Donnelly Lake

The feel

Donnelly Lake is a small stocked rainbow trout lake in the Donnelly Dome area. A short trail leaves the Richardson Highway on the east side of the road and reaches the water in about 0.5 miles.

There are no facilities at the lake. You fish from the bank with light spinning gear or a fly rod, and crowds are low. Rainbow trout are the stocked fish here.

What to expect

Water and access

Mile 244.6 Richardson Highway, trail on the east side of the road, about 0.5 miles to the lake.

Species and timing

Stocked rainbow trout, May through September.

Methods and gear

Bank fishing with light spinning gear or a fly rod.

License and rules

Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake. Check current stocked-lake limits before you go.

Crowds and best time

Crowds are low.

Bathrooms and water

No facilities.

Season and access

Open water May through September.

Mingo says

Pick any day from May through September, since the trout are stocked for the whole open-water window. The trail is short, so this works for a quick outing.

Before you go

• Look for the trail on the east side of the Richardson Highway at Mile 244.6.
• Check the current stocked-lake limits for the Tanana River Drainage.
• Bring your own supplies, because there are no facilities.

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