Fishing

A slimy sculpin in Eldorado Creek. Many waterways in Denali are silty, and poor fish habitat, but clear creeks and streams are good places to look for fish.

NPS Photo / Shannon Coykendall

 

Where to Fish

The most easily-accessed parts of Denali National Park are not noted for fishing. Most streams and lakes have a lot of glacial silt, resulting in poor fish habitat.

However, for those willing to scout for clear creeks and ponds deep enough not to freeze solid during the winter, a few fish may be caught.

Licenses

No license is required in the former Mount McKinley National Park. A current sport fishing license issued by the state of Alaska is required for fishing in the new park additions and the preserve.

Regulations

Within the former Mount McKinley National Park, the catch limit per person per day is 10 fish, but not to exceed 10 lbs and one (1) fish, except that the catch limit for lake trout (Mackinaw) per person per day is 2 fish, including those hooked and released. Possession of more than one (1) day's limit of catch by one person at any one time is prohibited. State of Alaska sport fishing regulations apply in the new park additions and the preserve.

Prohibitions

1. Fishing in any manner other than by hook and line with rod or line being closely attended.
2. Possessing or using live or dead minnows or other bait, fish, amphibians, non-preserved fish eggs or fish roe.
3. Chumming or placing preserved or fresh eggs, fish roe, food, fish parts, chemicals, or other foreign substances in the water for purpose of feeding or attracting fish so that they may be taken.
4. Commercial fishing
5. Fishing by use of drugs, poisons, explosives or electricity.
6. Digging for bait.
7. Failing to return immediately to the water from which it was taken, a fish that a person chooses not to keep. Fish so released shall not be included in the catch or possession limit provided that at the time of catching, the person did not possess the legal limit of fish (except for lake trout).
8. Disposing of fish remains on either land or water within developed areas, for reasons of public health and safety.

The recommended best practice for disposal of fish remains in the backcountry is disposing of fish remains back into the water to minimize fish odors on land. This enhances safety for both visitors and wildlife, particularly near backcountry campsites.

Though not banned, lead tackle is discouraged. Please keep Denali's water free of lead contamination by using non-lead tackle.

Fishing Regulations Map

The light green area in the map below illustrates the boundaries of what was once known as Mount McKinley National Park. (Congress expanded the park in 1980, and renamed it to Denali). State fishing regulations do not apply in this area. This section of the park is where you'll find most of the Denali Park Road (from the park entrance to Wonder Lake) and various trails, visitor centers, and other infrastructure, and is the area where most visitors will try to fish because it is the easiest to access.

The dark green areas illustrate the new park additions and preserves to the north and south, including the end of the park road past Wonder Lake to Kantishna. State fishing regulations do apply in these areas. Additional maps and information about State of Alaska fishing regulations are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

 

 

A map of fishing regulations and license requirements in the former Mount McKinley National park, new park additions, and preserves.

NPS Map