Alaska Fish Counts: Kenai, Kasilof and Russian River Sockeye
Where to fish
342 spots · every corridor, Kenai to ValdezEvery legal-to-reach water we track: what runs there, when it peaks, how you get in. Regulations change in season by emergency order, verify with ADF&G before you go.
🏞️ Rivers & streams93
Kenai River, Soldotna bank
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jul-early Aug
Soldotna's Centennial Campground offers over a mile of Kenai River frontage with river access stairs and two boat launches, plus Swiftwater Park's boardwalks downstream.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Public bank access at Centennial and Swiftwater Parks in Soldotna, plus the boardwalk fishery. Boat launches at both parks.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly, Spin
Gear
Unbaited single-hook artificial on much of the river; check the current section rules.
👥 Crowds
high
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): King fishing is often closed. Sockeye and coho limits are set in-season by emergency order. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Russian River Ferry / Sanctuary
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- mid-Jun & mid-Jul
Classic combat sockeye fishery. Elbow room not included.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Russian River Ferry across the Kenai ($) or the Sportsmans Landing trail. Fee parking. No bank vehicle access past the trailhead.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly
Gear
Fly-only water. Single unbaited hook, flies with a leader under a set length.
👥 Crowds
very high
Russian River / Kenai confluence: Two runs, roughly mid-June and again in July. Sanctuary open dates and limits shift with escapement and emergency orders. Bear country, stay alert. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River bank
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Jul-Aug
Bank fishing for Kasilof River king salmon near Crooked Creek, popular in May and June, with a small steelhead run plus Dolly Varden, sockeye and silver salmon in summer.
- Sockeye
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Bank access at Kasilof River SRS and the Sterling Highway bridge. Dipnet access at the Cook Inlet mouth beaches.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Drift boat, Dipnet
Gear
Bank angling with unbaited hooks in places. Personal-use dipnet is a separate fishery at the mouth.
🧾 Permit
Personal-use dipnet permit (AK residents) for the mouth fishery
👥 Crowds
med
Kasilof River: Quieter than the Kenai. Hatchery kings support a limited early fishery some years. Limits set in-season by emergency order. ADF&G current rules ↗
Russian River Falls
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- mid-Jun to Aug
Watch sockeye rocket up the falls, then fish the pools below. A 2 mile walk keeps the crowd honest.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: 2 mile trail from the Russian River Campground or ferry to the falls viewing platform and pools.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly
Gear
Fly-only sanctuary water. Single unbaited hook.
👥 Crowds
high
Russian River sanctuary: Prime bear habitat during the runs, closures possible on short notice. Verify open dates before hiking in. ADF&G current rules ↗
Moose River (Sterling)
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jul-Sep
Slow, tannic tributary that meets the Kenai at Sterling. Great sockeye staging and easy bank access.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Izaak Walton State Recreation Site at the Sterling Highway bridge: boat launch, bank trails, campground.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly, Spin
Gear
Single-hook rules near the Kenai confluence. Check current signage.
👥 Crowds
med
Moose River / Kenai confluence: Confluence area has its own markers and dates. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ninilchik River
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- late May to Sep
Small coastal stream with a fun spring king fishery and fall silvers, right off the Sterling Highway.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: Bank access at the Ninilchik village, campground, and Sterling Highway bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Hatchery-supported king openings on set weekends. Bait and gear rules change by date.
👥 Crowds
med
Ninilchik River: King fishing is limited to specific open days. Confirm the weekend schedule and any emergency orders. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deep Creek (Ninilchik)
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- late May to Sep
Roadside king and steelhead stream with a saltwater launch nearby for halibut and salmon.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Steelhead
- Halibut
Access: Deep Creek State Recreation Area: beach launch (tractor service), campground, bank fishing at the bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Troll, Jig
Gear
Stream king openings are date-limited. The tractor-launched saltwater fleet needs a halibut stamp.
🧾 Permit
Federal halibut stamp for saltwater trips
👥 Crowds
med
Deep Creek / Lower Cook Inlet: Freshwater king dates are restricted. Saltwater halibut and salmon have their own limits. Verify both. ADF&G current rules ↗
Anchor River
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- late May to Oct
The most-fished king and steelhead stream on the lower peninsula. Westernmost road-accessible river in North America.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: Several state recreation sites along the Old Sterling Highway with bank trails and campgrounds.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly, Spin
Gear
King fishing on set weekends only. Steelhead is catch-and-release. Check the day-by-day rules.
👥 Crowds
high
Anchor River: Popular and tightly managed. King open days are limited and can change by emergency order. ADF&G current rules ↗
Quartz Creek (Kenai Lake)
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jun-Sep
Clear creek into Kenai Lake with Dolly Varden and a campground you can fish from.
- Dolly Varden
- Rainbow trout
- Sockeye
Access: Quartz Creek Campground and the Sterling Highway bridge on Kenai Lake.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
Gear
Single-hook rules. Some tributaries close to protect spawners, check signage.
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai Lake tributaries: Small-stream limits differ from the main river. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ship Creek (downtown Anchorage)
- Anchorage
- in town
- Jun-Sep
Catch a king salmon within sight of downtown. Mud like wet cement at low tide, mind the flats.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Bank access below the dam off Whitney Road, with a viewing platform and downtown parking.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Hatchery-supported urban fishery. Bait and hook rules change between the king and silver runs.
👥 Crowds
high
Ship Creek (Anchorage): Time it to the tide, the fishing hole fills on the incoming. Glacial mud flats are dangerous at low water. ADF&G current rules ↗
Bird Creek (Turnagain Arm)
- Anchorage
- in town
- Jul-Sep
Roadside silver run along Turnagain Arm. Combat fishing with a beluga-and-bore-tide backdrop.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
Access: Bird Creek pullouts and the campground on the Seward Highway, with a pedestrian tunnel to the mouth.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Popular hatchery silver fishery. Check the current hook and bait rules.
👥 Crowds
high
Bird Creek: Fishes on the incoming tide. Watch the Seward Highway parking and traffic. Verify limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eklutna Tailrace (Knik River)
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- Jun-Sep
Warm-water tailrace that stacks up hatchery kings and silvers. A Valley favorite with easy access.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Parking and bank access off the Old Glenn Highway near the Knik River bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Hatchery fishery, often allows bait during the runs. Confirm current rules.
👥 Crowds
med
Eklutna Tailrace / Knik River: Managed for hatchery returns, generous some years. Verify open dates and limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Campbell Creek (Anchorage)
- Anchorage
- in town
- Jun-Sep
Greenbelt creek that runs right through town. Silvers in fall, plus resident trout and Dollies.
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Campbell Creek Greenbelt trail and park access points across midtown and south Anchorage.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
Gear
Urban stream with catch-and-release sections. Check the reach-by-reach rules.
👥 Crowds
low
Campbell Creek: Some reaches are catch-and-release only. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eagle River
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
- Jun-Sep
Glacial river north of town. Kings on limited open days, silvers and Dollies later, some water on Fort Rich.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Bank access in the Eagle River valley and at the Briggs Bridge. JBER reaches require a base recreation permit.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
King fishing is limited to certain days and reaches. Military-land access needs a permit.
👥 Crowds
med
Eagle River: Open king days are restricted. Some of the best water is on JBER and needs a recreation pass. Verify both. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deshka River (Susitna)
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
Boat-access king and silver river off the Susitna. One of the Valley top salmon producers.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
Access: Boat access from Deshka Landing or Susitna Landing, then downriver to the Deshka mouth.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
Gear
Managed by sonar counts, king fishing can close mid-run. Verify daily.
👥 Crowds
med
Deshka River: King openings track the sonar escapement, and can flip by emergency order. Boat access only. ADF&G current rules ↗
Resurrection Creek (Hope)
- Hope
- ~1h18
- Jul-Sep
Historic gold-rush creek at sleepy Hope. Pink salmon by the thousands, plus Dolly Varden.
- Pink (humpy)
- Coho (silver)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Bank access along Resurrection Creek Road at the edge of Hope.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Restored salmon stream. Check current pink and silver rules.
👥 Crowds
low
Resurrection Creek: Pinks are strongest on even years. Verify limits and open reaches. ADF&G current rules ↗
Alexander Creek (Susitna)
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Aug
Once Southcentral's premier road-less king creek, now a silver-and-pink fly-in with a cautionary pike story.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Rainbow trout
- Northern pike
Access: No road access. Reached by powerboat up the Susitna or by floatplane from Anchorage or Willow. Lodges near the mouth.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Drift boat, Bank
👥 Crowds
med
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Historic trophy king stream whose run collapsed under invasive northern pike, king retention is frequently closed. Verify the current emergency order. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Creek (Yentna)
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Aug
A classic fly-in float: kings in June, silvers and rainbows in August, all in clear Yentna-tributary water.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
Access: Fly-in only. Floatplane from Anchorage or Willow to the lower creek. Multi-day float trips run from Lake Creek down to the Yentna.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Drift boat, Bank
👥 Crowds
med
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Strong clearwater king and silver runs. Check the king retention emergency order each season. ADF&G current rules ↗
Talachulitna River (Skwentna)
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
The Tal is Southcentral's fly-water gem: wild rainbows, a rare steelhead run, and trophy kings on the swing.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Arctic grayling
Access: Fly-in only. Floatplane to Judd Lake or the upper river, then a multi-day float to the Skwentna.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Drift boat, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Managed for quality and fly fishing, kings are largely catch and release. One of few Southcentral streams with a steelhead run. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sheep Creek (Parks Highway)
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jul-Aug
A no-boat-needed Parks Highway stream that fills with pinks and chum in midsummer.
- Chinook (king)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Coho (silver)
Access: Direct pullout access off the Parks Highway between Willow and Montana Creek. Walk-in bank fishing.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
med
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Roadside clearwater stream. King retention is frequently closed, but pink and chum action is strong. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Twentymile River (Portage)
- Portage
- ~58 min
- May-Sep
Alaska's most popular hooligan dipnetting river in May, then a quiet silver-and-Dolly run in August.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Dolly Varden
- Whitefish
Access: Off the Seward Highway near Portage, short access to the river mouth.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Dipnet, Bank, Drift boat
🧾 Permit
No permit for the hooligan dipnet, but check current freshwater dipnet dates
👥 Crowds
med
Anchorage / Turnagain Arm Area: Top hooligan (eulachon) dipnet river in May, plus a fall silver and Dolly run. WARNING: Turnagain Arm mudflats and bore tides are dangerous, stay on solid ground. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Glacier Creek (Girdwood)
- Girdwood
- ~37 min
- Jul-Sep
Girdwood's home stream, walkable pink and silver water beneath the Alyeska peaks.
- Pink (humpy)
- Coho (silver)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Runs through the Girdwood valley near the Alyeska access. Walk-in bank fishing from local pullouts and bridges.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Anchorage / Turnagain Arm Area: Glacial-tinged Turnagain tributary, kings are not a target here. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Squirrel Creek (Copper Center) 🐣
Squirrel Creek (Copper Center)
🐣 STOCKED- Copper Center
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
A Richardson Highway campground creek and stocked pond, easy grayling and trout in the Copper Basin.
- Arctic grayling
- Rainbow trout
Access: Squirrel Creek State Recreation Site at Mile 79.5 of the Richardson Highway near Tonsina. Campground and pond access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 The pond at the state rec site is stocked with rainbow trout. Grayling are wild.
Upper Copper / Upper Susitna Area: Stocked pond plus a wild grayling creek. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/squircksrs.htm ↗Full details
Little Tonsina River (Copper Center)
- Copper Center
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
A clear Copper-country tributary for grayling and Dollies, a break from the glacial main rivers.
- Arctic grayling
- Dolly Varden
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
Access: Little Tonsina State Recreation Site off the Richardson Highway. A gravel road reaches the confluence.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Upper Copper / Upper Susitna Area: Clearwater Copper tributary, grayling and Dollies are the reliable target with seasonal salmon. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Mendeltna Creek (Glennallen)
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jul-Sep
A roadside Glenn Highway grayling creek that turns on in the fall while the salmon rivers wind down.
- Arctic grayling
- Dolly Varden
Access: Crosses the Glenn Highway near Mendeltna west of Glennallen. Walk-in bank access from the highway bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Upper Copper / Upper Susitna Area: Wild grayling stream, peaks in late September as fish stage in the Tazlina drainage. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Cunningham Park
- Kenai
- ~2h53
- Jul-Aug
Boardwalk and stairs to a gravel-and-mud bank. Deep and tidal.
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Work the boardwalk edge and the gravel below the stairs. Sockeye run 6 to 10 feet off the bank. Wade to your knees, no further, and flip a short cast upstream rather than out. Deep tidal water, so 3/4 oz keeps the drift honest.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
👥 Crowds
high
Lower Kenai River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Soldotna Creek Park
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jul-Aug
City park on the Kenai River in Soldotna with 2,300 feet of riverfront boardwalk and 12 sets of river access stairs for salmon fishing.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Work down to the far end away from the parking, which thins out noticeably.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
👥 Crowds
high
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Rotary Park
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jul-Aug
Small day use with boardwalk. Upstream edge of town, moderate current.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Small and pleasant. Same short-flip approach as anywhere in the Soldotna reach.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
👥 Crowds
med
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Russian River campground bank
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jul-Aug
Bank trail with hardened access points. Clear and shallow enough to sight fish.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
Access: Walk in along the trail. The further from the parking, the more room. Sight fish the lane and cast to individual fish.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly
👥 Crowds
very high
Upper Kenai River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. The Russian is unweighted single-hook artificial fly only. ADF&G current rules ↗
Crooked Creek SRS
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Jul-Aug
Campground with walk-in access to the confluence point. GLACIAL AND SILTY off Tustumena Lake.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
Access: Walk in to the point where Crooked Creek joins the river. That confluence is the prime spot. Fish tight and by feel, you will not see anything.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
👥 Crowds
med
Kasilof River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/crookedcreeksrs.htm ↗Full details
Kasilof River south bank (Cohoe Loop)
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- late Jun to Aug
The south side of the Kasilof mouth, reached where Cohoe Loop Road dead-ends at the Cook Inlet beach. Soft sand and no services, so bring a rig that can pull itself out.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Sterling Highway Milepost 111, turn west on North Cohoe Loop Road and drive about four miles. Where the pavement bends south, continue straight west on the rough dirt road to the beach. The river mouth is about a quarter mile north along the sand and 4WD is needed to reach it. Vehicles are allowed only below the mean high water mark.
More details
🪝 Methods
Dipnet, Bank
Gear
Personal-use dipnet at the mouth. Rod fishing is a separate fishery under the sport regulations.
🧾 Permit
Personal-use dipnet permit (AK residents)
👥 Crowds
high
Cook Inlet personal use: The south shore of the Kasilof mouth is the personal-use dipnet fishery, residents only and permit required. Open dates and hours are set by regulation and emergency order, so check the current rules before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chena River, Chena Small Tracts Road access
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
- Grayling May through September. King salmon typically late June to early August, chum mid-July to late August, when the fishery is open. Verify before you go.
One of the standard walk-in and drift-boat put-ins for the lower Chena, inside city limits. Grayling year-round, catch-and-release only in the river itself; king and chum salmon fishing is open here from the river mouth up to a marker near Moose Creek Dam, in season.
- Arctic grayling
- king salmon
- chum salmon
- whitefish
Access: Public walk-in and boat access from Chena Small Tracts Road on the south side of the river within Fairbanks; no formal ramp, informal bank and gravel-bar access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Fly, Spin
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod; drift boats and rafts common for the salmon reach
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, Chena River: Interior king salmon fishing has been closed or heavily restricted by emergency order in recent seasons. Do not rely on a stated bag limit; check the current emergency order before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Salcha River, Salcha River SRS boat launch
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Grayling May through September. King salmon late June to early August, chum mid-July to late August, when open.
The concrete boat launch at Salcha River State Recreation Site, the main public access to a river that sees more returning king salmon than any other Tanana tributary and is an excellent Interior grayling fishery. Salmon fishing is open from the mouth to a marker 2.5 miles upstream of the Richardson Highway bridge.
