Birch Lake (Alaska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birch Lake |
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 Birch Lake
Location in Alaska
Birch Lake
Location in North America
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| Location | Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 64°18′59″N 146°39′45″W / 64.31639°N 146.66250°W |
| Surface area | 340.3 hectares (841 acres) |
| Max. depth | 14.8 meters (49 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 218 meters (715 ft) |
Birch Lake is a beautiful lake located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska. It's a popular spot for people who love to fish and enjoy the outdoors. The lake is known for having many different kinds of fish, making it a favorite place for both summer and winter activities.
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What Fish Live in Birch Lake?
Birch Lake is home to a variety of fish species. You can find Arctic char, Arctic grayling, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and rainbow trout here. Since 1966, the lake has been regularly stocked with fish. This means that young fish are added to the lake to help keep the fish population healthy and plentiful for anglers.
Fishing Fun at Birch Lake
Fishing is a very popular activity at Birch Lake. During the warmer months, people enjoy fishing from boats on the lake's calm waters. When winter arrives and the lake freezes over, it becomes a fantastic place for ice fishing. This is where people drill holes in the ice and fish through them, often from small shelters to stay warm.
Birch Lake State Recreation Site
Right on the shores of Birch Lake, you'll find the Birch Lake State Recreation Site. This is a state park that covers about 48 acres (which is about the size of 36 football fields!). It's a great place for families and friends to visit.
What Can You Do at the Recreation Site?
The Birch Lake State Recreation Site offers several cool things to do:
- Camping: There's a small campground where you can set up tents or park RVs.
- Boat Launch: If you have a boat, there's a special area to launch it into the lake.
- Swimming: On warm days, you can take a dip in the lake.
- Picnic Areas: There are spots with tables where you can enjoy a meal outdoors.
The recreation site is located right on the Richardson Highway, which is about 60 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Next to the state park, there's also a special recreation site just for military families, run by the Air Force.
