The Highway Angler IV. Gunnar Pedersen. Anchorage, AK: Fishing Alaska Publications. 2003. 330 pp.

Alaska is a fisherman’s paradise. With countless streams, rivers, creeks and beaches, there is no shortage of water to try. Whether you prefer salmon, grayling, pike or char, there’s an accessible location somewhere in Alaska that will suit your tastes. However, without the right information, one’s fishing trip is likely to be disappointing.

Gunnar Pedersen’s The Highway Angler provides this information. This guide to all the road accessible fishing locations in Alaska is an essential for the visiting (or resident) fisherman who wants to make the most of his or her trip. Pedersen emphasizes the importance of timing for the various species at various locations. Most species (especially salmon) are present in large numbers for a brief window of time, perhaps two weeks. If you’re not in the right place at the right time, you’ll likely be skunked, despite the great fishing available in the state.

After the obligatory introductory chapter about “how to use this book,” there is a chapter on the fish themselves (fifteen freshwater species, two saltwater species). For each species, Mr. Pedersen provides facts on identification, size, habitat, and life cycle, as well as general sport fishing information (gear, lures, statewide run timing). The chapter concludes with a useful chart outlining the top lures for the various species; he includes the caveat that the chart is a general guide, and that of course, fishing conditions in individual watersheds may dictate one’s choice.

The remainder of the book is divided into sections that cover each of Alaska’s major highways. For each section, an easy to read map is provided, as well as one or more charts that summarize information for each location on the map (including species available, parking facilities, wheelchair access, road conditions, camp sites, boat ramps, and hiking trails). In the narrative portion of the book, run timing, species availability and specific gear are suggested for each location. Mr. Pedersen also lists any special regulations in effect at the time of publication – with the understanding that regulations change from year to year and even within a season, and the responsible fisherman will check the latest regulation booklet from Alaska Department of Fish and Game before heading out to fish.

This book is very thorough and well-organized. It’s easy to read charts and maps make finding information efficient, whether one is planning one’s trip around fishing or hoping to cast a few lines incidental to another trip objective. I highly recommend The Highway Angler to anyone who is interested in fishing Alaska’s accessible waters.