- king salmon
- chum salmon
- coho salmon
- Arctic grayling
- sheefish
- northern pike
Access: Salcha River State Recreation Site, Mile 323.3 Richardson Highway, about 40 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Concrete boat launch, 6 campsites, toilets, water, a public-use cabin; walk or drive to the large gravel bar downstream of the highway bridge for bank access. Camping fee applies, day use of the launch is free.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Fly, Spin
Gear
Drift boat or riverboat for the salmon water; spinning gear or fly rod for grayling from the gravel bar
👥 Crowds
high
Tanana River Drainage, Salcha River: Interior king salmon limits move by emergency order and the fishery has been closed in some recent seasons; do not rely on a stated bag limit. ADF&G current rules ↗
Piledriver Slough grayling water
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Open year-round; best fly water May through September.
A clear-water slough near North Pole and Badger, popular and easy to reach for a lunch-break grayling fishery. Upstream of its confluence with Moose Creek it is catch-and-release only for grayling with a single, unbaited artificial lure or fly.
- Arctic grayling
Access: Roadside pullouts off the Richardson Highway/Badger Road area near North Pole; a well-known local walk-in fishery, no formal facilities.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly
Gear
Fly rod or ultralight spinning gear, single unbaited hook required upstream of Moose Creek
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, Piledriver Slough: Retention of grayling is prohibited upstream of the Moose Creek confluence; verify current gear rules before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chatanika River, Whitefish Campground & boat launch
- Fox
- Full day, 6h51
- Grayling good all summer. Salmon run late July through October when open.
The quickest public access to the Chatanika, at the Elliott Highway bridge about 11 miles north of Fairbanks. A year-round grayling fishery with a modest king, silver and chum salmon run late July through October, plus whitefish, pike and burbot.
- Arctic grayling
- king salmon
- chum salmon
- coho salmon
- whitefish
- northern pike
- burbot
Access: Whitefish Campground and boat launch, north side of the Chatanika River bridge on the Elliott Highway near Mile 11, about 18 miles north of Fairbanks. 25 campsites, picnic shelter, outhouses, drinking water.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Fly, Spin, Ice
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod in open water; set lines or jigging for burbot through the ice
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, Chatanika River: Salmon runs and limits on the Chatanika are modest and regulated by emergency order in some years; verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chatanika River, Upper Chatanika River SRS
- Chatanika
- Full day, 7h10
- Grayling good all summer, best May through September.
A 24-site campground on the upper Chatanika, a good put-in for a downriver grayling float and roadside bank access along the Steese Highway for miles beyond.
- Arctic grayling
- whitefish
- northern pike
Access: Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site, Mile 39 Steese Highway. Camping, picnicking and direct river access; the road also runs alongside dozens of river bends up to about Mile 69.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Fly, Spin
Gear
Fly rod or spinning gear; canoe or raft for a float below the campground
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, Chatanika River: Check current regulations for the upper river before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Delta Clearwater River, Clearwater SRS coho access
- Big Delta
- Full day, 6h29
- Coho enter mid-September through early November, peaking in mid-October.
The largest documented coho salmon run in the whole Tanana River drainage, over 60,000 fish most years, on a clear, spring-fed river that stays ice-free into early winter. Most of the river's banks are private, so the campground stretch near Clearwater SRS is one of the only places to fish from shore; most anglers fish from a riverboat.
- coho salmon
- Arctic grayling
- whitefish
Access: Clearwater State Recreation Site on Remington Road, about 7 miles east of Delta Junction: turn east off the Richardson Highway onto Jack Warren Road, follow it to Remington Road. State-maintained campground and boat launch; some shore fishing near the campground, most access is by riverboat, canoe or kayak. Also reachable by jet boat from the Tanana River via the Big Delta launch at the Richardson Highway bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Fly, Spin
Gear
Bright pink or green streamer flies, or Pixie/Crocodile spoons and Vibrax spinners on spinning gear
👥 Crowds
high
Tanana River Drainage, Delta Clearwater River: Coho limits move by emergency order some seasons; verify before you go. The boat launch can ice over during the fall run. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tanana River, Big Delta boat launch
- Big Delta
- Full day, 6h29
- Open water May through October; burbot fishing continues through the ice via set line.
The public boat launch at the Richardson Highway bridge over the Tanana at Big Delta, the jumping-off point for the Delta Clearwater and Goodpaster rivers and a burbot and whitefish fishery on the Tanana itself.
- burbot
- whitefish
- chum salmon
- king salmon
Access: Public boat launch at the Richardson Highway bridge over the Tanana River, Big Delta.
More details
🪝 Methods
Boat, Bank, Ice
Gear
Riverboat for the main channel; set lines for burbot
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, mainstem Tanana River: Bait is allowed in the mainstem Tanana but not in most tributaries; check current gear rules and any king salmon emergency order for the mainstem before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nenana River, Clear Creek access
- Anderson
- Full day, 6h24
- Coho salmon fall run; check current timing and status.
A hike-in coho access point on a clear tributary of the glacial Nenana River, reached from the Parks Highway near Anderson.
- coho salmon
- Arctic grayling
Access: Take the Parks Highway to Milepost 295 and hike in to Clear Creek, a clear tributary of the Nenana.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly, Spin
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, Nenana River / Clear Creek: Coho limits move by emergency order some seasons; verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Delta Clearwater River
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Apr-Nov.: Arctic grayling, Sept./Oct: Coho salmon
The Delta Clearwater river flows from near Delta Junction about 20 miles to where it joins the Tanana River about 16 miles upstream of the Richardson Highway Bridge at Big Delta. The river is spring-fed, runs crystal clear year-round, and makes for a beautiful float day trip with excellent Arctic grayling fishing. The river also supports a coho salmon fishery in October.
Access: The river can be accessed at several locations. The Clearwater State Recreation Site can be reached from Mile 1414.8 of the Alaska Highway, turn north onto Clearwater Road and drive 8-1/2 miles, turn east onto Remington road. From the Richardson Hwy at mile 268 turn onto Jack Warren Road and drive 11 miles, Jack Warren will wrap around and turn into Remington road. The lower river is also accessed from Clearwater Lake, from Triple H Road off Jack Warren. Most use is by floaters and jet boats, as walk-in access is limited to the area around the State Recreation site. If willing to cross the river in chest waders more fishing locations are on the North bank of the river. The lower river is often accessed by motorboat by boating across Clearwater Lake, down the outlet and up the Tanana. Additionally access to the River is from the Big Delta Boat Launch in Big D and boating up the Tanana River 15 miles.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Beaver and Nome Creeks
- Chena Hot Springs
- Full day, 7h56
- May-Sept.: Arctic grayling
The first 127 miles of the 281-mile Beaver Creek flows through the White Mountains National Rec. Area and is a Wild and Scenic River. Beaver Creek and the road-accessible Nome Creek tributary provide excellent opportunities for Arctic grayling fishing.
Access: 16 miles of Nome Ck can be accessed from the 7-mile U.S. Creek Rd at MP 57.3 of the Steese Highway. Floaters who do ~100 miles of Beaver Creek will start at the Put-in point at the end of the Nome Creek Rd and get picked up ~9 miles from Victoria Ck.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Upper Chena River Arctic grayling fishery
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Year-round.: Arctic grayling
The upper Chena River flows through the Chena River State Recreation Area about 40 miles east of Fairbanks, and is road accessible at a number of points along Chena Hot Springs Road. It is accessible by road and there are also several trails that are used to access popular Arctic grayling fishing holes.
Access: All access points are off Chena Hot Springs Road, in the Chena River State Recreation Area. There are put-in/take-outs at MP 48.9 (Angel Rocks Trailhead), MP 44 (North Fork), MP 39.5, MP 27 (Rosehip).
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Birch Creek
- Chena Hot Springs
- Full day, 7h56
- May-Sept.: Arctic grayling
The first 126 miles of Birch Creek are designated a Wild and Scenic River within the Steese National Conservation Area. Birch Creek can be accessed by the Steese Highway at three locations and provides excellent opportunities for Arctic grayling fishing.
Access: Birch Creek can be accessed from three locations along the Steese Highway, which begins in Fairbanks, at MP 94, 140.4, and 147.1, the latter which has a developed boat launch. Access to the previous locations are to gravel bars.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Talachulitna River float for rainbow trout, Arctic Grayling, and Dolly Varden
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- June-August
Drop off float trip from Judd Lake down Talachulitna Creek, then down Talachulitna River to the mouth. Plan for 5-6 days.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: Fly-in to Judd Lake. Pick up is by float plane on Skwentna River downstream of the mouth of the Talachulitna.
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Susitna River personal use dipnet fishery
- Anchorage
- in town
- July 10 through July 31, on Wednesdays and Saturdays
Susitna River personal use dipnet fishery (July 10 through July 31, on Wednesdays and Saturdays). This is a new fishery as of 2020. This fishery occurs on the lower Susitna River, downstream of the Yentna River confluence and is about a 45 minute boat ride from Deshka Landing. The fishery targets sockeye and coho salmon. Pinks and chum salmon are also available. Most fishing is conducted from a boat, although there are a few sand bars suitable for bank dipping.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
Access: Between ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 1 mile downstream from Susitna Station, downstream to ADF&G regulatory markers located near the northern tip of Bell Island/ Alexander Creek cut off. Dipnetting from a boat or from shore is permitted in the open area.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Indian Creek rainbow trout
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- July-August
Rainbow trout fishing along the creek near the Alaska Railroad. Reach it by a railroad whistle stop, meeting the train at the Talkeetna depot.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Whistle stop drop off via Alaska Railroad. Board train at Talkeetna depot.
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Bing's Landing Camground & Day Use Area
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jan - July: king salmon (see regulations for size limits); July - Oct: coho salmon; Year-round: pink salmon, rainbow trout, steelhead trout, Dolly Varden, sockeye salmon
Shoreline fishing. DNR Alaska State Parks boat launch open year round. Campground and day use parking.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: Sterling Highway milepost 79.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Knik River access
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- June-August
At the end of the frontage road, experienced boaters (primarily airboats and jetboats) often launch on the Knik River to hunt waterfowl downstream in the refuge or to venture upstream outside the refuge for various activities. Rafters and kayakers will occasionally pull out here after launching farther upstream, and kayakers sometimes launch here for trips downstream into the refuge. Note: due to changing tide levels, strong river currents, high winds and numerous navigation hazards including submerged gravel bars, only experienced boaters with local knowledge should attempt to operate boats on the Knik River.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Chum
Access: Follow the Glenn Hwy north about 30 miles.Take the Knik River Access Exit on your right. Turn left on Kink River Access Rd. Follow the road to the end you will pass the Palmer Hay Flats and Reflections Lake access.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River State Recreation Site
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Year-round: rainbow trout, steelhead trout; Jan. - July: king salmon. June - August: sockeye salmon. August-October: coho salmon
DNR Alaska State Parks boat launch and day use parking with seasonal closures.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
Access: Sterling Highway milepost 109.5
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/kasilofrivsrs.htm ↗Full details
Little Susitna coho salmon fishery
- Anchorage
- in town
- late July-early September
Little Susitna coho salmon fishery (late July-early September). Open from its mouth upstream to the Parks Hwy (70 river miles), most anglers access this fishery from the Little Susitna Public Use Facility off Pt. MacKenzie Rd. Fishing is from boat or bank.
- Coho (silver)
Access: Little Susitna has multiple access. It is located at mile 57.0 on the Parks Highway. The Little Su public Use Facility is operated by Fish and Game.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Creek float for rainbow trout and Arctic Grayling
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- June-August
Drop off float trip from Chelatna Lake down Lake Creek to its mouth. Plan for 5-6 days.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: Fly-in to Chelatna Lake. Pick up is by float plane on Yentna River near mouth of Lake Creek.
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Jim Creek sockeye salmon fishery
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- mid July - mid August
Most fishing is at the confluence area of Jim Creek and the Knik River. It is a sandy open expanse of riverbed. Sport fishing is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning August 1.
- Sockeye
Access: Approximately mile 10.5 on Old Glenn Highway, turn onto Sullivan Rd and drive about 1.2 miles to Jim Creek trailhead. Follow gravel road 1.5 miles to the mouth of Jim Creek.
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Peter's Creek at the Mouth
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Peters Creek flows into Knik Arm.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
Access: From downtown Anchorage, north on glenn hwy, take South Birchwood exit, take a left onto Birchwood loop,
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River/Crooked Creek
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- May-July: king salmon (enhanced). No retention of rainbow trout/steelhead trout.
Kasilof early-run king salmon (enhanced) (May to July)This fishery targets hatchery origin king salmon returning to Crooked Creek, a tributary of the Kasilof River. ADF&G annually stocks approximately 125K king salmon smolt for this fishery. The primary use is by shore based anglers at the Crooked Creek recreational site and by drift boat launched upstream. Regulations are liberal and promote harvest of the enhanced stock.
- Chinook (king)
Access: Take Sterling Hwy to Cohoe Loop Road (turn off near milepost 111). Turn onto Rilinda Road to Crooked Creek State Recreation Area.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Susitna River rainbow trout fishery
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- early June-October
Susitna River rainbow trout fishery (early June-October). The best fishing begins in later June after the spawn and continues until freeze up. Popular multi day float trips include Deshka River (Susitna), Talachulitna River (Skwentna), Lake Creek (Yentna), and Clear Creek (Talkeetna). Day float trips are popular on Willow, Little Willow, and Montana creeks. Hiking and fishing in chest waders is most common way to fish these rainbows. Willow and Montana creeks have multiple access sites for staging and hiking between vehicles.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Willow Creek MP 71.3 Little Willow Creek MP 74.8 Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) MP 83.1 Caswell Creek (mouth) MP 84.0 Caswell Creek MP 84.9 Sheep Creek (mouth) MP86.3 Sheep Creek MP88.4 Montana Creek MP96.5 Sunshine Creek MP 102.5 Rabideux Creek (mouth) MP 105.0
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Twentymile River
- Girdwood
- ~37 min
- Hooligan (smelt) April through May (run timing is highly variable) *April 1 - May 31: silver salmon Mid summer to fall
Salmon and hooligan fishing opportunities are available near Girdwood. Most fishing is from the banks, or use a jet boat to head away from the crowds to the best fishing up river.
- Coho (silver)
Access: Small gravel parking spaces near the mouth
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Glacier River/California Creek
- Girdwood
- ~37 min
- coho salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon
Creek the flow into Turnagain Arm near the Girdwood turnoff.
Access: On Seward highway head south to Girdwood. Creek intersects the highway near the Girdwood turn off.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Clear Creek float for rainbow trout, Arctic Grayling, and Dolly Varden
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- June-August
Drop off float trip from upper Clear Creek down to confluence with Talkeetna River. Plan for 3-4 days.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: Fly-in to upper Clear Creek via helicopter. Pick up at mouth by boat or float to Talkeetna.
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Cottonwood Creek sockeye salmon fishery
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- mid July - early August
Fishing is along a 1 mile stretch of creek channel flowing through mud flats below a bluff. Tidally influenced.
- Sockeye
Access: Out of Wasilla, take Knik Goose Bay Rd to Fairview Loop, then onto Hayfield Rd to access signs for road leading creek mouth.
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Peter's Creek at the Old Glenn
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Creek is located near Peters Creek which is North of Anchorage, Alaska.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
Access: From downtown Anchorage, north on glenn hwy, take South Birchwood exit, take a right onto Birchwood loop, left on to the Old Glenn, parking just passed the bridge
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eklutna Tailrace youth-only king fishery
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- 3rd Saturday June
Eklutna Tailrace youth-only king fishery occurs the 3rd Saturday June in a designated area from the mouth of the Tailrace upstream to the foot bridge from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. This is a stocked terminal fishery that stays open even when wild stock fisheries are restricted. This was voted the #1 mom approved fishing spot by Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation in 2018.
- Chinook (king)
Access: MP 3.5 Old Glenn Highway (Butte area)
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Resurrection River
- Seward
- ~2h05
The Resurrection River is at the head of the Ressurrection Bay in Seward, Alaska.
Access: Take Nash Road at Mile 5.1 of the Seward Highway. Multiple parking areas are available along Nash Road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Primrose Creek
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Closed to all salmon fishing. Closed to all fishing May 1-June 10.
USFS campground with 8 first-come sites at the confluence of Primrose Creek and Kenai Lake, with a boat ramp.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Seward Hwy milepost 17.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Campbell Creek youth fishery
- Anchorage
- in town
kids-only king salmon fishery on Campbell Creek in the last weekend of June. Only youth 15 or younger may fish in a special section of the creek, on Saturday and Sunday.
