Coal Mine Road Lakes

The feel

The eight small lakes on Coal Mine Road sit 22 miles south of Delta Junction, and all are managed as recreational fisheries stocked with at least two species of game fish. The largest lake is Coal Mine #5 at 13 acres, and the rest average about 5 acres. Most of them lie a short distance off the road, with Dick's Pond a 400 yard trail and Ken's Pond a 600 yard trail. There are no facilities, and the campsites are limited and quite primitive.

What to expect

Water and access

Lake water. Turn east off the Richardson Highway at mile 242.1 and take the gravel road 1.5 miles to the fork. The east (left) fork leads to Coal Mine #5 Lake and Backdown Lake. The south (right) fork leads to the other five lakes.

Species and timing

Year round. Arctic char, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling and lake trout, depending on the lake. Every lake is stocked with at least two species, and the lake trout remain from past stockings.

Methods and gear

Egg-sucking leeches, muddler minnows, wooly worms and shrimp flies, spinners and small spoons, or still fishing with salmon eggs, night crawlers and shrimp. In summer the fish go deeper; in spring and fall look along the shoreline.

Hazards

The road is not maintained and not suitable for large motorhomes. In winter, lake ice does not freeze evenly across the surface.

Bathrooms and water

No facilities in the area.

Season and access

Year round for fishing. Drifting snow closes the road to highway vehicles until mid June. Winter ice fishing is good, and three inches of good lake ice will normally support one person on foot.

Mingo says

Drive in after mid June, once the drifting snow has cleared the road. In winter, go for the ice fishing instead.

Before you go

• Leave a large motorhome at home, since the road is not maintained.
• Pack everything for a primitive camp, because the area has no facilities.
• Call ADF&G in Delta at 907-895-4632 for more information.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.