Grouse Lake

The feel

Grouse Lake is reached from the Seward Highway at Mile 7.4. It is a Dolly Varden lake, and the fish arrive and leave in large schools. During the open water season the best fishing comes when they enter in August-September and exit from mid-May through early June.

In winter the lake turns to ice fishing, with the best stretch from December through early April. Just up the highway, Grouse Creek follows the road north of Mile 8.0, where you can see spawning pinks in July-August and silvers in September-October from several small turnouts.

What to expect

Water and access

A lake reached from the Seward Highway at Mile 7.4.

Species and timing

Dolly Varden. May-June and Aug.-Sept. in open water, as the fish exit and enter; December through early April for ice fishing.

Methods and gear

For ice fishing, try single salmon eggs or small lures. Take care not to snag or foul hook the fish, because they migrate in large schools.

License and rules

Salmon fishing is prohibited in all lakes of the Resurrection Bay area (south of Mile 12 Seward Highway).

Season and access

Dolly Varden are in the lake for the entire year in the area-lake listing. Open water fishing is best mid-May through early June and August-September; ice fishing runs December through early April.

Mingo says

Time your trip to the Dolly Varden runs. That is when the fish move through the lake in large schools.

Before you go

• Call the Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218, M-F 8am - 5 pm, except on state and federal holidays.
• Pack single salmon eggs or small lures.
• Watch your hooks around the schools so you do not snag or foul hook fish.

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