- Chinook (king)
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jim's Landing
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- June-Aug.: sockeye salmon; July-Sept: pink salmon; July-Oct.: coho salmon; June 11-Arpil 30: Dolly Varden, rainbow trout
USFWS boat launch. Popular drift boat removal for upper Kenai River.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: East Skilak Lake Loop Road (Sterling Highway milepost 58), first left (.1 mile).
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ingram Creek
- Girdwood
- ~37 min
- Coho salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, Dolly Varden
Creek flowing into Turnagain Arm located near highway heads up into Turnagain Pass.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deshka River coho salmon fishery
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- late July-end August
Deshka River coho salmon fishery (late July-end August). Accessed via jetboat from Deshka Landing near Willow. Most fishing occurs in the mouth area and lower 7 miles of river.
- Coho (silver)
Access: Deshka River is accessable from Deshka landing by boat. Downstream on the Susitna River four river miles to the mouth of the Deshka River.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jim Creek coho salmon fishery
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- late July-mid September
Most fishing is at the confluence area of Jim Creek and the Knik River. It is a sandy open expanse of riverbed. Sport fishing is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning August 1.
- Coho (silver)
Access: Approximately mile 10.5 on Old Glenn Highway, turn onto Sullivan Rd and drive about 1.2 miles to Jim Creek trailhead. Follow gravel road 1.5 miles to the mouth of Jim Creek.
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North Fork Eagle River
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
North Fork of Eagle River is only 40 minutes from Anchorage, popular for floating.
- Dolly Varden
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deshka River king salmon fishery
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- mid May-July 13
Deshka River king salmon fishery (May-July 13) on lower Susitna drainage. Accessed by jetboat most often from Deshka Landing and at times from Susitna Landing. Most fishing occurs in the mouth area. This is the only wild stock fishery where bait is allowed by regulation. This fishery in recent years has been frequently restricted by inseason management actions.
- Chinook (king)
Access: Deshka River is accessable from Deshka landing by boat. Downstream on the Susitna River four river miles to the mouth of the Deshka River.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kenai River early - late run King Salmon
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- early- and late-run king salmon (May -July)
Kenai early- and late-run king salmon (May -July) This fishery targets king salmon mainly in the lower Kenai River downstream of the Soldotna highway bridge. This is primarily a boat based fishery with some limited shore fishing options. Currently there are 6 boat launches and a multitude of shore access sites. The fishery has a large guide presence which presents opportunity for anglers who are visiting or do not have their own vessel to participate. Regulations are conservative in the early-run with size and gear limitations.
- Chinook (king)
Access: Primarily a boat based fishery below Skilak Lake with most angler effort below the Sterling Highway Bridge. See page 55 of Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for public boat launches.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Quartz Creek
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- June 11 - Sept. 14: all species besides salmon; Nov. -April: all species besides salmon; June 11 - April: downstream of the Sterling Hwy bridge, all species besides salmon.
Closed to all salmon fishing.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Mile 45 of the Sterling Highway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eastside Susitna coho salmon fishery
- Hatcher Pass
- ~1h30
- late July-end August
Eastside Susitna coho salmon fishery (late July-end August). Accessed by highway vehicle along the Parks Highway. Multiple access sites near mouth areas of Willow, Sheep, Caswell, and Montana creeks and Kashwitna and Talkeetna rivers for highway vehicles or by boat out of Deshka, Susitna, and Talkeetna landings.
- Coho (silver)
Access: Willow Creek MP 71.3 Little Willow Creek MP 74.8 Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) MP 83.1 Caswell Creek (mouth) MP 84.0 Caswell Creek MP 84.9 Sheep Creek (mouth) MP86.3 Sheep Creek MP88.4 Montana Creek MP96.5 Sunshine Creek MP 102.5 Rabideux Creek (mouth) MP 105.0
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Little Susitna River king salmon fishery
- Anchorage
- in town
- mid May-July 13
Little Susitna River king salmon fishery (May-July 13). Open from its mouth upstream to the Parks Hwy (70 river miles), most anglers access this fishery from the Little Susitna Public Use Facility off Pt. MacKenzie Rd. Back trolling is common. Bank fishing also occurs closer to the facility. This fishery in recent years has been frequently restricted by inseason management actions.
- Chinook (king)
Access: Little Susitna has multiple access points. It is located at mile 57.0 on the Parks Highway. The Little Su public Use Facility is east of Wasilla on Knik Goose Bay Rd, turn onto Pt MacKenzie Rd, take right at T, then follow signs to boat launch. The LSUPUF is operated by Fish and Game.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Fish Creek youth only fishery
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
- 1st Saturday and Sunday in August; 5 a.m.-10 p.m.
Open to youth 15 years of age and younger from a marker posted near the mouth upstream to a marker located 1/4 mile upstream of Knik Goose Bay Rd.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
Access: From Wasilla, follow Knik-Goose Bay Rd. to mp 49.6 where Fish Creek crossed the highway.
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Wasilla Creek/Rabbit Slough coho salmon fishery
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- mid July-September
Downstream of the Alaska Railroad bridge, accessed primarily by boat at the Rabbit Slough access. This is a weekend only sport fishery for coho salmon (5:00am to 10:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays only, closed April 15 to June 14). During the weekend fishery July 15 - August 15, watercraft on Wasilla Creek are limited to motors of 3 horsepower or less.
- Coho (silver)
Access: This undeveloped site is accessed from the Trunk Road exit at milepost 35.5 on the Parks Highway, 6 miles east of downtown Wasilla. Follow the frontage road on the south side of the highway to the east and south (as it becomes the frontage road along the Glenn Highway) for 2 miles, where the frontage road ends. The access road, which may be impassible to 2-wheel drive vehicles when wet, follows the forested banks of Rabbit Slough for ½ mile to its confluence with Wasilla Creek.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Fish Creek personal use dipnet fishery
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
- mid July-July 31
Fish Creek personal use dipnet fishery (mid July-July 31). Access is by highway vehicle off Pt. MacKenzie Rd. Opened by EO, this fishery is very popular among locals who fish from both bank and boat.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
Access: From Wasilla, follow Knik-Goose Bay Rd. to mp 49.6, turn turn around used for parking, be aware of private property
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River Personal Use Salmon Fishery
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Dipnet fishery - June 25 through August7. Gillnet fishery - June 15 through June 24.
A personal use dipnet and gillnet fishery at the mouth of the glacial Kasilof River, about 180 highway miles south of Anchorage, draining Tustumena Lake into Cook Inlet.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
Access: North shore access - To access the north shore, take Kasilof Beach Road, which is off the south end of Kalifornsky Beach Road. Do not drive through the private property signs at the cannery. You may park your vehicle off the driving surface, but staying within the road right-of-way. Four-wheel drive is recommended due to the softness of the sand off the driving surface. Please do not park on the sand dunes - the beach grasses can not survive the impacts. South shore access - To access the south shore, turn west on North Cohoe Loop Road, off the Sterling Highway. When the pavement turns to the south (left), continue west (straight) on the rough, unpaved dirt road to the beach. The mouth of the Kasilof is approximately ¼-mile north (right) along the beach. Four-wheel-drive is necessary to get to the mouth on the south shore. Don't drive anything you can't get unstuck, such as a motorhome, down the beach. It is very expensive to get towed.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Big Eddy Day Use Area
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Year-round: sockeye salmon, chum salmon; January-July: king salmon
Alaska State Parks day use site on the Kenai River within the Kenai River Special Management Area, with toilets and picnic areas.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: River Mile 15.5. Sterling Highway to Soldotna. Turn on Kenai Spur Highway to Big Eddy Road. Turn at first right. The boat launch is at the end of the road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Resurrection Creek
- Hope
- ~1h18
Downtown Hope has some great pink salmon fishing during the late summer. Fun spot for kids to hook their first salmon.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
Access: Parking lot for vehicles.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Beach River
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- coho salmon mid august, pink salmon mid July
Beach River is located Montague Island is in the Gulf of Alaska at the entrance to Prince William Sound. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Halibut
Access: Access float plane (40 minutes from Cordova, 60 minutes from Seward) or boat (65 miles from Cordova, 70 miles from Whittier, 100 miles from Seward).
More details
Kenai River late-run sockeye salmon
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- late-run sockeye salmon (July - August)
Kenai late-run sockeye salmon (late-June to August) This is the largest sockeye salmon sport fishery in the state and is widely popular among residents and tourist alike. The fishery is a shore based fishery that has many access points from the road system
- Sockeye
Access: Primarily a shore based fishery with many public access locations. See page 55-57 of Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for public access points.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deshka River float for rainbow trout and Arctic Grayling
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- June-September
Float trip down Moose Creek to forks, continuing down to mouth of Deshka River. Plan for 5-6 days.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: Oilwell Rd off Petersville Rd by highway vehiclle. Pick up at mouth by boat or airplane.
More details
Morgan's Landing Campground
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- June-Aug.: sockeye salmon; July-Sept: pink salmon; July-Nov.: coho salmon; Year-round: Dolly Varden, rainbow trout
Shoreline fishing. Closed to fishing from boats May through July. DNR Alaska State Parks campground with seasonal closures.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: Sterling Highway milepost 83. follow Scout Lake Loop for about 3 miles until it turns into Lou Morgan Road. Follow Lou Morgan Road for 2.1 miles where you will arrive at the campground.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Scheffler Creek
- Seward
- ~2h05
Scheffler Creek flows out of the Seward Lagoon located in the community of Seward, Alaska.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eklutna Tailrace king salmon fishery
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- mid May-mid July
Eklutna Tailrace king salmon fishery (year round- best fishing during June). This is a stocked terminal fishery that stays open even when wild stock fisheries are restricted. Access is by highway vehicle off the Old Glenn Highway (Butte area). The parking area has spots for some 75 vehicles; dumpsters and vault latrines also on site.
- Chinook (king)
Access: MP 3.5 Old Glenn Highway
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chester Creek
- Anchorage
- in town
Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing should be fair in Chester Creek near Behm/APU Lake.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kenai personal use dipnet
- Kenai
- ~2h53
- July 10 to July 31
Kenai personal use dipnet (July 10 to July 31) The Kenai River dipnet fishery takes place at the mouth of the Kenai River and targets late-run sockeye salmon. This is the largest personal use fishery in the state and attracts large crowds, especially on the last 2 weekends in July. The fishery consist of a shore based section and also a boat fishery. Main access is through the public access sites on the North and South Kenai beaches for shore anglers. Boat anglers mainly access through the City of Kenai dock or navigate downstream form Eagle Rock boat launch. The fishery is open to Alaska Residents only.
- Sockeye
Access: North shore access - The City of Kenai has provided a large day-use parking area and limited overnight RV camping at the end of South Spruce Street. Parking & camping spots are marked. The City of Kenai charges fees for parking and for camping. Tow trucks make regular visits to the area. Alaska Avenue (beach road near the parking area) is for loading and unloading only! Since this access road is so narrow, RVs are not allowed. On the north shore, motor vehicles (including ATV/4-wheelers) are allowed only to the west of the vehicle access point (turn to the right). Motor vehicles are not allowed from the vehicle access point east (turning to the left) to the mouth of the river.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Stariski Creek
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- Dolly Varden (mid July through October), pink salmon (July through August), coho salmon (mid-August through mid-September), and steelhead (September and October).
Stariski Creek is closed to fishing for king salmon.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
Access: The pullout at the Sterling Highway Bridge is the best place to access Stariski Creek. Tall Tree Avenue to the north of the bridge also crosses the upstream section of Stariski Creek. The mouth of Stariski Creek can be popular for coho salmon fishing, but the best way to access it is by taking a four-wheeler two miles north on the beach from the Whiskey Gulch beach access. Be mindful that high tides can prevent your return to the Whiskey Gulch area if you do this.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Upper Middle Fork Gulkana
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Closed to fishing of king salmon. The waters of Hungry Hollow and the Middle Fork Gulkana from Dickey Lake to an ADFG marker about 3-miles below Dickey Lake are closed to fishing from April 15 - June 14. sockeye salmon June 1 - Sept 30, Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and steelhead trout are present year-round
The upper Middle Fork of the Gulkana River extends from Dickey Lake down to the confluence with the mainstem Gulkana River, but most the fishing occurs from Dickey Lake to Hungry Hollow Creek.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Arctic grayling
- Whitefish
Access: Most access to this river section is via ATV down the Swede Lake Trail at mile 16 of the Denali Highway. The 10-mile trail is well developed and passable by most any ATV. The trail continue past the Middle Fork River an another 10 miles to Dickey Lake. Although people float the entire Middle Fork it is a long float with little good fishing below Hungry Hollow Creek.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lower Gulkana River
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- king salmon May 15 - July 19, sockeye salmon June 1 - Sept 30, Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and steelhead trout year-round
The lower Gulkana River extends from the BLM Sourdough campground (Mile 147.5 Richardson Highway) downstream to the confluence with the Copper River (32-mile section of river). The Gulkana is generally a clear water river with low to medium flow levels and family friendly floating. After heavy rain periods the water can be murky and difficult to fish. Although some anglers float the river down from Sourdough, most float from the Sailor's pit access point (mile 130 of the Richardson Highway) down to the Richardson Highway Bridge. Some anglers use jet boats to run upstream for 2 - 3 miles from the bridge or motor downstream (if water levels are high enough) to fish the mouth of the River. The area around the bridge provides for good king and sockeye salmon fishing. Most land along the river is privately owned by area Native Villages or Corporations and an access permit may be needed if you travel across these lands.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Arctic grayling
- Whitefish
Access: Access is by foot around the Richardson Highway bridge. Anglers can also access this part of the river via short 17B easement foot trails at mile 137 and mile 141 of the Richardson Highway. Floaters carry their rafts to the river for launching. Power boats launch at an undeveloped launch within the highway right of way at the Richardson Highway Bridge and at a developed launch at the Sourdough Campground. There are no launch fees at either site. Power boaters generally cannot navigate completely between these two launch sites due a section of high gradient river about midway between Sourdough and the Bridge.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Klutina River
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Sockeye salmon are present from June 1 - August but most abundant from the 3rd week of June through mid-July. King salmon are present from June through the end of the season on August 10 and most abundant the last 2 weeks of July. Arctic grayling are rainbow trout are present year-round as are Dolly Varden. The best fishing for Dolly Varden is September and then early in the spring. Steelhead are best fished in the late fall, but are few in number.
The Klutina River flows approximately 30 miles from Klutina Lake to the Copper River. The fast flowing river is glacial and is prone to frequent changes in flow throughout the season. There are established campgrounds where the river crosses the Richardson Highway and primitive campsites along the Klutina Lake road.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Dolly Varden
- Arctic grayling
Access: The Klutina River crosses the Richardson Highway at mile 100 and the Old Richardson Highway at Mile 3. There is about a mile of river between the two highways. Anglers primarily access the river in this area via public walking access within the DOT ROW's and 10-ft wide to-and-along easements along both banks of the river. Easements along the south bank lead from the old Richardson Highway to the mouth of the river. The Klutina Lake Road (also known as the Brenwick Craig Road) parallels the river from the Richardson Highway to just before Klutina Lake. Anglers have free access to the river where the river meets the road ROW. Private lands along the river complicate access.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Upper Gulkana Mainstem
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- king salmon May 15 - July 19, sockeye salmon June 1 - Sept 30, Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and steelhead trout year-round
The lower Gulkana River extends from the BLM Sourdough campground (Mile 147.5 Richardson Highway) upstream to Paxson Lake. Jet boaters access this section of river at Sourdough and can boat upriver for about 15 - 20 miles, but most only go as far as the West Fork confluence as the river shallows greatly above that point. Rafters float down from Paxson Lake about 50 miles over several days to pull out at the Sourdough campground. The river is generally clear and easily rafted from June through September.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Steelhead
- Arctic grayling
- Whitefish
Access: Most access to this river section is by launching rafts at the BLM campground on Paxson Lake at about mile 178 of the Richardson Highway. There is also access by walking or ATV from the Middle Fork Trail at 169.5 of the Richardson Highway. This is a rough 8 mile trail that leads to the confluence of the Middle Fork Gulkana. Power boats launch at the Sourdough Campground. There are no launch fees.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nothing here matches the filters. Clear one to widen.
🎏 Lakes & stocked waters97
Skilak Lake
- Sterling
- ~2h08
- Jun-Sep
Big, glacier-fed lake with lake trout down deep and Dolly Varden near the inlets. Wind comes up fast, respect it.
- Lake trout
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Boat launches at Upper and Lower Skilak off the Skilak Lake Loop Road. Campgrounds on site.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Spin
Gear
No special gear restriction. A boat helps reach the deep-water lake trout.
