susitna, Crosswind, Deep, Fish, Tolsona, Paxton, Summit, Tonsina, Strelna, Silver, Van, Copper, Tanada, and Long Lakes. Book a cabin in Copper Valley for a fishing getaway.
5. Tanana Valley Area, Interior
Tanana Valley, Alaska 99714, USA
Arctic Warrior | Flickr
Head to Tangle, Minto, and Tetlin Lakes systems; Harding, Birch,
 Quartz, Geskakmina, Dune, Otto, Rainbow, Craig, Koole, and Bolio Lakes for ice fishing fun outside of Fairbanks.
6. Fairbanks Area
Fairbanks, AK, USA
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Head out on the many frozen lakes in the Fairbanks area including Chena, Polaris, Ballaine, Moose, Grayling, and 28 
Mile Pond.
7. Northwest Area
Northwest Area, AK, USA
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Go to Walker, Feniak, Wild and Selawik Lakes, and Hotham Inlet for the Spring Sheefish. The season goes through April in the North.
8. Arctic Area
Arctic Area, AK, USA
Cait | Flickr
In the far north, head to Teshekpuk, Elusive, Galbraith, Chandler, Old John, Chandalar, and
 Bob Johnson Lakes. The arctic area of Alaska is pristine and beautiful.
9. Bristol Bay Area
Bristol Bay Borough, AK, USA
Western Arctic National Parklands | Flickr
In the southwest, head to Wood-Tikchik Lakes, Lake Clark, Headwater Lakes, Togiak River, Kanektok River, and the Katmai Lakes.

Find out everything you need to know about gear and equipment here. Find the stocked lakes in your area through the Department of Fish and Game. Find out about renting ice fishing equipment or taking a tour at:

Fishtale River Guides (Little Susitna River)
AK River Tours (Statewide)
Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service (Fairbanks/North Pole)
1st Alaska Outdoor School (Fairbanks)
Jason’s Guide Service (Cooper Landing)

If you love fishing, check out the world’s most dangerous job found here in Alaska. Or you may want to visit these nine amazing spots in Alaska that are perfect to go fishing.

Ice fishing in Alaska is one of those experiences you just have to put on your bucket list. Even if you don’t catch anything it’s something not everyone can claim to have done. Have you been ice fishing in Alaska? Share your experience with us in the comments.

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More to Explore

What's Up with Alaska Ice Fishing?

Chris Muras | November 29, 2022

Which month is the best for ice fishing in Alaska?

You would think ice fishing in Alaska would be a year-round activity, and in some places in Northern Alaska, it can be. But there are actual ice fishing seasons in many parts of Alaska. The best time to go ice fishing is late November until about mid-January.

What fish do you catch ice fishing in Alaska?

Many lakes in Alaska are stocked with fish so they have a diverse population of game fish. Even landlocked king and silver salmon are known to be trapped under the ice occasionally. Here are some of the most popular fish species that you can expect to catch ice fishing in Alaska:

  • Rainbow trout
  • Arctic Grayling
  • Lake trout
  • Arctic char
  • Northern pike
  • Coho salmon
  • Chinook salmon
  • Burbot

How much does it cost to ice fish in Alaska?

If you aren't up for the challenge of setting off on your own to find the best ice-fishing spots in Alaska you can charter a guided fishing expedition. A simple lake trip might only be around $80 per person. But chartered trips can run several hundred per person depending on where you want to go. Expect to pay extra for "Aurora" ice fishing trips to fish under the stunning Aurora Borealis - the experience is amazing so it's definitely worth the extra expense. You'll also need an Alaskan sport fishing license which will be in the $100 range as well. There is also an additional requirement if you intend to go after wild king salmon. A king salmon stamp runs another $75.

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