Harding Lake fishing

Harding Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Coho Salmon, Sheefish, Arctic Grayling, and 2 more on a natural lake. Also recorded: Northern Pike and Burbot. It is stocked about 3.5 times a year since 1956, most often in June and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout, dawn for Lake Trout, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.

Last stocked: September 15, 2026; Sep 15 · Lake Trout
Plants on record: 249; Since 1956
Species stocked: 8 (+2 also recorded)
Average size: 4.9 in
Elevation: 715 ft

Fish at Harding Lake

8 stocked · 2 confirmed present

Arctic Char Stocked · 109 plants · last June 2, 2026

Last stocked June 2, 2026 · avg 7.1 in · 109 plants

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 38 plants · last July 23, 2020 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked July 23, 2020 · avg 3.3 in · 38 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Sheefish Stocked · 32 plants · last March 21, 1989

Last stocked March 21, 1989 · avg 4.7 in · 32 plants

Coho Salmon Stocked · 26 plants · last June 7, 2016

Last stocked June 7, 2016 · avg 2.1 in · 26 plants

Coho Salmon species guide

Arctic Grayling Stocked · 23 plants · last June 24, 1992

Last stocked June 24, 1992 · avg 2.2 in · 23 plants

Arctic Grayling species guide

Lake Trout Stocked · 13 plants · last September 15, 2026 Best: dawn

Last stocked September 15, 2026 · avg 5.2 in · 13 plants

Best: dawn

Lake Trout species guide

Sockeye Salmon Stocked · 5 plants · last August 2, 1990

Last stocked August 2, 1990 · avg 1.2 in · 5 plants

Steelhead Stocked · 3 plants · last August 26, 1959

Last stocked August 26, 1959 · avg 1.6 in · 3 plants

Steelhead species guide

Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Northern Pike species guide

Burbot Confirmed present Best: dusk, night

Best: dusk, night

Burbot species guide

Harding Lake is a lake in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Interior Alaska. The lake contains a wide variety of native and stocked [ 2 ] fish, including Arctic char , burbot , Arctic grayling , and northern pike , as well as several salmon and trout species. The lake is frozen from late autumn to late spring. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

How Harding Lake is stocked

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

No plants recorded in 17 years between 1956 and 2026.