👥 Crowds
low
Skilak Lake: Cold, deep, glacial lake. Standard lake trout limits apply, verify current numbers. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jewel Lake (Anchorage) 🐣
Jewel Lake (Anchorage)
🐣 STOCKED- Anchorage
- in town
- May-Sep
Stocked city lake made for kids and quick after-work casts. Trout, char, and landlocked salmon.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Jewel Lake Park with a small parking lot, dock, and shore access in west Anchorage.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bait, Spin, Fly
Gear
Stocked lake, standard gear. Kid-friendly.
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 ADF&G stocks catchable rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon (Anchorage stocked-lake program).
Anchorage stocked lakes: ADF&G stocks it several times a year. Standard stocked-lake limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kepler-Bradley Lakes (Palmer) 🐣
Kepler-Bradley Lakes (Palmer)
🐣 STOCKED- Palmer
- ~50 min
- May-Sep
Roadside stocked lakes made for a quick outing. Trout, char, and landlocked salmon from the bank or a canoe.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area on the Glenn Highway: trails, launches, day-use sites.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bait, Spin, Fly
Gear
Stocked lakes, standard gear, great for kids.
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon (Matanuska Lakes SRA program).
Mat-Su stocked lakes: Stocked several times a year. Standard limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Lucille (Wasilla) 🐣
Lake Lucille (Wasilla)
🐣 STOCKED- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- May-Sep
In-town lake with pike and stocked trout. Boardwalk and boat launch make it an easy after-work cast.
- Northern pike
- Rainbow trout
Access: Lake Lucille Park boat launch and boardwalk off Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Troll
Gear
Pike are invasive, no limit, do not move them live.
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout; also holds illegally introduced northern pike that suppress the trout.
Mat-Su lakes: Harvest all pike. Stocked trout have standard limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Byers Lake (Denali State Park)
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- Jun-Sep
Quiet clear lake under Denali views. Lake trout, whitefish, and burbot, best from a canoe.
- Lake trout
- Whitefish
- Burbot
Access: Byers Lake Campground on the Parks Highway with a boat launch and lakeside trail.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
Gear
No motorized boats on the lake, paddle craft only. Standard limits.
👥 Crowds
low
Byers Lake: Paddle-only lake in Denali State Park. Standard limits, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/byerslkcamp.htm ↗Full details
Grayling Lake (hike-in)
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Jul-Sep
Short forest hike to an underrated grayling lake. Rarely crowded, dry-fly heaven on a calm evening.
- Arctic grayling
- Rainbow trout
Access: 3.5 mile trail from the Grayling Lake trailhead on the Seward Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin
Gear
No special gear restriction. Bring a small pack rod, it is a walk in.
👥 Crowds
low
Seward Highway lakes: Grayling are fragile, handle gently if releasing. Standard limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ptarmigan Lake (hike-in)
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Jul-Sep
Glacial-blue lake at the end of an easy-graded trail. Dolly Varden and grayling below big ridges.
- Dolly Varden
- Arctic grayling
Access: 3.5 mile trail from Ptarmigan Creek Campground on the Seward Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin
Gear
No special gear restriction. Pack-in water.
👥 Crowds
low
Seward Highway lakes: Standard limits, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Trail Lakes (Moose Pass)
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Jun-Sep
Roadside lakes with lake trout, Dollies, and a hatchery nearby. Easy launch and bank spots.
- Lake trout
- Dolly Varden
- Rainbow trout
Access: Bank and launch access off the Seward Highway near Moose Pass.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Spin
Gear
No special gear restriction.
👥 Crowds
low
Trail Lakes: Standard limits. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Louise (Glenn Highway)
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
Big high-country lake famous for lake trout and burbot. Ice fishing draws a winter crowd too.
- Lake trout
- Burbot
- Arctic grayling
- Whitefish
Access: Lake Louise Road off the Glenn Highway to state recreation sites with launches and campgrounds.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Ice fishing
Gear
No special gear restriction. Big water, watch the wind.
👥 Crowds
low
Lake Louise: Trophy lake trout water with a winter burbot fishery. Standard limits, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Hidden Lake (Kenai Refuge)
- Sterling
- ~2h08
- Jun-Sep
Easy road-accessible refuge lake with kokanee, lake trout, and Dollies. Family-friendly bank spots and a launch.
- Kokanee
- Lake trout
- Dolly Varden
- Rainbow trout
Access: Hidden Lake Campground and boat launch on the Skilak Lake Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Troll
Gear
No special gear restriction. Good beginner and kid water.
👥 Crowds
low
Hidden Lake (Kenai NWR): Refuge lake with a campground. Standard limits, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
DeLong Lake (Anchorage) 🐣
DeLong Lake (Anchorage)
🐣 STOCKED- Anchorage
- in town
- May-Sep
City stocker lake with a fishing dock, made for kids and quick after-work casts.
- Rainbow trout
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Small park with parking and a fishing dock off Jewel Lake Road and Strawberry Road in southwest Anchorage. Paved path to shore.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
Gear
Bait and multiple hooks allowed.
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with catchable rainbow trout and landlocked salmon.
Anchorage Management Area: Stocked lake, open year round. Rainbow limits are generous but verify current Anchorage-area rules before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sand Lake (Anchorage) 🐣
Sand Lake (Anchorage)
🐣 STOCKED- Anchorage
- in town
- May-Sep
The rare stocker where you can catch five species in an afternoon, char and grayling included.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
- Landlocked salmon
- Lake trout
Access: West Anchorage lake with a small public access point. A float tube or canoe helps you reach the open water.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
Gear
Bait and multiple hooks allowed.
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 One of Anchorage's most diversely stocked lakes: rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, landlocked salmon, and lake trout.
Anchorage Management Area: Residential lake with limited public access. Stocked, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Cheney Lake (Anchorage) 🐣
Cheney Lake (Anchorage)
🐣 STOCKED- Anchorage
- in town
- May-Sep
Easy family stocker in East Anchorage with a paved shoreline path and a swim beach.
- Rainbow trout
- Landlocked salmon
Access: East Anchorage park off Baxter Road with a paved loop path and shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with catchable rainbow trout and landlocked salmon.
Anchorage Management Area: Stocked neighborhood lake, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Taku Lake (Anchorage) 🐣
Taku Lake (Anchorage)
🐣 STOCKED- Anchorage
- in town
- May-Sep
The most accessible midtown stocker, a dock steps from the Campbell Creek bike trail.
- Rainbow trout
- Landlocked salmon
- Arctic grayling
Access: Taku Lake Park off C Street near 76th. Paved parking, a dock, and the Campbell Creek Trail run right past it.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
high
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, and Arctic grayling. Sits on Campbell Creek.
Anchorage Management Area: Stocked lake on the Campbell Creek greenbelt, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Mirror Lake (Chugiak) 🐣
Mirror Lake (Chugiak)
🐣 STOCKED- Chugiak
- ~30 min
- May-Sep
A clear roadside lake with a boat ramp and beach, the first easy stocker north of Anchorage.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Mirror Lake wayside at Mile 23.5 of the Glenn Highway. Picnic area, boat ramp, and a swim beach.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked Chinook (king).
Anchorage Management Area: Stocked lake, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Beach Lake (Chugiak) 🐣
Beach Lake (Chugiak)
🐣 STOCKED- Chugiak
- ~30 min
- May-Sep
A quiet Chugiak park lake for trout, paired with ski and horse trails most anglers miss.
- Rainbow trout
Access: End of Beach Lake Road in Chugiak, inside Beach Lake Park. Trail network with small shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Periodically stocked with rainbow trout.
Anchorage Management Area: Stocked on and off over the years, so runs vary. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Matanuska Lake (Palmer) 🐣
Matanuska Lake (Palmer)
🐣 STOCKED- Palmer
- ~50 min
- May-Sep
The gateway lake of the Matanuska greenbelt, stocked char and landlocked silvers minutes from Palmer.
- Landlocked salmon
- Arctic char
- Rainbow trout
Access: Matanuska Lakes SRA at Mile 36 of the Glenn Highway near Palmer. Parking, trailhead, and shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with landlocked salmon and Arctic char in the Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area.
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Stocked lake in the Matanuska Lakes SRA, separate from Kepler-Bradley in the same rec area. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Finger Lake (Wasilla) 🐣
Finger Lake (Wasilla)
🐣 STOCKED- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- May-Sep
A campground lake east of Wasilla with a launch, stocked char and silvers, and easy shore access.
- Landlocked salmon
- Arctic char
- Rainbow trout
Access: Finger Lake State Recreation Site between Wasilla and Palmer off Bogard Road. Campground, boat launch, and day-use area.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice, Troll
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with landlocked salmon and Arctic char.
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Stocked lake at Finger Lake State Recreation Site, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Bonnie Lake (Glenn Highway) 🐣
Bonnie Lake (Glenn Highway)
🐣 STOCKED- Palmer
- ~50 min
- Jun-Sep
A scenic backroad lake past Chickaloon with a boat launch, rainbows and grayling worth the washboard drive.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: Bonnie Lake Road (1.8 mi of rough gravel) north off the Glenn Highway near Mile 83, northeast of Palmer. Boat launch and outhouse.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice, Troll
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout. Also holds Arctic grayling.
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: Reached by a rough gravel road, high-clearance helps. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sport Lake (Soldotna) 🐣
Sport Lake (Soldotna)
🐣 STOCKED- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- May-Sep
Soldotna's neighborhood stocker, a family trout-and-char option away from the Kenai River combat.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Sport Lake Road off the Sterling Highway east of Soldotna. Small boat launch and shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice, Troll
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with catchable rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon.
Kenai Peninsula (Northern Kenai) Area: Stocked lake, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Watson Lake (Sterling) 🐣
Watson Lake (Sterling)
🐣 STOCKED- Sterling
- ~2h18
- May-Sep
A small roadside campground lake in Sterling, quiet trout fishing a minute off the highway.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
Access: Watson Lake State Recreation Site off the Sterling Highway near Sterling. Campground and shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout and Arctic char.
Kenai Peninsula (Northern Kenai) Area: Stocked lake at Watson Lake State Recreation Site, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Engineer Lake (Skilak Loop) 🐣
Engineer Lake (Skilak Loop)
🐣 STOCKED- Sterling
- ~2h08
- Jun-Sep
A refuge canoe-launch lake on the Skilak Loop, stocked trout with a wilderness feel and easy walk-in.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Off Skilak Lake Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Short trail to a canoe launch, campground nearby.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Fly, Bait, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Refuge lake, stocked. Refuge rules apply on top of state regs. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Encelewski Lake (Kasilof) 🐣
Encelewski Lake (Kasilof)
🐣 STOCKED- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- May-Sep
An out-of-the-way Kasilof stocker for anglers who want trout without a crowd.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
Access: Off Tolum Road and Stol Road in the Kasilof area, a short foot trail from a small cul-de-sac parking spot to the shore.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked yearly with rainbow trout.
Kenai Peninsula (Northern Kenai) Area: Small stocked lake near Mile 115 of the Sterling Highway. No boat launch. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Crescent Lake (Cooper Landing)
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jul-Aug
The Kenai's trophy-grayling secret, a hike to 18-inch sailfins and a rowboat cabin.
- Arctic grayling
- Rainbow trout
Access: Hike in: 3.4 mi to grayling water via the Carter Lake Trail (Seward Hwy Mile 33) or about 6.5 mi via the Crescent Creek Trail off Quartz Creek Road. Bikes allowed on Crescent Creek Trail.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Chugach National Forest / Kenai Peninsula: Wild trophy grayling fishery. Two Forest Service cabins on the lake, each with a rowboat (reserve on recreation.gov). Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Fuller Lakes (Cooper Landing)
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jul-Aug
A sweaty alpine climb above Cooper Landing rewards you with grayling and Dollies in two mountain lakes.
- Arctic grayling
- Dolly Varden
Access: Steep 3-mile climb from the Fuller Lakes Trailhead at Mile 57 of the Sterling Highway, about 1,400 ft of gain.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Wild alpine fishery in the Kenai NWR. Lower Fuller holds grayling, upper holds Dolly Varden. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Swan Lake Canoe Route (Sterling)
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jun-Sep
Thirty lakes linked by portages, paddle into wild rainbow water where a canoe beats any road spot.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Arctic char
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Put in at the Canoe Lakes or Portage Lake entrances off Swan Lake Road in the Kenai NWR north of Sterling. A 60-mile connected route with short portages that links to the Moose River.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bait, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Wild fishery across roughly 30 lakes, best trout fishing is from a canoe. Refuge rules apply. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Swanson River Canoe Route (Sterling)
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jun-Sep
The wilder of the two Kenai canoe systems, 40 lakes and a river for paddlers chasing solitude and trout.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Dolly Varden
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Access off Swanson River Road (about 17.5 mi of gravel north into the Kenai NWR) or Swan Lake Road. A canoe-and-portage route.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bait, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Wild fishery, 40 lakes plus 46 river miles, more remote than the Swan Lake route. A few named lakes are fishless. Refuge rules apply. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Bear Lake (Seward) 🐣
Bear Lake (Seward)
🐣 STOCKED- Seward
- ~2h05
- Aug-Sep
A hatchery-boosted silver salmon lake north of town, the freshwater complement to Seward's saltwater coho.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
Access: North of Seward off the Seward Highway and Bear Lake Road. Bank access around the outlet and Bear Creek.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Hatchery silver salmon smolt are released here, supporting a terminal silver return via Bear Creek.
Seward / Resurrection Bay Area: Enhanced terminal silver fishery, timing tracks the hatchery return. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lost Lake (Seward) 🐣
Lost Lake (Seward)
🐣 STOCKED- Seward
- ~2h05
- Jul-Sep
A stunning alpine lake atop one of Seward's best hikes, rainbows with a mountain-basin backdrop.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Hike in only: about 7 mi via the Primrose Trail (Seward Hwy Mile 17) or the Lost Lake Trail (Mile 5.3).
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Originally stocked with rainbow trout (since 1963), now a self-sustaining alpine population.
Chugach National Forest / Seward: Hike-in alpine lake, snow lingers into July. Best fishing at the outlet. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Grouse Lake (Seward) 🐣
Grouse Lake (Seward)
🐣 STOCKED- Seward
- ~2h05
- Jun-Sep
Seward's roadside stocker and go-to winter ice lake, minutes from town off the highway.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
Access: Right off the Seward Highway a few miles north of Seward, small pullout and short walk to shore.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Bank, Ice
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, a reliable local and winter ice-fishing lake.
Seward / Resurrection Bay Area: Stocked lake, open year round including winter ice. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tolsona Lake (Glennallen) 🐣
Tolsona Lake (Glennallen)
🐣 STOCKED- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
A Copper Basin stocker with grayling by day and burbot through the ice, off the Glenn near Glennallen.
- Arctic grayling
- Burbot
- Rainbow trout
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Tolsona Lake Road at Mile 170 of the Glenn Highway, about 16 miles west of Glennallen. A lodge plus a public access point.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Jig, Ice, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked in the Upper Copper-Susitna program (grayling, rainbow, landlocked salmon). Also wild burbot.
Upper Copper / Upper Susitna Area: Stocked lake with a wild burbot fishery best through the ice. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Johnson Lake SRA (Kasilof) 🐣
Johnson Lake SRA (Kasilof)
🐣 STOCKED- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- May-Sep
A campground stocker off the Sterling Highway, the easy trout stop while the Kasilof kings are closed.
- Rainbow trout
- Landlocked salmon
Access: Johnson Lake State Recreation Area at Mile 110 of the Sterling Highway near Kasilof. Campground, day-use, and shore access.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank, Ice
Gear
Bait and multiple hooks allowed year-round.
👥 Crowds
med
🐣 Stocked with catchable rainbow trout and landlocked salmon.
Kenai Peninsula (Northern Kenai) Area: Stocked lake at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, open year round. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/johnsonlksra.htm ↗Full details
Quartz Lake State Recreation Area
- Big Delta
- Full day, 6h29
- Open water May through September; ice fishing through the winter once safe.
The best-known road-accessible lake fishery in the Interior, over 34,000 fish harvested a year. Stocked with Arctic char, king and coho salmon and rainbow trout; two boat launches and a handicap-accessible fishing dock. Ice fishing is popular in winter.
