Selawik Lake is located near the native village of Selawik, just north of the Seward Peninsula, and connects to the ocean via the Kotzebue Sound. The Alaskan Seward Peninsula was once connected to the Russian Chukotka Peninsula via the Bering Land Bridge. This historically significant formation is theorized to have allowed species from the Old World to colonize the New World. The lake is the third largest in Alaska and encompasses approximately 400 square miles (1036 km2).
Visitors to Selawik Lake and the surrounding wildlife management areas should take care not to trespass on private land belonging to native Alaskan communities who live entirely off of their land. The native village of Selawik supports approximately 850 Iñupiat people that live subsistence lifestyles and have a robust, rich culture. Lake Selawik is in the northern region of Alaska and is regulated differently from other regions. A full list of rules and regulations can be found here.
Fish Species in Selawik Lake
1) Sheefish (Stenodus leucichthys)
The sheefish, also known locally as the inconnu or beloribitsa, is a member of the whitefish subfamily Coregoninae. They are typically over 24 inches (61 cm) but can be longer than 40 inches (102 cm) and weigh up to 60 lbs (27 kgs).
To complete its life cycle, the sheefish must migrate vast distances, sometimes over 1000 miles (1609 km) upstream from their overwintering sites to spawning grounds. In addition, during the Alaskan winter, shallow streams freeze over, so sheefish must find refuge in deeper rivers and lakes as temperatures drop. Unfortunately, the construction of dams throughout their range has prevented annual spawning migrations of sheefish, and the species is considered extinct in the wild. Anglers may still be able to catch one, however, as sheefish are reared in hatcheries and stocked in some Alaskan lakes.
Sheefish filets are white, flakey, and delicious. During the winter, adults can easily be caught underneath the ice of large lakes, and smaller individuals can be seen upstream in the summer. Anglers are limited to 10 sheefish per day; there is no length limit.
2) Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)
The Arctic char is a common and popular sportfish in Alaska. This species is a member of the genus Salvelinus, a salmonid group containing the chars. Artic char have anadromous and landlocked forms and are capable of reproducing in both, unlike some landlocked salmonids which cannot complete their lifecycle without long migrations between the ocean and spawning grounds. Arctic chars are very similar to the Dolly Varden trout (S. malma), but the two species can be easily told apart during the breeding season. Arctic char have forked tails and large spots on their bodies, whereas Dolly Varden trout have blunt tails and small, more numerous spots.
The range of the Arctic char encompasses subarctic waters, meaning that they occupy waters just south of the North Pole. They consume aquatic invertebrates and small fish, such as other salmon species and sticklebacks. Feeding occurs at night and during the day.
Anglers are allowed to harvest a combined 2 Arctic char and Dolly Varden per day from Selawik Lake.
3) Dolly Varden trout (Salvelinus malma)
This next char is a close relative of the Arctic char and can be found throughout most of Alaska. There has been some contention as to whether the Dolly Varden is its own species or a subspecies of the Arctic char. Currently, it is recognized as a separate species. Dolly Varden trout are freshwater salmonids with green dorsal surfaces and light bellies. Numerous spots populate the body. The Dolly Varden and Arctic char ranges overlap, and they are often confused with one another. In Dolly Varden, breeding adults have hooked lower jaws, deep green dorsal surfaces, and striking red bellies. Their tails are slightly forked, and their spots are smaller than Arctic char.
Dolly Varden seems to prefer insects and other aquatic invertebrates over fish. There are two forms of the Dolly Varden, a northern and a southern form which differ slightly in appearance and have different numbers of chromosomes. On average, a northern Dolly Varden may grow 30 inches (76.2 cm) in length and live up to 16 years. Conversely, the southern form grows to about 28 inches (71 cm) and lives for eight years. These two “forms” may be two different species.
The Dolly Varden is one of the most popular sport fish in Alaska. With their large size and tasty filets, they are sure to delight any angler willing to brave the cold wilds of Alaska. Anglers are allowed to harvest a combined 2 Arctic char and Dolly Varden per day from Selawik Lake.