Fish stocked in 1956

37,000

Fish stocked in 1958

14,900

Fish stocked in 1959

46,050

Fish stocked in 1960

107,400

Fish stocked in 1963

252

Fish stocked in 1965

235

Fish stocked in 1967

31,000

Fish stocked in 1968

221,200

Fish stocked in 1969

338,500

Fish stocked in 1971

232,800

Fish stocked in 1973

168,850

Fish stocked in 1975

379,900

Fish stocked in 1976

697,500

Fish stocked in 1977

468,262

Fish stocked in 1978

510,843

Fish stocked in 1981

32,165

Fish stocked in 1982

172,105

Fish stocked in 1984

211,641

Fish stocked in 1986

355,357

Fish stocked in 1987

1,874,812

Fish stocked in 1988

2,012,284

Fish stocked in 1989

874,791

Fish stocked in 1990

1,930,049

Fish stocked in 1991

1,891,128

Fish stocked in 1992

939,705

Fish stocked in 1993

10,000

Fish stocked in 1994

10,000

Fish stocked in 1995

9,990

Fish stocked in 1996

10,700

Fish stocked in 1997

10,029

Fish stocked in 1999

33,702

Fish stocked in 2000

4,021

Fish stocked in 2001

19,441

Fish stocked in 2002

5,419

Fish stocked in 2003

30,343

Fish stocked in 2005

11,738

Fish stocked in 2006

26,307

Fish stocked in 2007

14,623

Fish stocked in 2008

30,201

Fish stocked in 2009

11,548

Fish stocked in 2011

6,874

Fish stocked in 2012

12,757

Fish stocked in 2013

10,002

Fish stocked in 2015

19,938

Fish stocked in 2016

16,313

Fish stocked in 2017

20,742

Fish stocked in 2019

25,535

Fish stocked in 2020

83,410

Fish stocked in 2021

18,707

Fish stocked in 2022

28,045

Fish stocked in 2023

7,777

Fish stocked in 2024

25,600

Fish stocked in 2025

4,536

Fish stocked in 2026

8,844

Stocking history

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
September 15, 2026	Lake Trout	3,846	5.2 in	report
June 2, 2026	Arctic Char	1,682	10.5 in	report
June 2, 2026	Arctic Char	862	10.5 in	report
June 2, 2026	Arctic Char	2,454	10.4 in	report
May 22, 2025	Arctic Char	3,869	9.9 in	report
May 22, 2025	Arctic Char	143	9.9 in	report
May 22, 2025	Arctic Char	524	9.9 in	report
September 13, 2024	Lake Trout	16,074	4.9 in	report
September 5, 2024	Arctic Char	5,613	3.6 in	report
May 29, 2024	Arctic Char	1,023	10.3 in	report
May 29, 2024	Arctic Char	1,327	10.4 in	report
May 22, 2024	Arctic Char	1,563	10.1 in	report
September 21, 2023	Arctic Char	4,758	4.7 in	report
June 1, 2023	Arctic Char	3,019	10.5 in	report
September 21, 2022	Lake Trout	18,475	4.9 in	report
August 18, 2022	Arctic Char	8,675	3.2 in	report
June 1, 2022	Arctic Char	895	10.6 in	report
September 27, 2021	Arctic Char	16,464	5.1 in	report
May 26, 2021	Arctic Char	283	10 in	report
May 26, 2021	Arctic Char	1,960	10.3 in	report
September 24, 2020	Lake Trout	10,001	4.9 in	report
September 24, 2020	Arctic Char	5,180	3.3 in	report
July 23, 2020	Rainbow Trout	41,385	2.8 in	report
June 18, 2020	Rainbow Trout	13,043	2.6 in	report
June 18, 2020	Rainbow Trout	13,044	2.6 in	report
June 4, 2020	Arctic Char	757	9.4 in	report
September 5, 2019	Arctic Char	23,259	5 in	report
May 20, 2019	Arctic Char	523	9.3 in	report
May 15, 2019	Arctic Char	1,753	9.8 in	report
September 14, 2017	Arctic Char	4,464	5.1 in	report
September 13, 2017	Arctic Char	16,278	4.9 in	report
June 7, 2016	Coho Salmon	16,313	2.9 in	report
September 14, 2015	Arctic Char	9,110	5.1 in	report
September 1, 2015	Arctic Char	10,828	4.8 in	report
September 11, 2013	Arctic Char	5,030	4.2 in	report
September 11, 2013	Arctic Char	4,972	4.2 in	report
