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Paxson Lake

Paxson Lake is a lake in Alaska, near Copper River County.

Live lake forecast

Paxson Lake Fishing Weather

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Fish species in Paxson Lake

Official stocking history

Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.

Paxson is a good choice when you want lake-trout water with a highway campground instead of a charter flight. It is also the starting point for many Gulkana River floats. Decide which outing you're doing, because a lake session and a multi-day river descent need very different preparation.

Lake facts

  • Lake size: Road-access lake at the head of the Gulkana River
  • Fish to target: Lake trout, burbot and Arctic grayling

Where to fish

Fish a spoon or jig along a reachable drop for lake trout, using enough weight to control the presentation. Burbot give you a bottom-fishing option. Grayling belong to the lake-and-outlet system, but check flowing-water rules before following the current into the Gulkana.

Getting on the water

BLM's Paxson Lake Campground is at Richardson Highway Mile 175. It has a boat launch, lake-shore foot access and campsites. The normal operating season is weather dependent, generally around Memorial Day through early September; check before relying on campground water or other services.

More to do at the lake

Camp beside the lake or paddle a manageable stretch near the launch. Ice can linger late in higher-elevation lakes, and fall weather arrives early. For a river float, arrange a proper takeout and study the Gulkana route instead of simply drifting away from the lake.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Arctic Grayling — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Burbot — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Humpback Whitefish — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Lake Trout — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Round Whitefish — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Sockeye Salmon — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Anadromous Waters Catalog

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Chinook Salmon — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Lake Trout — supporting source

    Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Lake Database

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

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