4) Burbot (Lota lota)
The burbot is a cod-like species commonly referred to as ling. This fish tends to be long and snake-like with smooth skin and a single chin barbel. As a result, it can be confused with freshwater eels and catfish. A burbot lacks the adipose fin seen in most catfish and has two dorsal fins, whereas an eel only has one, continuous fin along its back. The average size of a burbot is between 16 and 24 inches (41 – 61 cm). The second dorsal fin and anal fin run almost half the length of its body. While it can live in the ocean, the burbot is remarkable because it is the only cod species that is almost exclusively freshwater.
They prefer cold water, including large rivers, lakes, or reservoirs, and are a bit reclusive, hiding amongst rocks and vegetation. Burbot is primarily nocturnal, so a fisherman looking to catch one should aim to do so at night. Young burbots consume invertebrates, while adults are aggressive carnivores.
The burbot is sometimes caught and eaten. Its flesh is not as flaky as char but it can be cooked in dishes such as the poor man’s lobster. There is a daily limit of 15 burbot at Selawik Lake.
5) Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
This next species has an appearance akin to the small sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) but Arctic graylings are much larger and prefer far colder habitats. Arctic graylings come in various colors, but their most distinctive feature is their large, sail-like dorsal fin. Despite their odd appearance, they are members of the salmon family. They are common in Alaska and found in Becharof Lake and connected streams. This species reaches maturity between 4 and 7 years of age. Adults will migrate from lakes into streams to spawn.
The winter is a time of energy conservation for many animals, the Arctic grayling included. They have several behavioral and physiological adaptations that allow them to survive when water temperatures are freezing, and food is scarce. They can also tolerate low oxygen conditions, enabling them to survive in frozen lakes. They are most active in the summer. Aggressive predators primarily consume aquatic insects, but they will eat just about any type of prey item.
Anglers may harvest up to five Arctic graylings per day from Selawik Lake.
6) Northern pike (Esox lucius)
Northern pikes are large ambush predators with an arrow-like or sagittiform body shape. They have an average length of around 16 inches (41 cm), although some individuals can grow more than 40 inches (102 cm). Their mottled green coloration helps them hide amongst aquatic vegetation. This species has a white belly with grey to green colored sides and distinctive white blotching. Their fins sometimes bear a hint of orange.
This species is common in lakes and reservoirs and migrates to streams to spawn. Eggs are broadcast over weed beds between March and May. During the breeding season, it is best to target northern pike in streams and shorelines; otherwise, they are commonly found near areas with dense submerged vegetation.
Pikes are notoriously aggressive, making them a delight on the line and a danger to hold in your hands. Their mouths are filled with sharp teeth that can cause serious injury if allowed to bite an angler, so they should be handled with care and respect. White or yellow lures work best for northern pike, and anglers can use a variety of bait, including live fish like small sunfish, suckers, or locally available baitfish. Anglers may harvest up to 10 fish per day from Selawik Lake.
7) Cisco (Coregonus artedi)
Cisco, also called lake herring or tulibee, are silver, salmon-like fish found throughout most of Canada and the northern United States. They are an important winter food source for sheefish. They were historically harvested in the Great Lakes as a commercial fishery, providing a critical source of food for locals. However, in the 1900s, they were exploited to near extinction. Other factors like pollution and habitat loss also played a role in the decline of cisco. While some regions have observed a resurgence in cisco populations because of conservation efforts, reductions are still observed in some areas. In Alaska, the cisco is abundant and usually referred to as the lake herring.
As a predator defense, cisco will form large schools that help them evade larger fish. As water temperatures decrease, cisco spawning is triggered and cisco will form large congregations to scatter their eggs and milt over spawning sites, usually of rocks or large gravel beds. The spawning season for this species coincides with feeding periods for other large gamefish like trout, pikes, and perches. These species rely on the abundance of eggs and young cisco as a food source.
Fishing for cisco is relatively easy, and the best time to fish for them is during the winter when the lakes freeze over.