September 28, 2012	Arctic Char	8,232	5.2 in	report
September 6, 2012	Arctic Char	4,525	11.2 in	report
September 1, 2011	Arctic Char	2,313	4 in	report
June 7, 2011	Arctic Char	4,561	6.7 in	report
August 14, 2009	Arctic Char	11,548	2.7 in	report
September 8, 2008	Arctic Char	2,184	4.7 in	report
September 8, 2008	Arctic Char	2,190	4.7 in	report
September 8, 2008	Arctic Char	2,192	4.7 in	report
August 19, 2008	Arctic Char	23,635	3.4 in	report
August 23, 2007	Arctic Char	11,355	2.8 in	report
May 24, 2007	Arctic Char	3,268	7.3 in	report
August 28, 2006	Arctic Char	26,307	3.1 in	report
September 13, 2005	Arctic Char	11,738	3.3 in	report
September 18, 2003	Arctic Char	30,343	4.4 in	report
September 4, 2002	Arctic Char	5,419	3.6 in	report
August 31, 2001	Arctic Char	15,446	4.2 in	report
May 23, 2001	Lake Trout	3,995	8.6 in	report
November 6, 2000	Lake Trout	4,021	6.3 in	report
September 29, 1999	Arctic Char	29,895	4.6 in	report
June 22, 1999	Lake Trout	3,807	8.5 in	report
September 30, 1997	Arctic Char	10,029	3.8 in	report
September 26, 1996	Arctic Char	700	4.9 in	report
September 26, 1996	Arctic Char	10,000	4.9 in	report
September 14, 1995	Arctic Char	9,990	7.4 in	report
September 20, 1994	Arctic Char	10,000	6.9 in	report
September 16, 1993	Arctic Char	2,500	8.4 in	report
September 15, 1993	Arctic Char	7,500	8.4 in	report
October 1, 1992	Arctic Char	10,692	7 in	report
September 30, 1992	Arctic Char	16,614	7.1 in	report
September 29, 1992	Arctic Char	17,408	6.9 in	report
September 11, 1992	Arctic Char	17,627	6.7 in	report
September 10, 1992	Arctic Char	18,412	6.8 in	report
September 9, 1992	Arctic Char	16,012	7 in	report
September 8, 1992	Arctic Char	17,836	6.8 in	report
June 24, 1992	Arctic Grayling	204,263	0.5 in	report
June 23, 1992	Arctic Char	11,190	3.7 in	report
June 19, 1992	Rainbow Trout	19,517	8.2 in	report
June 19, 1992	Arctic Grayling	400,000	0.5 in	report
June 19, 1992	Arctic Char	8,928	3.8 in	report
June 18, 1992	Arctic Char	60,000	3.7 in	report
June 17, 1992	Arctic Char	60,603	3.7 in	report
June 16, 1992	Arctic Char	60,603	3.7 in	report
September 23, 1991	Arctic Grayling	23,397	3.1 in	report
September 16, 1991	Arctic Grayling	20,000	3 in	report
September 11, 1991	Arctic Char	12,684	6.1 in	report
September 10, 1991	Arctic Char	7,010	5.8 in	report
September 9, 1991	Arctic Char	29,967	5.7 in	report
September 5, 1991	Arctic Char	7,992	6.2 in	report
September 4, 1991	Arctic Char	23,386	6.2 in	report
September 3, 1991	Arctic Char	22,888	6.2 in	report
August 30, 1991	Arctic Grayling	150,200	2.4 in	report
August 25, 1991	Arctic Grayling	71	9.9 in	report
August 23, 1991	Arctic Char	20,452	5.8 in	report
August 22, 1991	Arctic Char	24,030	5.8 in	report
August 21, 1991	Arctic Char	22,967	5.6 in	report
July 31, 1991	Arctic Grayling	160,000	1.6 in	report
July 31, 1991	Arctic Grayling	186,800	2.8 in	report
July 24, 1991	Rainbow Trout	173,800	2.1 in	report
July 23, 1991	Arctic Char	7,659	3.9 in	report
July 19, 1991	Arctic Char	49,095	3.9 in	report
July 18, 1991	Arctic Char	49,296	3.9 in	report
July 17, 1991	Arctic Grayling	190,000	1.4 in	report
June 11, 1991	Rainbow Trout	10,530	4.8 in	report
June 10, 1991	Arctic Grayling	375,000	0.4 in	report
June 7, 1991	Arctic Grayling	322,178	0.4 in	report
May 30, 1991	Arctic Char	522	16.2 in	report
May 29, 1991	Arctic Char	1,044	16.2 in	report
May 28, 1991	Arctic Grayling	160	8.7 in	report
September 20, 1990	Arctic Char	7,331	6.5 in	report
