Old John Lake

The Alaska record places Old John Lake, a lake, in Yukon-Koyukuk (CA), Alaska.

Use the shape you can see at Old John Lake: check the best cover, the first drop, and one open-water line before moving.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Old John Lake include Arctic Grayling, Burbot, Humpback Whitefish, Lake Trout, and Slimy Sculpin.

At Old John Lake, for arctic grayling, use a small dry fly, nymph, spinner, or spoon near moving water and surface insects.

For lake trout, jig a spoon or tube on cold rocky structure, or troll a minnow lure at the depth holding fish at Old John Lake.

On Old John Lake, for burbot, fish a heavy jig or natural bait on the bottom during cold, low-light periods.

For humpback whitefish, jig a small fly or compact bait close to firm bottom in cold water at Old John Lake.

How to Read the Water

Around Old John Lake, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.

Season by Season

For a trip to Old John Lake, in spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.

A Simple Tackle Plan

When fishing Old John Lake, a light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control.

At Old John Lake, record the wind, water color, depth where fish were holding, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.