- Arctic char
- king salmon
- coho salmon
- rainbow trout
Access: Quartz Lake State Recreation Area, Mile 277.8 Richardson Highway, then east on Quartz Lake Road about 2.7 miles. Camping area, two public boat launches, picnic sites, cabins; a day-use and camping fee applies.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Ice
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod in open water; jigging through the ice in winter
👥 Crowds
very high
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Stocked lake bag limits differ from wild-fish waters; check the current Tanana Drainage stocked-lakes limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/northern/qtzlksra.htm ↗Full details
Harding Lake State Recreation Area
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Open water May through September; ice fishing in winter.
A large, road-accessible Interior lake stocked with Arctic char and rainbow trout, with a public boat launch, swimming beach and burbot naturally present. Closed year-round to fishing for northern pike.
- Arctic char
- rainbow trout
- burbot
Access: Harding Lake State Recreation Area, Mile 321.5 Richardson Highway, turn east onto Harding Drive. Public boat launch, picnicking, camping, swimming; a day-use and camping fee applies.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Ice
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod; set lines or jigging for burbot in winter
👥 Crowds
high
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Harding Lake is closed year-round to northern pike fishing; check current stocked-lake limits for char and trout. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/northern/hardinglksra.htm ↗Full details
Little Harding Lake
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Open water May through September.
A small stocked rainbow trout pond near its larger namesake, with no facilities, a quieter alternative to Harding Lake itself.
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 319.3 Richardson Highway, east onto Salcha Drive, then south and west per the ADF&G stocking guide's turn-by-turn directions; no facilities.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Birch Lake
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Open water May through September; ice fishing in winter.
A large road-accessible lake stocked with king salmon, grayling and rainbow trout, with a sand beach, public boat launch and primitive camping.
- king salmon
- Arctic grayling
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 306 Richardson Highway, lake sits directly north of the highway. Public pull-off, parking, boat launch, sand beach and primitive camping; no fee found for day use.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Ice
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
high
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lost Lake (Birch Lake area)
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Open water May through September.
A stocked lake a short drive off the Richardson Highway near Birch Lake, with a parking area, boat launch and a Boy Scout camp on its shore.
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 306.2 Richardson Highway, turn south onto Lost Lake Road and drive about 0.75 miles to the lake. Parking area and boat launch.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Koole Lake (winter access only)
- Salcha
- Full day, 7h22
- Winter, via the frozen Tanana River crossing; not summer-accessible by trail.
A remote stocked lake reached only by a winter trail that crosses the Tanana River; no facilities, and it is not reachable by vehicle in summer at all.
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
- king salmon
- rainbow trout
- coho salmon
Access: Trailhead at Mile 306.2 Richardson Highway, south of Birch Lake; the trail crosses the Tanana River and is only usable when the river is safely frozen. No facilities at the lake.
More details
🪝 Methods
Ice
Gear
Ice auger and jigging gear; snowmachine or long ski/snowshoe approach
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits and ice conditions on the Tanana crossing before you go; this is a genuinely remote trip, not a roadside stop. ADF&G current rules ↗
Donnelly Lake
- Big Delta
- Full day, 6h29
- Open water May through September.
A small stocked rainbow trout lake in the Donnelly Dome area, reached by a short trail off the Richardson Highway.
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 244.6 Richardson Highway, trail on the east side of the road, about 0.5 miles to the lake. No facilities.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Bluff Cabin Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Open water May through September; trail conditions vary by season.
A stocked rainbow trout lake reached by a rough, often-muddy ATV trail north of Delta Junction; no facilities.
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 271.8 Richardson Highway, north on Tanana Loop Road 1.3 miles, right at the junction, 2.3 miles to the ATV trailhead, then north 4 miles on a rough, muddy trail to the lake.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chena Lake, Chena Lakes Recreation Area
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Open water May through September; ice fishing in winter.
A 259-acre stocked lake at the FNSB-run Chena Lakes Recreation Area near North Pole, with a swimming beach, boat rental, and a handicap-accessible fishing dock. Stocked with Arctic char, landlocked king and silver salmon, and rainbow trout.
- Arctic char
- king salmon
- coho salmon
- rainbow trout
Access: Chena Lakes Recreation Area, 3780 Laurance Road, North Pole; a Fairbanks North Star Borough park with a summer day-use fee. Handicap-accessible fishing dock, boat rental, non-motorized boating only.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Boat, Ice
Gear
Spinning gear or fly rod; non-motorized boats only
👥 Crowds
very high
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ballaine Lake
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
- Open water May through September.
A small, easy-to-reach stocked pond right off University Avenue near UAF, good for a quick evening cast without leaving town. A small pavilion sits near the parking area.
- Arctic grayling
Access: From the intersection of University Avenue and College Road, Fairbanks, travel north on University Avenue about 1 mile; the lake is on the west side of the road. Small pavilion and parking area, no fee.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Fly, Spin
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Olnes Pond
- Fox
- Full day, 6h51
- Open water May through September.
A stocked pond off the Elliott Highway that doubles as the closest public foot access to the Chatanika River itself, via trails from the same parking area.
- Arctic grayling
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 10 Elliott Highway (about 18 miles north of Fairbanks), turn southwest onto a dirt road and travel about 1 mile to the pond on the right. Picnic tables; also the trailhead for reaching the Chatanika River on foot.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Twin Bears pond, Chena Hot Springs Road
- Chena Hot Springs
- Full day, 7h56
- Open water May through September.
A small stocked grayling pond at Mile 30 of Chena Hot Springs Road, next to the Twin Bears camp (available to rent through the Fairbanks Rescue Mission). Park outside the camp fence and walk in.
- Arctic grayling
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 30 Chena Hot Springs Road, turn in at the Twin Bears camp, park outside the fence and walk about 100 yards to the pond.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jan Lake
- Tok
- Full day, 6h17
- Open water May through September.
A day-use stocked lake right off the Alaska Highway with king salmon, rainbow trout and silver salmon; camping is not allowed here.
- king salmon
- rainbow trout
- coho salmon
Access: Mile 1353.5 Alaska Highway, turn east on a gravel road, 0.25 miles to the lake. Day use only, no camping.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
moderate
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Minto Lakes
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
- June-Oct.: northern pike, sheefish
The Minto Flats wetland complex is located approximately 31 miles west of Fairbanks within the Tanana River drainage. This area of marshes and lakes is interconnected by numerous sloughs and five rivers: Goldstream Creek and the Chatanika, Tatalina, Tolovana, and Tanana rivers. This entire area is collectively managed by ADF&G under the heading "Tolovana River drainage". Northern pike spend the summers feeding in MInto Lakes and nearby rivers and sheefish can be found congregating at river confluences.
Access: Accessed from the Murphy Dome Road Extension (approximately 25 miles west of Fairbanks). You can launch a jet boat into the Chatanika River after traveling 12 miles down an unmaintained, rough, dirt road. Both the road down to the Chatanika River and the launch require high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles, and access to the boat launch may require chains during periods of wet weather. After launching your boat, you travel downriver to Goldstream Creek, then up the Goldstream Creek to the lakes. You can also launch a prop or jet boat into the Tolovana River at the Village of Minto (off the Elliott Highway). The Chatanika River enters the Tolovana River about 10 miles upstream of Minto. Goldstream Creek is another 25 miles up the Chatanika, and Minto Lakes are another 5 miles up Goldstream Creek.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Cushman Lake
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
- May - January: Arctic grayling, northern pike, king salmon, rainbow trout
A former gravel pit adjacent to the Tanana River which is part of the larger Tanana Lakes Recreational Area administered by the Fairbanks Northstar Borough Parks and Recreation. Conveniently located just minutes fromdowntown Fairbanks, Tanana LakesRecreation Area is a 750 acre multi-userecreation area.
Access: Lake complex between South Cushman and Lathrop St. South on South Cushman St. to sign for Tanana Lakes Recreation Area. Turn Right. Continue to parking area.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chena Lake
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Year-round: rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, chinook salmon
Chena Lakes is part of the Chena Lakes Recration Area administered by the Fairbanks North Star Borough. There campsites, nature trails, swimming beaches, bike paths throuout the park. Ice fishing houses are available for rent from the borough parks department.
Access: Mile 346.8 Richardson, turn north onto Laurance Rd, travel 3.3 miles and turn left at sign to lake park, summer fees for access.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Dune Lake
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
- Year-round: Arctic grayling, coho salmon, rainbow trout
Dune Lake is a remote lake located Southwest of Nenana. It can be reached by float plane during summer and by snowmachine or ski plane by winter.
Access: Lake is located 26 air miles south west of Nenana.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Quartz Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Year-round: Arctic char, landlocked salmon, rainbow trout
Quartz Lake is a popular stocked lake near Delta Junction. There is a state recreation area that offers a boat launch, parking, campsites, a cabin and toilets.
Access: Quartz Lake can be accessed from Mile 277.8 Richardson Hwy, east onto Quartz Lake Road, travel 2.7 miles north east to lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Coal Mine Road Lakes
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Year round - Arctic char, lake trout, Rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, landlockled salmon.
The Coal Mine Road Lakes are a group of eight small lakes located on Coal Mine Road just 22 miles south of Delta Junction. The area offers opportunities for camping, hunting, berrypicking, wildlife viewing, and photography. The beautiful vistas surrounded by snowcapped peaks and hanging glaciers offer breathtaking views throughout the year. The eight lakes are managed as recreational fisheries, and all are stocked with at least two species of game fish. During winter months the road is impassable to highway vehicles, due to drifting snow, until mid-June.
Access: Turn east off the Richardson Highway at mile 242.1 to travel on the gravel road 1.5 miles to the fork.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Harding Lake
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Year-round.: lake trout, burbot, Arctic char, kokanee, rainbow trout
Harding Lake is the largest road-accessible lake in the Tanana River drainage with a surface area of 2,500 acres, a maximum depth of 141 feet, and a shoreline length of 8 miles. Approximately 70% of the property bordering the lake is privately owned many lots contain houses, floating docks, and watercrafts. There is a large state operated campground with a boat launch on the northwest corner of the lake. With its proximity to Fairbanks, Harding Lake provides many of recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and water skiing.
Access: Directions: Mile 321.5 Richardson Hwy, turn east onto Harding Dr and follow road to lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lost (Chisholm) Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Year Round
104 acre stocked lake
Access: At milepost 306.2 Richardson Highway, turn south onto Lost Lake Road and drirve 0.75 miles to lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Mosquito Creek (Silver) Lake
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
- Mid-May - December
22 acre stocked lake
Access: At milepost 314.1.2 Richardson Highway, turn east onto Salida Road, travel 120 yards, turn right on Silver Lake Drive. Travel 0.3 miles to a small parking area and ATV trailhead. Travel east on trail for 0.2 miles to lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lost Lake (Kenai Peninsula)
- Seward
- ~2h05
- lake trout
Remote lake stocked with lake trout.
- Lake trout
Access: At mile 5 Seward Highway turn west into Lost Lake subdivision. Follow signs to trailhead.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Otter Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Otter Lake is a picturesque outdoor recreation area nestled amid spruce and birch trees located on the back side of JBER. The boat house offers a variety of rentals for use on the lake during the Summer including:
- Chinook (king)
- Rainbow trout
Access: 1) From Ft. Rich/Arctic Valley gate Drive straight on "D" St. 2.2 miles. Turn right on Otter Lake Road. Continue 2.3 miles onto dirt road and turn left to continue onto Otter Lake Road. Follow dirt road 1.2 mi and turn left to reach lake, chalet, and boat dock. 2) Starting at Boniface gate continue 0.6 mile. Turn right on Vandenberg Ave. and continue for 6.4 miles. Turn right on Fairchild Ave. and follow for 6.3 miles. Arrive at Otter Lake parking area.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Troop Lake
- Seward
- ~2h05
- Year-round: rainbow trout, Arctic char
Remote, walk-in lake stocked with rainbow trout and if available, Arctic char
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
Access: Mile 12.1 Seward Hwy. Turnout on east side of highway. Trail begins on the Iditarod Historical Trail. Approx. 1 mile down trail to new Troop Lake cutoff trail marked with sign. Approx. 1/2 mile farther to lake. Old trail at mile 10.9 is closed. NOTE: Leave No Trace. Keep lake and access sites free of litter.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Clunie Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Clunie Lake is JBER's largest lake and populer recreation area. Great for picnicing, camping, fishing and wildlife viewing.
- Chinook (king)
Access: From Ft. Rich/Arctic Valley gate drive straight on "D" St. 2.2 miles. Turn right on Otter Lake Road and drive 2.3 miles. Continue straight onto Route Bravo for 4.5 miles then turn right at the 3-way intersection onto Artillary Road. (there is a sign that reads “To All Lakes?”). Continue for 3.7 miles until the turnoff for Clunie Lake (there is a sign at the turn off) on the right.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Finger Lake
- Palmer
- ~50 min
- All year round
Finger Lake is located 0.7 mile west of the Trunk Road/Bogard Road intersection.The recreation site provides lake access for boaters and sport fisherman. Finger Lake has good fishing for Rainbow, Arctic Char, and Grayling with access to winter ice fishing.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
Access: Mile 41.8 Glenn Hwy. East on Palmer-Wasilla Hwy 4 miles to Trunk Rd. Right on Trunk Rd 1.1 miles to Bogard Rd. Left on Bogard Rd. 0.7 mile to Finger Lake State Recreation Site. Left on gravel road 0.2 mile to lake and campground with picnic tables, toilet facilities and developed boat launch. Fees required for camping and launching. NOTE: Public access is limited to Finger Lake State Recreation Site. The majority of lake shoreline is privately owned. Please respect private property.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Meridian Lake
- Seward
- ~2h05
- Year-round: rainbow trout
Remote walk-in lake reached by a segment of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, with rustic campsites at the lake.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Mile 13.2 Seward Hwy. Grayling Lake Trailhead is on the west side of the Seward Hwy. Hike 1.0 mile to “Y” in trail. Take the right fork of the trail approximately 0.4 miles to Meridian/Long Lakes junction. Take the right fork of the trail approximately 0.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Rainbow Lake
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Year-round: rainbow trout
Remote stocked lake accessible by short hike (0.5 miles). Designated camping area, picnic table, and bear proof food locker at access site.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Mile 47.9 Sterling Hwy. Turn south on Snug Harbor Rd and Drive 10 miles and park at Rainbow Lake Trailhead.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Edmonds Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Lake stocked by ADF&G and is located North of Mirror Lake which is near Chugiak, Alaska.
- Rainbow trout
Access: From MP 23.6 Glenn Highway to Take Mirror Lake exit and turn left at the “T”. Drive roughly 1.3 miles to Paradise Lane and take a right. Lake access is a short distance drive down Paradise Lane.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Beach Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Stocked lake with rainbow trout and land-locked king salmon
- Landlocked salmon
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: From MP 20.9 Glenn Highway to Take South Birchwood exit and turn west past Chugiak High School. Drive roughly 0.9 mile to Beach Lake Road. Take a left on Beach Lake Road and drive 2 miles to Beach Lake. This lake is best fished from a canoe or inflatable.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Goober Lake
- Sheep Mountain
- ~2h13
- Mid-June-October
Remote Stocked Lake. ADF&G hatchery staff stock Goober Lake with rainbow trout fingerling (2-4”) and Arctic grayling catchables (7-14”) mid-summer. Some of those fingerling from previous stocking events have grown into good-sized fish.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: The trail to the lake is found on Alascom Road off the Glenn Highway (mile 118.4). Pass Knob Lake (on your right), and park at the small pull off just past the lake on the left. The trail to the lake can be found there. The trail is about 8 miles each way.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Little Campbell Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Inside Kincaid park, this hidden lake host fishing, swimming and areas for picnicing.
- Chinook (king)
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
Access: From Kincaid Park’s Raspberry Road, follow the sign for Lake parking. The lot holds about 20 cars.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sand Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Lake is stocked by ADF&G and is located in Anchorage, Alaska. This is one of the largest lake in the Anchorage Area although shore access is limited. During the open water season it is often easiest for anglers to access lake using a canoe or boat. There is no public boat launch.
- Landlocked salmon
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
Access: From MP 122.2 on the New Seward Highway to Drive west on Dimond Boulevard roughly 1.2 miles and turn right onto C Street. Head north on C Street roughly 1 mile and turn left onto Raspberry Road. Drive west on Raspberry Road roughly 3.2 miles and turn left on Sand Lake Road. Drive south on Sand Lake road roughly 0.7 mile and turn left onto 80th Ave. Drive 0.5 mile to canal access.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Airstrip Pond
- Whittier
- ~1h17
One of the Portage Valley ponds, stocked with rainbow trout by Alaska Fish and Game and lightly fished.