September 19, 1990	Arctic Char	11,230	6.8 in	report
August 31, 1990	Arctic Char	15,159	5.8 in	report
August 29, 1990	Rainbow Trout	42,000	2.6 in	report
August 29, 1990	Arctic Char	20,614	5.8 in	report
August 28, 1990	Arctic Char	49,900	4.8 in	report
August 27, 1990	Rainbow Trout	1,000	10.1 in	report
August 27, 1990	Rainbow Trout	1,019	10.1 in	report
August 27, 1990	Arctic Grayling	29,972	3.1 in	report
August 26, 1990	Rainbow Trout	7,912	2.6 in	report
August 26, 1990	Lake Trout	71,446	3.8 in	report
August 26, 1990	Arctic Grayling	2,400	2.6 in	report
August 24, 1990	Rainbow Trout	9,961	8.7 in	report
August 24, 1990	Rainbow Trout	15,907	3.4 in	report
August 24, 1990	Rainbow Trout	84,000	3.4 in	report
August 2, 1990	Sockeye Salmon	289	2.1 in	report
August 1, 1990	Arctic Grayling	30,000	2.1 in	report
July 24, 1990	Rainbow Trout	50,000	2.1 in	report
July 24, 1990	Rainbow Trout	150,000	2.1 in	report
July 19, 1990	Rainbow Trout	2,019	8.4 in	report
July 3, 1990	Arctic Grayling	30,000	1.1 in	report
June 27, 1990	Rainbow Trout	100,000	1.9 in	report
June 27, 1990	Rainbow Trout	103,312	1.9 in	report
June 21, 1990	Lake Trout	43,700	2.9 in	report
June 21, 1990	Arctic Char	10,000	3.2 in	report
June 18, 1990	Arctic Char	40,000	3.2 in	report
June 14, 1990	Lake Trout	30,000	2.9 in	report
June 7, 1990	Sockeye Salmon	400,000	1 in	report
June 7, 1990	Sockeye Salmon	505,305	1 in	report
June 7, 1990	Rainbow Trout	10,061	5 in	report
June 7, 1990	Arctic Grayling	54,200	0.5 in	report
March 23, 1990	Arctic Char	437	15.4 in	report
March 22, 1990	Arctic Char	438	15.4 in	report
March 21, 1990	Arctic Char	437	15.4 in	report
October 17, 1989	Arctic Char	5,786	8.2 in	report
October 16, 1989	Arctic Char	9,255	8.2 in	report
October 13, 1989	Arctic Char	3,100	8.5 in	report
October 12, 1989	Arctic Char	8,055	8.5 in	report
October 11, 1989	Arctic Char	8,055	8.5 in	report
August 14, 1989	Rainbow Trout	44,921	1.8 in	report
August 2, 1989	Rainbow Trout	148,836	2 in	report
July 18, 1989	Arctic Char	12,635	4.8 in	report
May 24, 1989	Arctic Char	418	16 in	report
May 23, 1989	Arctic Char	418	16 in	report
May 22, 1989	Sockeye Salmon	515,000	1 in	report
May 22, 1989	Arctic Char	418	16 in	report
March 21, 1989	Sheefish	109,503	1.8 in	report
February 9, 1989	Arctic Char	2,017	8.8 in	report
February 8, 1989	Arctic Char	2,137	8.8 in	report
February 7, 1989	Arctic Char	2,112	8.8 in	report
February 6, 1989	Arctic Char	2,125	8.8 in	report
November 3, 1988	Arctic Char	3,460	6.6 in	report
November 2, 1988	Arctic Char	3,262	6.6 in	report
November 1, 1988	Arctic Char	4,077	6.6 in	report
October 5, 1988	Arctic Char	200	6.2 in	report
October 5, 1988	Arctic Char	3,465	7.4 in	report
September 19, 1988	Arctic Char	4,771	6.4 in	report
September 15, 1988	Arctic Char	5,736	6.3 in	report
September 15, 1988	Arctic Char	5,849	6.3 in	report
August 25, 1988	Rainbow Trout	57,081	1.9 in	report
August 24, 1988	Rainbow Trout	43,398	1.9 in	report
August 18, 1988	Rainbow Trout	108,498	1.9 in	report
August 17, 1988	Rainbow Trout	39,681	1.8 in	report
June 17, 1988	Arctic Grayling	1,169,806	0.5 in	report
May 23, 1988	Sockeye Salmon	503,000	1 in	report
April 12, 1988	Sheefish	60,000	0.9 in	report
September 16, 1987	Rainbow Trout	56,872	2.6 in	report
September 3, 1987	Rainbow Trout	73,148	2.3 in	report
September 2, 1987	Rainbow Trout	58,873	2.3 in	report
August 25, 1987	Rainbow Trout	54,810	2.2 in	report
August 24, 1987	Rainbow Trout	200,000	2.2 in	report
