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 Big Lake
Recreation area one hour from Anchorage off Mile 52.3 Parks Highway. Fishing and boating opportunities abound here.
In the 1890's the Iditarod Trail,
which was heavily used by miners on their way to and from Nome, passed
only 2 miles south of Big Lake. The region was first homesteaded in
1916. Right past Wasilla, it now sits on on a spur road at Mile 52.3 of
the Parks
Highway, an hour's drive from Anchorage. It offers boating and year-round fishing.
Big
Lake's 50 miles of shoreline and proximity to Anchorage still draws
fishermen and boaters. It has not gone through its long history without
a few close scrapes, however.
Several
years ago, a massive forest fire (believed to be started by fireworks)
swept through the Big Lake region, and hundreds of people living around
Big Lake were left without homes. There is still evidence of the
charred forests as you travel down Big Lake Road. Now, almost a decade
later, most homes have been rebuilt, and Big Lake continues in its role
as a summer playground. And by the way, if you want to sound local, put
the accent on the first syllable when you talk about "BIG Lake!" |
 Willow
At Willow, you’ll find a second access road to Hatcher Pass. It is 32 miles from here to the
state historic park.
Willow
started as a support community for the area’s hard rock mines. Today,
its lakes and streams make it a recreational center for Alaskans.
Many Iditarod mushers live and train their dogs in this part of the state. For the last two years, the Iditarod
Race restart was held in Willow, because there wasn’t enough snow in Wasilla.
(Photo, Vern Halter) |

Mat-Su Valley Fishing
There are 500 miles of official recreation rivers in the Mat-Su Valley.
Six
major large rivers are known for their accessibility, fishing, plane
and boat charter services, and wildlife viewing. They are: The Little
Susitna River, the Deshka River, the Talkeetna River, the Talachulitna
River, Lake Creek and Alexander Creek.
All of these rivers are close to Anchorage. If you enjoy fishing on small lakes, there are lots of lakes in the
Palmer-Wasilla area that are filled with plump rainbow trout.
There’s easy access to roadside lakes north of Wasilla too.
Big Lake and the Nancy Lake Recreation Area have many small lakes with grayling and rainbows, as well as some northern
pike.
There are canoe trails at Nancy Lake. |
 Fishing on the Way to Talkeetna
On the drive north to Talkeetna, you’ll cross several good salmon streams.
At Mile 57, the Little Susitna River has June king salmon fishing, and silvers in late July & August.
In Willow, at Mile 70, there’s access to Willow Creek, Little Willow Creek and Deshka Landing.
Sheep Creek is at Mile 86, and Montana Creek is at Mile 96.3.
These streams have kings, silvers, rainbows and grayling. |
 Fishing Tips: Know Your Salmon
Parks Highway rivers have good salmon fishing. Although you can use guides, there are also good roadside fishing spots.
Ask locally.
Meanwhile, here’s how to identify your salmon:
King Salmon (Also known as “Chinook”). Big, 16 to 40 lbs, use 20-30 lb. test line. Run
in June and July.
Silver Salmon (“Coho). 8 to 12 lbs., bright silver. State record is 26 lbs. Run in August.
Red Salmon (“Sockeye”). 6 to 8 lbs. Single hook streamer flies of various colors. Keep
your streamer near the bottom, let it “bump” along. Reds run in July and August.
Pink Salmon (“Humpies”). Smallest salmon, 3 to 5 lbs. Use Pixies or Mepps. Run in July.
Chum Salmon (“Dog Salmon”). 7 to 8 lbs. Good for smoking. |
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WASILLA, KNIK, BIG LAKE, WILLOW AND
HOUSTON are stretched along the Parks Highway 43 to 98 miles north of Anchorage. These areas blend into each other in
a sprawling new community.
Farther up the Parks Highway, the people thin out. There are lakes, creeks, dog kennels, and recreational sites.

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ESPRESSO 101
Thirty
years ago a “cup of coffee” in rural Alaska meant something that had
stood for hours – or a spoonful of instant powder in a cup of warm
water. An open can of evaporated milk stood by on many a lodge table,
to spruce up the coffee.
But
now, you can’t travel very far in any part of remotest Alaska without
running into an espresso stand that serves latte, double latte, mocha
(cold and hot), 20 different flavors, and cappuccino.
In the gold rush, many miners came by way of Seattle. That coastal city’s hold on Alaska proved itself
a decade ago, when the first espresso stands came north from Seattle, America’s espresso capital. |
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Boating on Big Lake
This State of Alaska website offers sound boating safety advice for Big
Lake and Alaska's other, often dangerous lakes, streams and rivers. |
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