- Rainbow trout
Access: From MP 48.1 on the Seward Highway to Drive east on Portage Glacier Road for 1 mile to the paved road on north side (Moose Flats Recreation Area). Turn in and follow to Airstrip Pond.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Shrode Lake
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- sockeye salmon mid July, pink salmon mid July to mid august and silver salmon late august
Shrode Lake, a freshwater lake near Long Bay, which is just off Culross Passage in Prince William Sound. Shrode Lake is separated from the saltwater Long Bay by a lagoon. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Access by float plane is 45 minutes from Anchorage and 55 minutes from Cordova. By boat the trip is 25 miles from Whittier into Long Bay, then an additional one-mile hike on a trail to reach the lake. The trailhead at Long Bay is very tidal dependent and best accessed at a high tide with a small boat.
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Upper Sixmile Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson north of Anchorage. Limited access - best to use boat or canoe. Check special regulations in July
- Rainbow trout
Access: From Boniface gate, drive straight onto Vandenberg Ave. for 0.7 mile. Turn right at stoplight to stay on Vandenberg Ave. and continue 1.9 miles. Turn right onto Talley Road (dirt road with sign “To Lakes”), and continue 1.2 miles to where the road separates Upper and Lower Sixmile lakes. Upper Sixmile Lake is on the right (East) and Lower Sixmile Lake is on the left (West). Parking is along roadway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Coghill Lake
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- sockeye salmon mid June through early July, pink and chum salmon July and august, coho salmon in august and September. Dolly varden may through oct
USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
Access: Coghill lake can be accessed by float plan or by boat. Travel by boat to the mouth of the creek. A small jet skiff ride about 15 minutes long to get to the cabin. ADFG operates a fish weir in the river from approximately June - August.
More details
Upper Russian Lake
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Closed to salmon fishing. Year-round for all other species.
USFS log cabin on Upper Russian Lake in the Chugach National Forest, reached via the Russian Lakes Trail, with fishing and a rowboat provided.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Park at Russian River Campground and take the Russian Lakes Trail past the Lower Russian Lake to upper lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Johnson Lake
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- rainbow trout
Stocked lake with catchable sized/brood stock rainbow trout. DNR Alaska State Parks campground, day use area, and boat launch. Electric motors only. Excellent fishing year-round.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Mile 110.5 Sterling Hwy. East on Johnson Lake Road 0.5 mile to Tustumena Lake Road. Left on Tustumena Lake Rd. 0.1 mile to Johnson Lake State Recreation Area entrance on the right with camping, toilets, water, picnic shelters, and boat launch. Non-motorized or electric motors only). NOTE: Please respect property. Keep lake and access sites free of litter. Status: State Rec. Area
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Waldon Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Lake is stocked by ADF&G and is located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson north of Anchorage.
- Rainbow trout
Access: From Ft. Rich/Arctic Valley gate drive straight on "D" Street 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Otter Lake Road and continue 2.3 miles on the dirt road. Continue straight where the road turns into Route Bravo for 4.5 miles. Turn right at the three-way intersection onto Artillary Road (there is a sign that reads “To All Lakes?”). Follow road for 4.4 miles then turn left towards the lake (turn at sign that reads “Walden Lake”).
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Triangle Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Lake is stocked by ADF&G and is located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson north of Anchorage, Alaska.
- Chinook (king)
- Rainbow trout
Access: From the Boniface gate continue straight on Vandenberg Ave. for 0.7 mile. Turn right at stoplight and stay on Vandenberg Ave. for 1.9 mile then turn right onto Talley Road (dirt road with sign “To Lakes”). Drive 0.2 mile and turn left onto Dena'ina Road (dirt road). Continue 0.9 mile then turn right (signage reads “Triangle Lake”) and drive up hill then descend towards lake at bottom of hill.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Hillberg Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Populer for ice fishing on JBER. Rowing, paddling, and the use of an electric trolling motor are allowed.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
Access: Starting at Boniface gate, continue straight onto Vandenberg Ave. At 0.7 mile continue straight at stoplight and Arctic Warrior Drive. Follow 2.3 miles then turn right onto Fairchild Ave. Drive 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Airlifter Drive for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Hillberg Ski Lodge Road, continue 0.2 mile and arrive at lake parking lot. Foot path leads towards lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Second Lake
- Seward
- ~2h05
inside Seward city limits, Two Lakes Trail is easily accessible for First and Second lake
- Rainbow trout
Access: Downtown Seward, trail can be accesed off Vista rd, Hulm Ln. or Behind AVTEC
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Otis
- Anchorage
- in town
- Rainbow trout
Relatively small lake is stocked by ADF&G. This relatively small lake is surrounded by houses and shore access is limited.
Access: From MP 125.3 on the New Seward Highway to Turn left (east) on 36th Ave. and drive for 0.8 miles to Lake Otis Parkway. Take a left onto Lake Otis Parkway and drive 0.2 miles to Cornell Court. Take a left onto Cornell Court and drive 0.1 mile to Carlson Park sign. Access to this lake is through the trail to Carlson Park. Parking is available along Stanford Drive. Follow paved trail roughly 100 yards to lake where you will find picnic tables and handicap access. Canoes and inflatables can be launched but must be carried to the lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
DeLong Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
- Rainbow trout, Landlocked salmon, Arctic Grayling
Relatively small lake is stocked by ADF&G and is located near the Anchorage International Airport.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic grayling
- Kokanee
Access: : From MP 122.2 on the New Seward Highway to Drive west on Dimond Boulevard roughly 1.2 miles and turn right onto C Street. Head north on C Street roughly 1 mile and turn left onto Raspberry Road. Drive west on Raspberry Road roughly 1.3 miles and turn right on Jewel Lake Road. Drive north on Jewel Lake road roughly 0.3 mile and turn left into DeLong Lake parking area.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jewel Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Jewel Lake is located in southwest Anchorage. Great place to fish from shore, and plenty of other great attractions here for families.
- Chinook (king)
- Rainbow trout
Access: Access point 1: From MP 122.2 on the New Seward Highway to Drive west on Dimond Boulevard roughly 3.7 miles and find access to Jewel Lake on the right. Access point 2: From MP 122.2 on the New Seward Highway to Drive west on Dimond Boulevard roughly 3.2 miles and turn right onto Jewel Lake Road. Drive north on Jewel Lake Road roughly 0.2 miles and turn left onto 88th Ave. Drive 0.2 miles on 88th Ave. to Municipality of Anchorage Park with parking
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
University Lake
- Anchorage
- in town
Chester Creek feeds and flows out of University Lake near mid-town in Anchorage, Alaska. Chester Creek is stocked with rainbow trout. This lake is located near the University of Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Pacific University and many people walk their dogs around the lake. This drainages is closed per regulation to protect spawning rainbow trout.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: From New Seward Hwy./Tudor Rd. East on Tudor Rd. 1.6 miles to Bragraw St. Left on Bragaw St. 0.5 mile to University Drive. Right on University Dr. 0.5 mile to parking behind Grace Hall.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Vagt Lake
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Year-round: rainbow trout, Arctic char
Remote, walk-in lake stocked with rainbow trout and, if avaialble, arctic char. Rustic campsites available at the lake.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
Access: Mile 25.1 Seward Hwy. East side of Seward Hwy and south end of Lower Trail Lake cross over railroad tracks on Mine Rd. Parking area is gated off. Park on road right-of-way and walk to Trail Lake where trailhead and USFS sign are.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
The Homer Reservoir
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- Year round. Ice fishing from freeze up (usually November or December) through March
Anglers can fish for Dolly Varden from shore or use small boats like canoes or inflatable kayaks to fish.
- Dolly Varden
Access: The Reservoir is located on Skyline Drive. From Homer, take either East or West Hill Road and turn onto Skyline Drive. Coming from West Hill, Crossman Ridge Road will be on the left. Turn onto that street and follow it down to the reservoir.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
First Lake
- Seward
- ~2h05
- Year-round: Stocked with rainbow trout
Inside Seward city limits, Two Lakes Trail is easily accessible for First and Second lake. Youth-Only Fishery, 4 consecutive days beginning the third Thursday in May each year.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Downtown Seward, trail can be accesed off Vista rd, Hulm Ln. or Behind AVTEC
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Gwen Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Rowing, paddling, and the use of an electric trolling motor are allowed.
- Rainbow trout
Access: From Ft. Rich/Arctic Valley gate, continue straight on "D" St. for 2.2 miles. Turn right on Otter Lake Road. Drive 2.3 miles and continue straight onto Route Bravo. Continue 1.3 miles, turn right on unmarked Gwen Lake Road (There will be a sign down the hill from the turn where the road T’s that reads “Gwen Lake”). Veer right at the sign. In less than 0.1 mile the road dead ends at the lake and an undeveloped boat launch.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Symphony Lake
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Alpine lake in the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage with Arctic grayling fishing for those who make the hike in.
- Arctic grayling
Access: Mile 11.6 Glenn Hwy. Hiland Rd. Exit. South on Hiland Rd. 7 miles to South Fork Eagle River Valley Trailhead in Chugach State Park. 5 miles on trail to Symphony Lake and Eagle Lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Grouse Lake
- Seward
- ~2h05
- May-June/Aug.-Sept.: Dolly Varden; Dec.-Apr.: ice fishing
During the open water sea-son the best fishing is when Dolly Varden enter (August-September) and exit (mid-May through early June) the lake.
- Dolly Varden
Access: Grouse Lake can be accessed via the SewardHighway at Mile 7.4.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Long Lake (Kenai Peninsula)
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
- Year-round: rainbow trout
Remote, walk-in lake with rustic camping sites at the south end of the lake.
- Rainbow trout
Access: Mile 13.2 Seward Hwy. Grayling Lake Trailhead is on the west side of the Seward Hwy. Hike 1.0 mile to “Y” in trail. Take the right fork of the trail approximately 0.4 miles to Meridian/Long Lakes junction. Long Lake trailhead is to the left shortly before reaching Meridian Lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Gergie Lake
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Year-round
Stocked lake with good rainbow trout fishing in summer and fall. Lake often winterkills by December. Trail to the lake is very rutted and makes for a very challenging 4-wheeler ride.
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
Access: Mile 155 Glenn Hwy, trail is located approximately 0.7 miles south of highway via Gergie Lake ATV Trail.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Crosswind Lake
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Year-round: Crosswind Lake provides for both open water and ice fishing opportunities.
Crosswind Lake is a remote lake accessible by snowmachine in winter and by air. Summer access by ATV is very difficult in the wet terrain. It is a large (9,182 acres) clear lake with a maximum depth of 120 feet.
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
- Burbot
- Whitefish
Access: Crosswind Lake is primarily a fly-in lake or winter access. Most people access it in winter on well groomed trails from Lake Louise or Tolsona Lakes along the Glenn Highway. Trails are between 14 and 18 miles in length and take 30 - 60 minutes to travel in winter.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tangle Lakes
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Year-round: lake trout, burbot, Arctic grayling
Tangle Lakes are well known for fishing for lake trout and the starting point for the Delta National Wild, Scenic and Recreational River float trip. The Tangle Lakes complex is made up of multiple lakes connected by the Tangle River and accessed from the Denali Highway.
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
- Burbot
Access: Tangle Lakes can be accessed from the Richardson Highway. Turn west onto the Denali Highway and travel the scenic 21.5 miles till you cross the Tangle River bridge. There is a Tangle Lakes BLM campground sign after the Tangle River bridge.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Swede Lake
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Year-round: Lake trout all year. Burbot primarily in the winter. Arctic grayling in spring and summer.
Excellent fishing located 2 miles south of Little Swede Lake.
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
- Burbot
- Whitefish
Access: Two miles south of the Denali Hwy.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Silver Lake
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Year-round: non-migratory, fishing is good all year.
Silver Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and has a small natural population of Dolly Varden. Access is non-motorized via a 1/4 mile private driveway between milepost 10.8 of the McCarthy Road and north end of the lake. The access easement is only 20 feet wide with limited fishing opportunity where it meets the lake. Anglers should bring canoes, small portable boats, or pack rafts to access good fising sites. There are camp sites toward the middle and south end of the lake. Anglers can also access Van lake to the West of Silver Lake via boat and a short portage.
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
Access: Mile 10.8 McCarthy Rd, park on McCarthy Rd and follow foot trail to lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Paxson Lake
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- This lake is easily accessible all year providing fishing winter and summer and even during breakup from shore.
Paxson Lake is located along the Richardson Highway at mile 180 of the Richardson Highway. It is a large (3,849 acres) clear lake with a maximum depth of 200 feet. The lake is easily navigated with either prop or jet boats.
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
- Burbot
- Whitefish
Access: The Richardson Highway parallels the eastern shore of the lake and offers three separate pullouts with lake access. BLM maintains a campground at mile 175 of the Richardson highway with a well maintained boat launch. There are two other primitive boat launches to toward the northern end of the lake. In winter there are locations for snow machining.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Rapids Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Year-round: rainbow trout, lake trout
Rapids Lake is a stocked Lake set in the middle of the Alaska Range. The lake is long and narrow in the cut of a canyon and offers a view to the north of the Gunnysack Creek drainage and a view to the South of the mountains east of Black Rapids glacier. The shoreline is steep and better fished with a canoe or inflatable raft.
- Rainbow trout
- Lake trout
Access: Take the Richardson Highway south of Delta Junction towards Glennallen, at mile 225.4 turn into a pull out on the west side of the road. Lake is located 100yards east of the highway through the woods.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Fielding Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Year-round: Arctic grayling, Oct-Aug.: lake trout, burbot
Fielding Lake is a scenic lake nestled among the tundra hills of the Alaska Range and well known for its lake trout fishing. Fielding Lake has a State recreation site with a boat launch and public use cabin.
- Arctic grayling
- Lake trout
- Burbot
Access: Fielding Lake can be accessed from the Richardson Highway at mile 200.5. Travel 1.5 miles to the lake and state recreation site.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Craig Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Open water May through September.
A small stocked rainbow trout lake reached by a short trail off the Alaska Highway.
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 1387.7 Alaska Highway, turn southwest at the stop sign post and follow the dirt road 1 mile to the trailhead sign on the west side of the road, then a 0.4-mile trail through birch forest to the lake. Private property borders the first 0.1 miles of the trail.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nickel Lake
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
- Open water May through September.
A small stocked lake on the Donnelly Training Area southwest of Delta Junction, with Arctic char, grayling and lake trout as well as rainbow trout. Army land, so a Recreational Access Permit is required. No facilities.
- Arctic char
- Arctic grayling
- lake trout
- rainbow trout
Access: Mile 257.6 Richardson Highway, turn west onto Meadows Road into the Donnelly Training Area. At mile 7.5 turn left onto Windy Ridge Road and go 3.1 miles; the lake is on the south side of the road. Army land: a Recreational Access Permit is required (usartrak.isportsman.net, or 907-873-1616 in Delta). No facilities.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank
Gear
Light spinning gear or fly rod
👥 Crowds
low
Tanana River Drainage, stocked lake: Check current stocked-lake limits before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nothing here matches the filters. Clear one to widen.
Saltwater & beaches31
Resurrection Bay (Seward)
- Seward
- ~2h05
- May-Sep
Deep saltwater out of Seward for silvers, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Charters run daily in summer.
- Coho (silver)
- Halibut
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
- Chinook (king)
Access: Charters and private boats out of the Seward small-boat harbor. Some shore silver fishing at the harbor.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
Gear
Lingcod season opens in summer. A federal halibut stamp is required for halibut.
🧾 Permit
Federal halibut stamp
👥 Crowds
med
Resurrection Bay saltwater: Rockfish release tools are required. Halibut and lingcod have separate seasons and limits. Verify all. ADF&G current rules ↗
Homer / Kachemak Bay (saltwater)
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- May-Sep
Halibut capital of the world energy. Big flatfish, rockfish, lingcod, and silvers out of the Spit.
- Halibut
- Coho (silver)
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
- Chinook (king)
Access: Charters and boat launch on the Homer Spit. Shore silver fishing at the Nick Dudiak lagoon.
More details
🪝 Methods
Jig, Bait, Troll
Gear
A federal halibut stamp is required. Rockfish release devices are mandatory.