June 22, 1987	Rainbow Trout	544,200	0.9 in	report
June 19, 1987	Arctic Grayling	318,000	0.4 in	report
June 18, 1987	Arctic Grayling	158,000	0.4 in	report
June 14, 1987	Arctic Grayling	164,000	0.4 in	report
June 3, 1987	Sheefish	7,234	4 in	report
May 29, 1987	Sheefish	21,441	4 in	report
May 29, 1987	Sheefish	22,922	4 in	report
May 28, 1987	Sheefish	22,008	4 in	report
May 28, 1987	Sheefish	22,400	4 in	report
May 24, 1987	Sheefish	27,119	2.7 in	report
May 1, 1987	Sheefish	18	23.6 in	report
April 29, 1987	Sheefish	17	23.6 in	report
April 23, 1987	Sheefish	41,274	2.7 in	report
April 23, 1987	Sheefish	43,532	2.7 in	report
April 22, 1987	Sheefish	38,944	2.8 in	report
October 2, 1986	Rainbow Trout	22,748	2.7 in	report
October 2, 1986	Rainbow Trout	47,522	2.9 in	report
September 25, 1986	Rainbow Trout	117,215	2.6 in	report
August 12, 1986	Arctic Grayling	18,759	2.3 in	report
August 12, 1986	Arctic Grayling	60,653	2.2 in	report
August 11, 1986	Sheefish	8,383	4.2 in	report
August 10, 1986	Sheefish	12,564	4.2 in	report
August 9, 1986	Sheefish	11,741	4.3 in	report
August 8, 1986	Sheefish	12,635	4.1 in	report
August 7, 1986	Sheefish	10,824	4.2 in	report
August 6, 1986	Sheefish	12,281	4 in	report
August 4, 1986	Sheefish	20,032	4.1 in	report
June 13, 1984	Sheefish	24,947	3.2 in	report
June 12, 1984	Sheefish	32,495	3.2 in	report
June 11, 1984	Sheefish	30,450	3.2 in	report
June 8, 1984	Sheefish	34,728	3.1 in	report
June 7, 1984	Sheefish	21,058	3.3 in	report
June 5, 1984	Sheefish	23,324	3.4 in	report
June 4, 1984	Sheefish	24,714	3.3 in	report
June 1, 1984	Sheefish	19,925	3.4 in	report
July 9, 1982	Sheefish	370	8.6 in	report
June 7, 1982	Sheefish	70,230	1.8 in	report
June 4, 1982	Sheefish	71,505	1.8 in	report
May 4, 1982	Sheefish	30,000	1.3 in	report
July 16, 1981	Coho Salmon	32,165	2.6 in	report
August 2, 1978	Coho Salmon	129,320	2.1 in	report
July 6, 1978	Coho Salmon	137,994	2.1 in	report
May 25, 1978	Coho Salmon	243,529	1.6 in	report
September 7, 1977	Coho Salmon	105,762	2.5 in	report
August 5, 1977	Coho Salmon	212,000	1.8 in	report
July 18, 1977	Coho Salmon	150,500	2.1 in	report
July 12, 1976	Coho Salmon	109,200	2.2 in	report
June 16, 1976	Coho Salmon	198,000	1.8 in	report
June 14, 1976	Coho Salmon	211,300	1.7 in	report
June 10, 1976	Coho Salmon	179,000	1.8 in	report
July 31, 1975	Coho Salmon	58,500	2.2 in	report
July 22, 1975	Coho Salmon	70,800	2 in	report
July 22, 1975	Coho Salmon	93,300	1.8 in	report
July 17, 1975	Coho Salmon	57,200	1.9 in	report
July 8, 1975	Coho Salmon	100,100	1.8 in	report
August 29, 1973	Coho Salmon	40,750	2.7 in	report
July 13, 1973	Coho Salmon	108,100	1.8 in	report
May 1, 1973	Coho Salmon	20,000	4.1 in	report
July 15, 1971	Coho Salmon	115,000	2.1 in	report
July 13, 1971	Coho Salmon	117,800	2.1 in	report
July 8, 1969	Coho Salmon	155,600	1.7 in	report
July 2, 1969	Coho Salmon	182,900	1.5 in	report
July 8, 1968	Coho Salmon	30,300	1.6 in	report
July 1, 1968	Coho Salmon	190,900	1.6 in	report
July 5, 1967	Lake Trout	31,000	1.6 in	report
June 1, 1965	Lake Trout	235	8.2 in	report
July 1, 1963	Lake Trout	252	–	report
August 18, 1960	Rainbow Trout	14,400	2.4 in	report
August 10, 1960	Rainbow Trout	93,000	1.9 in	report
August 26, 1959	Steelhead	15,500	1.8 in	report
August 4, 1959	Steelhead	30,550	1.3 in	report
July 4, 1958	Rainbow Trout	14,900	1.5 in	report
October 1, 1956	Steelhead	0	–	report
September 15, 1956	Rainbow Trout	37,000	2.5 in	report

