Harding Lake

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 7

Harding Lake is a pristine 2,192-acre glacial lake located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough of Interior Alaska, approximately 54 kilometers southeast of Fairbanks via the Richardson Highway. As one of Alaska's premier roadside fishing destinations, this deep, clear lake reaches maximum depths of 141 feet and sits at an elevation of 715 feet. The lake is fed by three small unnamed creeks and features a diverse aquatic ecosystem supporting both native and stocked fish populations. Established as a State Recreation Area in 1967, Harding Lake offers excellent year-round fishing opportunities in a stunning wilderness setting surrounded by forested hills and the lowlands of the Salcha Valley.

Alaska licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Harding Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

Burbot

Lota lota

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Chum Salmon

Oncorhynchus keta

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Lake Trout8,904 fish · 5.3 inSep 22, 2026
Lake Trout3,846 fish · 5.2 inSep 15, 2026
Arctic Char1,682 fish · 10.5 inJun 2, 2026
Arctic Char862 fish · 10.5 inJun 2, 2026
Arctic Char2,454 fish · 10.4 inJun 2, 2026

Source

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Harding Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Harding Lake Campground

Campsite

Salcha River Campground

Campsite

Know where you can legally fish on Harding Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Alaska licenses and regulations

Alaska Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Alaska Fishing License

All residents age 18 or older and nonresidents age 16 or older must purchase and possess a sport fishing license to participate in Alaska sport and personal use fisheries. In addition, a king salmon stamp is required to fish for king salmon (except king salmon in stocked lakes). These laws apply in both fresh and marine waters.

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Alaska Fishing Regulations

This state has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this state is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Alaska Stream Access Laws

The Alaska Constitution and state statutes protect the public's right to use navigable or public waters. Under Alaska law, ownership of uplands adjacent to navigable or public water does not grant an exclusive right to use the water or to control public use of the water, even if the title includes the submerged land

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Take Harding Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Harding Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Harding Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.