🧾 Permit
Federal halibut stamp
👥 Crowds
high
Kachemak Bay / Lower Cook Inlet: Charter halibut has stricter limits than private boats. Lingcod and rockfish have their own seasons. Verify all. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (Homer) 🐣
Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (Homer)
🐣 STOCKED- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- Jun-Sep
The Fishing Hole on the Spit. A stocked saltwater lagoon where you catch kings and silvers from the beach.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Shore access all around the lagoon on the Homer Spit, with parking and campgrounds nearby.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
Gear
Terminal hatchery fishery, no boat needed. Fishes best on the incoming tide.
👥 Crowds
high
🐣 Terminal enhancement fishery: hatchery king and coho smolt are released here so returning salmon can be caught from shore on the Homer Spit.
Nick Dudiak Lagoon (Homer): Snag rules and limits differ from the open bay. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Whittier / Prince William Sound (saltwater)
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- May-Sep
Gateway to the Sound through the tunnel. Silvers, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod in sheltered water.
- Coho (silver)
- Halibut
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
- Chinook (king)
Access: Charters and launch at the Whittier harbor, reached by the Anton Anderson tunnel.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
Gear
A federal halibut stamp is required. Rockfish release devices are mandatory.
🧾 Permit
Federal halibut stamp
👥 Crowds
med
Prince William Sound saltwater: Plan around the Whittier tunnel schedule. Halibut, lingcod, and rockfish each have their own rules. Verify all. ADF&G current rules ↗
Valdez / Allison Point (saltwater)
- Valdez
- Full day, 5h38
- Jun-Sep
Shore-cast silvers and pinks stack up at Allison Point. Halibut and rockfish charters run the Sound.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Halibut
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
Access: Shore access along the Richardson Highway at Allison Point, plus charters from the Valdez harbor.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Jig, Bait, Troll
Gear
Shore fishing at Allison Point needs no boat. A federal halibut stamp is required offshore.
🧾 Permit
Federal halibut stamp for saltwater trips
👥 Crowds
med
Valdez / Prince William Sound: Hatchery silvers and pinks pour past Allison Point. Halibut and rockfish have their own rules, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Homer Spit end (shore fishing)
- Homer
- Full day, 4h35
- Jun-Sep
The gravel beach at the tip of the Spit drops into deep water, so you can surfcast for bottomfish on any tide.
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
- Dolly Varden
- Rockfish
- Halibut
Access: Paved parking between Land's End Resort and the ferry terminal at the tip of the Homer Spit. Deep water just offshore. Restrooms on site.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
Gear
A 9 to 12 foot surfcasting rod set up with bait herring and a 4 ounce weight is a common way to fish here. Casting spinners can work too.
👥 Crowds
high
Kachemak Bay: Cast from the cobble beach on any tide. Feeder (winter) kings all year, coho mid-Jul to mid-Sep, bottomfish year round. The pilings by the ferry dock are the popular casting spot. No boat needed. ADF&G current rules ↗
Mud Bay (Homer Spit)
- Homer
- Full day, 4h35
- Jul-Aug
Watch the flats for jumpers on an incoming tide, then cast for pinks and silvers off the gravel edge.
- Pink (humpy)
- Coho (silver)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Park at the base of the Spit or the Kachemak Drive beach access. Reach the gravel below the bike path. Restrooms at Mariner Park.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Kachemak Bay: Fish the high tide for pinks and silvers off the flats at the base of the Spit. Do NOT walk the soft deep mud below the high-tide line, it is dangerous. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seldovia Slough (shore fishing) ⛴️
- Seldovia
- late May to Sep
One of the few places you can catch a king right off a road bridge, when the spring slough run pushes in.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
Access: Walk-on access at the Seldovia Slough bridge and town dock. Reach Seldovia by ferry or water taxi from Homer, or fly in.
⛴️ Getting there: No road. AMHS ferry or water taxi from Homer, book ahead. The slough bridge and town dock are a short walk from the harbor.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
low
Kachemak Bay: SELDOVIA IS FERRY/AIR ONLY, no road access. Kings off the slough bridge late May to early Jun, reds and silvers off the town dock in mid-summer. Shore infrastructure is limited and tide dependent. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seward Lagoon shore fishery
- Seward
- ~2h05
- May-Sep
Seward's in-town beaches give bank anglers a real shot at hatchery kings in June and silvers into September.
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
- Pink (humpy)
- Sockeye
Access: Fish 2 to 3 hours before high tide from the lagoon-outfall gravel, the boat-launch beach, and the breakwater walls (yield to boats).
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
Gear
Only one hook, single or treble, per line. Artificial lures or flies and bait are legal. Youth fishery only.
👥 Crowds
high
Resurrection Bay Terminal Harvest Area: Three main surf spots: south of the small boat launch, the Seward Lagoon outflow, and the mouth of Lowell Creek. Hatchery kings mid-May to Jun (peak mid-Jun), silvers late Aug to mid-Sep. Snagging is legal in Resurrection Bay salt water. Special terminal-area bag limits apply, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lowell Point (Seward shore)
- Seward
- ~2h05
- Aug-Sep
A short drive south of town puts you on rocky Resurrection Bay shoreline for silvers, pinks, and rockfish.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Rockfish
- Dolly Varden
Access: Beaches and the breakwater wall along Lowell Point Road, 3 mi south of Seward. Small parking areas, tide dependent.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Resurrection Bay: Silvers and pinks move to the head of the bay Aug to Sep, sea-run Dollies around the Tonsina Creek mouth in May and late summer. Rockfish along the rocky shore. Fish the incoming to high tide. ADF&G current rules ↗
Anchor Point beach
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- May-Sep
Hook a Cook Inlet king or a surf halibut standing on the beach, at the westernmost point you can drive to.
- Chinook (king)
- Halibut
- Dolly Varden
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
Access: Anchor Point beach access road to the tractor-launch beach at the Anchor River mouth. Long-rod surfcasting.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Lower Cook Inlet: Early-run kings in the shallow nearshore late May to Jun (when open, seasons are heavily regulated), surf halibut in summer. Also a tractor-launch beach. Strongly tide dependent, big Cook Inlet tides. ADF&G current rules ↗
Whiskey Gulch beach (Anchor Point)
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- May-Sep
A classic Cook Inlet surf-halibut beach where anglers cast bait from the gravel and some launch skiffs on the tide.
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
Access: Steep beach access road to dispersed camping and a skiff-launch beach, vault toilets, between Anchor Point and Happy Valley.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Bait
👥 Crowds
low
Lower Cook Inlet: A noted early-season surf-halibut beach, plus early kings in the shallow nearshore (when open). Heavy tide dependence. Coordinate is approximate, the gulch is a dispersed beach camp off the Sterling Highway. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deep Creek beach (Ninilchik)
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- May-Sep
The Deep Creek beach lets shore anglers surf-cast for halibut and intercept salmon off the creek mouth.
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Pink (humpy)
- Coho (silver)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Deep Creek State Recreation Area beach at the creek mouth, Mile 137 Sterling Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Lower Cook Inlet: Better known for its tractor-launched halibut boats, the gravel is also surf-castable. Kings in the nearshore late May to Jun (when open), pinks and silvers off the creek mouth late summer. Big-tide dependent. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ninilchik beach (river mouth)
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
A mellow lower-Inlet option for surf halibut and for salmon staging before they run the Ninilchik River.
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Beach access at Ninilchik village and the state rec area at the river mouth.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
low
Lower Cook Inlet: Coho and pink staging off the river mouth late Jul to early Sep, kings in the nearshore in June (when open), surf halibut. Tide dependent. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- King salmon (mid-May through June) and coho salmon (July through mid-August).
Anglers can fish for stocked king and coho salmon that return to the NDFL (aka The Fishing Hole) on the Homer Spit.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
Access: Drive down the Homer Spit.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Green Island
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- coho salmon august, pink salmon spawn in mid July
Green Island is in Prince William Sound. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
- Halibut
- Rockfish
Access: It is accessible via float plane (40 minutes from Cordova, 60 minutes from Seward) or boat (75 miles from Cordova, 70 miles from Whittier, 100 miles from Seward). Boaters should use caution and watch for uncharted rocks in this area.
More details
China Poot
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- Sockeye salmon begin showing up in late June and the run lasts through early to mid-August.
Anglers can sport fish for sockeye salmon in the salt water at the mouth of China Poot Creek. Most choose to snag sockeye there. The fresh waters of China Poot Creek are open to personal use dipnetting from July 1 to August 7.
- Sockeye
Access: A boat is required to access China Poot. Most leave from the Homer Harbor. Most boats can only access China Poot lagoon on 14+ high tides. It’s extremely shallow and is best to follow a boat that knows the channel if you’ve never boated through before. Please be aware of outgoing tides and the common westerly day breeze at the mouth of China Poot Bay. Waves can build extremely quickly and have been fatal for small boats.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Goose Bay
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- saltwater fish species; shrimping
Goose Bay is located on the east side of Culross Passage within the Nellie Juan. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
Access: Goose Bay is approximately 25 miles southeast of Whittier in Prince William Sound. From Whittier Harbor, head east out of Passage Canal and across Port Wells. Head south into Culross Passage. Goose Bay is at the head of a narrow passage on the east side of Culross Passage directly across from Long Bay.
More details
Main Bay
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- sockeye salmon early June - mid July
Located in western PWS, this has one of the larger congregations of sockeye salmon in PWS making it a popular place to snag sockeye salmon. There is a hatchery at the head of the bay and anglers typically snag fish from their boat, in the area open to snagging.
- Sockeye
Access: Closest access is by departing Whittier via boat. Located just 2-3 hours away.
More details
Whiskey Gulch
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- King salmon (May through early August), coho salmon (July through August), sockeye salmon (June through July), pink salmon (July through August), and halibut (spring through fall).
Anglers can fish from shore or beach launch small boats here. King, coho, pink, and sockeye salmon, and halibut are the most common fish here. Please check regulations before fishing for king salmon here as these nearshore waters are often restricted to protect returning Cook Inlet king salmon.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Halibut
Access: Whiskey Gulch Access Road is open seasonally. Use caution as the grade is extremely steep.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Port Chalmers
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- chum and pink salmon; salt water species
Port Chalmers is located on Montague Island which lies in the Gulf of Alaska, at the entrance to Prince William Sound. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Halibut
- Rockfish
Access: Access float plane (40 minutes from Cordova, 60 minutes from Seward) or boat (65 miles from Cordova, 70 miles from Whittier, 100 miles from Seward).
More details
Pigot Bay
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- pink salmon late July and early august; chinok salmon June and July; coho salmon August - September
Pigot Bay is located in Prince William Sound. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Halibut
- Rockfish
Access: Access by a float plane is a 40 minute trip from Anchorage or a 60 minute trip from Cordova. By boat, it is a 18 mile float from Whittier.
More details
Log Jam Bay
- Seward
- ~2h05
- cutthroat and dollly varden; small runs of pink, coho , and sockeye salmon
Log Jam Bay is located Montague Island is in the Gulf of Alaska at the entrance to Prince William Sound. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Wheeled planes land on the outside beach strip at low tide. Access float plane (40 minutes from Cordova, 60 minutes from Seward) or boat (65 miles from Cordova, 70 miles from Whittier, 100 miles from Seward).
More details
Tutka Bay Lagoon
- Seldovia
- Full day, 4h23
- Sockeye salmon (mid-June through July) and pink salmon (late-June through August)
Anglers can fish for sockeye or pink salmon. Most choose to snag at this location.
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
Access: Tutka Bay Lagoon is accessed by boat, mostly from the Homer harbor. Access into the lagoon is only on high tides.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
West Cook Inlet Razor Clams
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- April through September (open year round, but mostly inaccessible during winter months)
Anglers can dig for razor clams on the West side of Cook Inlet, primarily at Polly Creek or Crescent River Bar. The east side of Cook Inlet (from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit) is currently closed to digging for razor clams.
Access: Charter operators take clammers across to dig from the Deep Creek and Anchor Point tractor launches. Private boats can go from there, the Homer Harbor, or City of Kenai dock, but be sure your boat is sea worthy for crossing Cook Inlet. Planes also from the Kenai Peninsula over and land on the beaches to access the razor clam digging.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
San Juan
- Seward
- ~2h05
- coho salmon, pink salmon and Dolly Varden mid July through mid August
San Juan is located 90 miles southwest of Cordova on the southwest end of Montague Island. USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Dolly Varden
Access: Access by wheel plane at low tide only (60 minutes from Cordova, 40 minutes from Seward). Access float plane (40 minutes from Cordova, 60 minutes from Seward) or boat (65 miles from Cordova, 70 miles from Whittier, 100 miles from Seward).
More details
Lower Cook Inlet Tanner Crab
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- October thru Februaury
Kachemak Bay Tanner crab - Fishery occurs October through February. Requires a crabbing permit. Crabs are harvested in pot or ring nets set in 350-600’ of water primarily west of the Homer Spit.
Access: Most launch boats out of the Homer Harbor or Seldovia Harbor.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Paulson Bay
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- chum and pink salmon late July through August
Paulson Bay is located on the west side of Cochrane Bay in Prince William Sound.USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
Access: To access the cabin by float plane: it is 40 minutes from Anchorage and 60 minutes from Cordova. By boat, the trip is 18 miles from Whittier.
More details
Jack Bay
- Sheep Mountain
- ~2h13
- pink salmon, coho salmon both in the bay and nearby outside; July and August
USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
Access: Access to the site is by float plane or boat only. The flight is typically 15 minutes from Valdez or a 30 minutes from Cordova. To travel by boat is 20 miles from Valdez and 70 miles from Cordova.
More details
Valdez
- Sheep Mountain
- ~2h13
- coho salmon mid july through late August, sockeye salmon throughout the summer, pink salmon mid June through late July, Dolly Varden year round
Valdez is located near the head of deep fjord in Prince William Sound. Please see sports fish regulations for information about the Valdez terminal harvest area.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
- Halibut
- Lingcod
- Rockfish
Access: Valdez is accessible via plane (35-45 minute flight from Anchorage), Alaska Marine Highway system, boat, or by driving the Richardson highway.
More details
Shelter Bay
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- coho salmon August and September, pink and chum salmon and Dolly Varden July and August
USFS cabin available for rent by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
- Dolly Varden
Access: Shelter Bay is located on Hinchinbrook Island. Access is by floatplane at high tide (20 minutes from Cordova) or wheeled plane at low tide (landing strip located 350 yards north of the cabin). Access by boat is 50 miles from Cordova. Boaters should inquire about local conditions before entering the bay.
More details
Nothing here matches the filters. Clear one to widen.
⚓ Boat launches & harbors98
Kenai River, Cooper Landing (upper) ⚓
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jun-Oct
Turquoise upper river. Trophy rainbows and Dolly Varden on the drift, sockeye when they stack up.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: State Parks day-use parking plus a boat-launch fee (about $15, verify) · Summer, daylight use. · Alaska State Parks (Kenai River SMA)
Access: Drift-boat float from Sportsmans Landing to Jims Landing, or bank access along the Sterling Highway pullouts.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Fly, Spin
Gear
Unbaited single-hook artificial only above Skilak. Catch-and-release rainbow rules apply in stretches.
👥 Crowds
med
Upper Kenai River: Upper river opens in June after the spring trout closure. Guides run most drift trips. Verify open dates and gear rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kenai River, Bings Landing (middle) ⚓
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jul-Sep
Sterling-side bank fishery on the middle river. Sockeye highway with a boat launch and campground on site.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: Boat launch about $5; campground and day-use separate (verify) · Open when ice free; campground in summer. · Alaska State Parks (Bings Landing SRS)
Access: Bings Landing State Recreation Site: boat launch, bank trail, and campground off the Sterling Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
Section-specific single-hook rules. Check the middle-river regulations before fishing.
👥 Crowds
high
Middle Kenai River: Bank and drift fishery. Limits set in-season by emergency order. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kenai Lake (Cooper Landing) ⚓
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jun-Sep
Deep turquoise lake at the head of the Kenai. Lake trout and Dolly Varden, best from a boat.
- Lake trout
- Dolly Varden
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: USFS Quartz Creek day-use and launch fee (about $10-18, verify) · Summer. · USFS Chugach National Forest (Quartz Creek Rec Area)
Access: Boat launches at Cooper Landing and Quartz Creek. Bank access is limited by steep shoreline.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig
Gear
No special gear restriction.
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai Lake: Standard lake limits. Verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Little Susitna River (Burma Landing) ⚓
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- Jun-Sep
Clearwater Valley river with a strong silver run and summer kings. Bank fishing or a jet-boat float.