Access and facts

Water type: natural lake
Nearest town: Salcha, AK
Facilities: camping, restrooms

Harding Lake State Recreation Area is at mile 321.4 Richardson Highway near Salcha, about 45 miles south of Fairbanks. A straight canal runs from the park's boat launch toward the lake's center. The park has 90+ campsites, toilets, and picnic shelters, the lake's only public toilets.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you go.

About Harding Lake

The lake is frozen late autumn to late spring. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

Photo of Harding Lake — Beeblebrox, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nearest lakes

Birch Lake 9.3 mi last stocked September 1, 2026 Stringer Road Pond 13.5 mi last stocked June 8, 2026 Koole Lake 17.3 mi last stocked June 2, 2025 Grayling Lake 18.8 mi last stocked May 18, 2026 Moose Lake 19.1 mi last stocked June 20, 2018

Common questions

What fish are at Harding Lake?

Fishing Harding Lake usually means Arctic Char: Arctic Char accounts for 109 of 249 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout and 6 more. Arctic Char was last stocked June 2, 2026, averaging 7.1 in. Rainbow Trout was last stocked July 23, 2020, averaging 3.3 in. Sheefish was last stocked March 21, 1989, averaging 4.7 in. Coho Salmon was last stocked June 7, 2016, averaging 2.1 in. 4 more species are on the stocking report. Northern Pike and Burbot are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Harding Lake stocked?

Last stocked September 15, 2026. It is stocked about 3.5 times a year since 1956, most often in June and September. No plants recorded in 17 years between 1956 and 2026.

How big are the fish stocked at Harding Lake?

Stocked fish average 4.9 in. Arctic Char average 7.1 in. Rainbow Trout average 3.3 in. Sheefish average 4.7 in. Coho Salmon average 2.1 in.

How do you get on Harding Lake?

The nearest town is Salcha, AK. Facilities include camping and restrooms. Harding Lake State Recreation Area is at mile 321.4 Richardson Highway near Salcha, about 45 miles south of Fairbanks. A straight canal runs from the park's boat launch toward the lake's center. The park has 90+ campsites, toilets, and picnic shelters, the lake's only public toilets.

Sources (6) +