Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Slope

August Season

Note: Presence of a particular fish species does not necessarily mean that it is legal to fish for that species. In addition, some waters have terminal tackle restrictions and all have bag and possession limits that may differ between drainages. Please consult current sport fishing regulations for the waters in which you plan to fish.

Sometimes sport fishing regulations are modified inseason, usually in the case of salmon. Please review these “Emergency Orders” prior to wetting your line.

North Slope

Fishing for lake trout, Arctic grayling, and Arctic char can be good throughout August, although high water from frequent August rains can make streams difficult to fish. Lake trout in lakes along the Dalton Highway don’t get very big, although 10-12 pound fish can be caught in larger lakes such as Galbraith and Toolik. Be sure to identify what you are catching, as Arctic char and lake trout look very similar and the sport regulations regarding these two species are different. A few burbot can be caught in the Sagavanirktok, Colville, and Ivishak rivers, as well as Galbraith and Toolik lakes. Spawning runs of Dolly Varden are in the rivers now, particularly in the Ivishak, Colville, Canning, Hulahula, and Kongakut rivers. These fish average 3-6 pounds and can be quite aggressive, readily striking spoons, spinners, and large green jigs. Large sinking flash-flies also work well. Towards the end of August, larger groups of non-spawning, overwintering Dolly Varden enter these rivers and fishing for them can be good right until freeze-up.