Lake Iliamna

Lake Iliamna sits on the northern end of the Alaska Peninsula. If you travel about 100 miles towards the west from Seldovia, you will find one of the best fishing grounds in Alaska.

Like all great lakes, this one comes with a legend too. The lake's name is historically referred to as the name given to a great black fish known to target the bad people who fish upon its waters, even visiting fishermen from far away lands.

Lake Iliamna draws fishermen from around the world, despite its legendary black fish. Today, fishermen come for other fish such as Rainbow Trout, Pacific Salmon, and Arctic Grayling. For Rainbow Trout, this is a catch and release lake, meaning that the population of Rainbows here are trophy sized. Expect to catch Rainbow Trout in the 15-28 inch range.

Fishing Lake Iliamna

The King Salmon being their freshwater migration in May, and that puts them in the Lake around the first of June. Expect to fish for Kings through at least mid-July.

The Sockeye Salmon, like the Kings, begin migrating in May and peak from June-August.

The Silver Salmon begin to migrate in July and peak from August-October.

Dolly Varden peak from July-September and the Rainbow Trout peak from April through October.

The Arctic Grayling peak twice. Once from April-June, and again from August-October.

Steelhead peak from April-October, but these are much easier to target in the smaller rivers.

Lake Iliamna is home to multiple lodges and due to the outstanding Rainbow Trout fishery, many of the lodges here focus on fly fishing for Rainbow. If by chance you happen to hook that big black fish of legend, it too is catch and release.