Do I need a fishing license?

Yes. A current State of Alaska fishing license is required for anyone keeping fish; purchase one ahead of time via Alaska Fish and Game.

What is the minimum age?

Minimum age is 18 for this outing.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Yes, provided your catch falls within Alaska Fish and Game size and bag limits you are free to keep and take home.

What happens if I need to cancel?

This is a free event; organizers request at least 48 hours notice so they can refill your spot.

Is the activity accessible for people with limited mobility?

Terrain is on frozen lake ice and packed snow; contact the operator in advance to discuss specific accessibility needs.

Ice Fishing 101 at Finger Lake State Recreation Area — Beginner Ice Fishing Near Wasilla, AK | Fishing | Winter Activities

Q: Is gear provided?

Yes—heated tent, chairs, fishing poles, bait, snacks, and hot drinks are included.

Ice Fishing 101 at Finger Lake State Recreation Area, just outside Wasilla, Alaska, is a compact, hands-on introduction to winter angling and cold-weather fieldcraft. Offered by Revel Treks and Tours with Adventures By True North AK, this two-hour session drops you onto solid lake ice, into a heated tent, and beside a simple hole where you can feel the slow tug of an Arctic trout or grayling. The meeting point is Finger Lake State Recreation Area (7287 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla, AK 99654), a glacially carved lake rimmed by spruce and birch with views that read like an atlas of the Alaska Range.

The class serves beginners: instructors explain basic ice safety, how to read ice thickness and avoid weak spots, and the mechanics of setting up a portable shelter and tip-up. All gear is provided—heated tent, chairs, fishing poles, bait, snacks, and hot drinks—so your main job is to dress warm and pay attention. Any fish you legally keep, within Alaska Fish and Game limits, are yours to take home. The team limits groups to 12, keeping instruction personal and the rhythm relaxed.

This place feels different from summer fishing holes. The lake’s frozen surface is a plain of slate glass that reflects cloud and treeline; the shoreline is punctuated by spruce mounds and the crunchy silhouettes of snowshoers in the distance. Geologically, Finger Lake is a glacially carved basin — the bedrock and moraine beneath the ice direct where anglers drill and tents are pitched. Ecologically expect hardy boreal plants and the occasional arctic fox tracks; moose and wolves use the corridor seasonally.

Practical notes: bring a current State of Alaska fishing license; wear insulated layers, snow pants, sturdy boots, and sunglasses for glare. The outing also touches on fish cleaning and packing, so you leave with both meat and know-how. This session pairs well with more formal avalanche training offered locally by Alaska Avalanche School and the Alaska Guide Collective if you intend to travel further into backcountry snow.

For travelers based in Wasilla or the Mat-Su Valley, Ice Fishing 101 compresses a lot of winter learning into a short, accessible experience. It’s not only about catching fish—it’s about learning to judge ice, manage a tiny field camp, and read an Alaskan winter landscape with confidence. Whether you’re curious about a new seasonal sport or planning longer cold-weather trips, this course gives you the practical foundation and a cold cup of success to take home. Be sure to sign the Adventures by True North AK Liability Waiver prior to the event, and note that this outing is free but please notify organizers at least 48 hours in advance if you cancel, so they can fill your seat.