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
- Pink (humpy)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: $7/day parking, $15/night camping (verify) · Summer; strong silver run Aug-Sep. · State (Susitna Flats SGR), concessionaire run
Access: Little Susitna River Public Use Facility at the end of Burma Road, plus the Parks Highway bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
Gear
King and silver openings vary by reach and date. Check the current rules.
👥 Crowds
med
Little Susitna River: One of the Valley road-system standouts for silvers. Verify king dates and limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nancy Lake (Willow) 🐣 ⚓
Nancy Lake (Willow)
🐣 STOCKED- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
Canoe-country lake with stocked rainbows and invasive pike. Paddle-in coves and easy shore spots.
- Rainbow trout
- Northern pike
- Landlocked salmon
⚓ Launch: Alaska State Parks day-use and camping fee (verify) · Summer. · Alaska State Parks (Nancy Lake SRA)
Access: Nancy Lake Parkway boat launch and the canoe-trail system off the Parks Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Troll
Gear
No limit on invasive pike, keep every one you catch. Do not transport live pike.
👥 Crowds
low
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout and landlocked salmon; also holds invasive northern pike.
Nancy Lake State Rec Area: Pike are invasive here, harvest all of them. Stocked trout have standard limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Talkeetna River ⚓
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- Jun-Sep
Big clear river at the three-river confluence. Grayling, rainbows, and salmon on a jet-boat float.
- Arctic grayling
- Rainbow trout
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
⚓ Launch: $25 to launch, $5/day trailer parking · May-Sep boating season. · Community-built, concessionaire run
Access: Public boat launch in Talkeetna at the river confluence. Most fishing is by boat.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Drift boat
Gear
Single-hook artificial on the main stem in places. Guided jet-boat trips are common.
👥 Crowds
low
Talkeetna River: Grayling is largely catch-and-release in the drainage. Verify king and silver limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Montana Creek (Talkeetna) ⚓
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
- Jun-Sep
Classic Parks Highway salmon creek. Kings early, then silvers and pinks with easy bank access.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
⚓ Launch: Campground day-use and launch fee (verify) · Summer. · Montana Creek Campground (DNR-leased) at the Susitna confluence
Access: Montana Creek Campground and the Parks Highway bridge, with bank trails on both banks.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly
Gear
King openings are date-limited. Check current rules by run.
👥 Crowds
med
Montana Creek: Popular roadside creek. King dates are restricted, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Willow Creek ⚓
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
Big Valley salmon creek with a state rec area at the mouth. Kings, silvers, pinks, and chum.
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
⚓ Launch: Alaska State Parks day-use and camping fee (verify) · Summer. · Alaska State Parks (Willow Creek Confluence SRA)
Access: Willow Creek State Recreation Area at the Susitna confluence, plus the Parks Highway bridge.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
Gear
King fishing on set open days. Confirm the schedule and gear rules.
👥 Crowds
high
Willow Creek: One of the Valley heavy hitters. King dates are limited, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Copper River (Chitina dipnet) ⚓
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
Legendary resident dipnet fishery in a roaring glacial canyon. Rich, red Copper River sockeye and kings.
- Sockeye
- Chinook (king)
⚓ Launch: No formal launch fee at the Chitina bridge; a personal-use dipnet permit is required · Copper dipnet opens mid-June, runs summer. · State right-of-way / ADF&G personal-use fishery
Access: Chitina area dipnet sites off the Edgerton Highway. Boat charters run the canyon. Serious hazards, use caution.
More details
🪝 Methods
Dipnet
Gear
Personal-use dipnet only, from the bank or a boat in a dangerous canyon. Residents only.
🧾 Permit
Personal-use dipnet permit (AK residents)
👥 Crowds
med
Chitina personal use: Fast, cold, glacial water with cliff access, people drown here. Openings and limits track the sonar, verify daily. ADF&G current rules ↗
Klutina River (Copper Center) ⚓
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
Glacial Copper tributary loaded with kings and sockeye. Bank combat or a guided boat out of Copper Center.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: Ahtna access permit to park/launch off the road corridor, from about $15/day (verify, access is Ahtna-controlled) · Kings Jul into early Aug, reds Jun-Aug. · State right-of-way at the bridge; surrounding land is Ahtna
Access: Bank and boat access from Copper Center, much of it via lodges and private launches off the Richardson Highway.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Drift boat
Gear
Sport fishery separate from the Chitina dipnet. Check king and sockeye rules by date.
👥 Crowds
med
Klutina River: Big glacial kings. Access is largely through private land and lodges, ask first. Verify limits. ADF&G current rules ↗
Gulkana River (Sourdough) ⚓
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- May-Sep
Clearwater gem off the Richardson Highway. Grayling on top all summer, plus kings and sockeye in the runs.
- Arctic grayling
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: BLM campground and day-use fee (about $12-15, verify) · Summer. · BLM (Sourdough Creek Campground)
Access: Sourdough and Poplar Grove campgrounds on the Richardson Highway, popular put-ins for floats.
More details
🪝 Methods
Fly, Spin, Drift boat
Gear
A Wild and Scenic river. Grayling is often catch-and-release. Check king and sockeye dates.
👥 Crowds
low
Gulkana River: Premier grayling and a float-trip classic. King fishing can close by emergency order, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eklutna Lake (Chugach State Park) ⚓
- Eklutna
- ~30 min
- Jun-Sep
A glacial Chugach lake for Dolly Varden and kokanee, best known for its lakeside bike-and-camp trail.
- Dolly Varden
- Kokanee
⚓ Launch: $5/day parking. Hand/carry launch only, gas motors prohibited (electric and paddle only) · Summer. · Alaska State Parks (Chugach State Park)
Access: Eklutna Lake Road (about 10 paved miles) off the Old Glenn to the Chugach State Park campground and trailhead at the northwest end.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Fly, Bank
👥 Crowds
low
Anchorage Management Area: Wild resident fishery, not stocked. This is the LAKE up Eklutna Lake Road, distinct from the Eklutna Tailrace. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/chugach/eklutnalkcamp.htm ↗Full details
Big Lake (Big Lake) 🐣 ⚓
Big Lake (Big Lake)
🐣 STOCKED- Wasilla
- ~48 min
- Jun-Sep
Mat-Su's busiest recreation lake: invasive pike, stocked trout, and fall silvers on the same water.
- Northern pike
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Arctic char
- Burbot
⚓ Launch: Alaska State Parks daily parking and launch fee (about $10-15, verify) · Summer open water plus winter access. · Alaska State Parks (Big Lake South SRS)
Access: Big Lake North and Big Lake South State Recreation Sites, both with boat launches off Big Lake Road. Heavy summer boat traffic.
More details
🪝 Methods
Spin, Bait, Jig, Troll, Ice, Bank
👥 Crowds
high
🐣 Stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon. Also holds illegally introduced northern pike.
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: No limit on invasive northern pike, keep what you catch. Salmon and trout limits set by season and emergency order. Verify current rules. ADF&G current rules ↗
Homer Harbor boat launch ⚓
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
- May-Sep
Five lanes of the smoothest saltwater launching on the Kenai, at the base of the Homer Spit.
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Lingcod
- Rockfish
⚓ Launch: $25/day or $250/season (Apr-Oct) · Harbor open year round, ice free. Launch fee season Apr-Oct. · City of Homer Port and Harbor
Access: Five-lane ramp at the Homer Small Boat Harbor on the Spit. Staffed booth in business hours, pay kiosk otherwise. Hail the harbor officer on VHF 16.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
very high
Lower Cook Inlet / Kachemak Bay: Federal halibut stamp required for saltwater halibut. Launch fee verified with the City of Homer. Charters run halibut and salmon trips from here across Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seldovia Harbor (boat launch) ⚓ ⛴️
- Seldovia
- May-Sep
No road, no crowds: a fly-in or ferry-in harbor on the far side of Kachemak Bay.
- Halibut
- Coho (silver)
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
⚓ Launch: Verify with the Seldovia harbormaster · Harbor open year round. · City of Seldovia
Access: Small city harbor southwest of the Seldovia airport, a quiet jump-off to the same outer Kachemak Bay grounds Homer boats fish. Ferry or water taxi from Homer, or fly in.
⛴️ Getting there: No road. Bring the boat across Kachemak Bay from Homer or arrive by ferry, the launch is right in the harbor.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
low
Lower Cook Inlet / Kachemak Bay: SELDOVIA HAS NO ROAD ACCESS. Reach it by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry (M/V Tustumena), a water taxi from Homer, or small plane. You cannot trailer a boat here. Federal halibut stamp required. Launch/moorage fee not confirmed, verify with the harbormaster. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seward Harbor boat launch ⚓
- Seward
- ~2h05
- May-Sep
The launch pad for Resurrection Bay silvers and a straight shot to Gulf halibut and lingcod.
- Coho (silver)
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
⚓ Launch: Day-launch and parking fees apply, verify current rate with the harbormaster · Harbor open year round, full services in summer. · City of Seward Harbor
Access: Northeast launch ramp at the Seward Small Boat Harbor, three boarding floats. Launch lines get long on summer weekends and during the silver derby.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait, Mooch
👥 Crowds
very high
Resurrection Bay / North Gulf Coast: Four-lane ramp in the northeast corner of the harbor. Famous August silver run and derby. Lingcod is CLOSED inside Resurrection Bay year round, fish it outside the bay Jul-Dec. Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Whittier Harbor boat launch ⚓
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- May-Sep
Anchorage's nearest saltwater ramp, gated by a one-lane tunnel into Prince William Sound.
- Coho (silver)
- Halibut
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
⚓ Launch: About $20/launch plus about $15/day trailer parking (approximate, verify) · Harbor open year round. Road access via the Anton Anderson tunnel, on a fixed shared schedule. · City of Whittier Harbor
Access: Protected ramp on Passage Canal, the gateway to western Prince William Sound. The tunnel schedule, not the ramp, is the real bottleneck.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
high
Western Prince William Sound: Plan launches around the Anton Anderson tunnel timetable (one lane, shared with the railroad). Launch and parking fees are forum-sourced, verify with the harbor. Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Valdez Harbor boat launch ⚓
- Valdez
- Full day, 5h38
- May-Sep
Ten-dollar launches into the mountain-walled fjords of eastern Prince William Sound.
- Coho (silver)
- Halibut
- Pink (humpy)
- Rockfish
- Lingcod
⚓ Launch: $10/day or $75/year · Harbor open year round. · City of Valdez Harbor (300 N Harbor Dr)
Access: Well-run ramp ringed by mountains, rarely a zoo compared with Whittier or Seward. Long drive in over Thompson Pass.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Eastern Prince William Sound: Cheapest posted launch of the group. Register and pay at the harbormaster office before launching. Strong hatchery pink and silver runs near town (Allison Point). Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deep Creek tractor launch (Ninilchik) ⚓
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- May-Sep
Backed into the Cook Inlet surf by tractor, straight onto the region's most famous halibut grounds.
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
⚓ Launch: About $65 launch and retrieval (concessionaire), plus state park day-use · Summer only, roughly late Apr to Labor Day, tide and surf permitting. · Marine Services LLC / Deep Creek SRA (Alaska State Parks)
Access: Tractor launch at the Deep Creek State Recreation Area beach, Mile 137.3 Sterling Highway just south of Ninilchik. Mornings are busy with halibut boats.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
high
Lower Cook Inlet: Beach tractor launch, not a ramp: boats are backed into the surf on a trailer. Launch depends entirely on tide and surf. Cook Inlet king seasons are heavily regulated, often closed, verify before you target kings. Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Anchor Point tractor launch ⚓
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
- May-Sep
The westernmost road-accessible launch in America, tractor-pushed into the Cook Inlet surf for halibut.
- Halibut
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
⚓ Launch: About $80 per launch, cash or check (approximate, verify) · Summer only, last Saturday in Apr to Labor Day, tide and surf dependent. · Anchor Point Boat Launch LLC / Anchor River SRA
Access: Concessionaire tractor launch at the Anchor River mouth beach, the westernmost point on the North American road system.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
high
Lower Cook Inlet: Surf tractor launch like Deep Creek, no harbor, just the beach. Success hinges on surf and tide and it can shut down on rough days. Price is recent but unconfirmed, verify. Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Ninilchik Harbor (river mouth) ⚓
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
- May-Sep
A shallow river-mouth harbor for small boats, in the shadow of the busier Deep Creek tractor launch.
- Halibut
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
⚓ Launch: Verify locally · Summer use, tide dependent (shallow river-mouth harbor). · Ninilchik / borough
Access: River-mouth harbor at Ninilchik village, used mainly by smaller boats on the tide.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Bait
👥 Crowds
low
Lower Cook Inlet: Small, shallow, tide-gated harbor dredged from the Ninilchik River mouth. Most anglers use the Deep Creek tractor launch a few miles south instead. Federal halibut stamp required. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sportsmans Landing (upper Kenai launch) ⚓
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jun-Sep
The classic upper-Kenai put-in and gateway to the Russian River ferry crossing.
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
⚓ Launch: Parking plus launch about $13; free for Russian River Ferry pass holders (verify) · Summer, staffed pay booth in peak season. · USFS Chugach National Forest (Russian River Ferry entrance)
Access: Gravel and paved ramp with a large lot and pay booth at Mile 55 of the Sterling Highway, same site as the Russian River Ferry.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank, Fly
👥 Crowds
very high
Upper Kenai River: The busiest launch on the upper river; the ferry crowd and drift launches share the lot, so mornings are hectic. Verify current fee. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jims Landing (upper Kenai take-out) ⚓
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
- Jun-Sep
The end-of-float take-out where the upper Kenai bends toward Skilak.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: Day-use fee at the kiosk in peak season (roughly $5-15, verify) · Summer, daylight. · Kenai NWR access (at the refuge boundary)
Access: Gravel ramp and parking off the Skilak Lake Loop Road at Mile 58 of the Sterling Highway. No camping.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Fly, Spin
👥 Crowds
high
Upper Kenai River: Standard take-out about 6 river miles below Sportsmans, at the head of the Kenai Canyon before Skilak. Can jam with trailers midday. ADF&G current rules ↗
Izaak Walton launch (Kenai/Moose confluence) ⚓
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jun-Sep
Launch at the Kenai-Moose junction, a red-salmon magnet in July.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: State Parks boat launch and daily parking fee (about $15, verify) · May-Sep. · Alaska State Parks (Izaak Walton SRS)
Access: Boat launch at the Kenai/Moose confluence off the Sterling Highway, with a 31-site campground.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank, Spin
👥 Crowds
high
Middle Kenai River: Scenic confluence site, moderately busy, a popular red-run bank and boat spot. Launches to the middle Kenai and the Moose River. ADF&G current rules ↗
Swiftwater Park launch (Soldotna) ⚓
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jun-Sep
Soldotna's east-side launch, steps from the town's fishing boardwalks.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: $8 entry per 12 hours (covers Swiftwater/Centennial/Rotary); launch about $9 non-motor, $18 motor (verify) · Summer, gated day-use. · City of Soldotna
Access: Boat launch and wooded campground with river boardwalks in Soldotna.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank, Spin
👥 Crowds
high
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Convenient in-town launch, packed on red-run weekends. King retention is often closed, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Centennial Park launch (Soldotna) ⚓
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jun-Sep
Soldotna's biggest riverfront park, with two ramps onto the lower Kenai.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: $8 entry per 12 hours; boat launch $9 non-motor, $18 motor · Summer, gated. · City of Soldotna
Access: Two boat launches, 85 ft fishing platforms, stairs to the river, and a campground at 349 Centennial Park Road, Soldotna.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank, Spin
👥 Crowds
very high
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Two ramps and over a mile of river frontage, so it absorbs crowds better than most. Heavy guide use. King retention often closed. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eagle Rock boat launch (lower Kenai) ⚓
- Kenai
- ~2h53
- Jun-Sep
The lower-river launch that feeds Kenai's famous July dipnet run.
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: $5/day parking, $25 per boat per launch · Summer; busiest during July dipnet. · City of Kenai
Access: Boat launch with restrooms and water off Eagle Rock Place near the Kenai Spur Highway. No camping.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Dipnet
👥 Crowds
very high
Lower Kenai River: Closest ramp to the dipnet zone after the city docks, so it is mobbed in mid-July. Personal-use dipnet permit required for the mouth fishery (AK residents). ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River SRS drift launch ⚓
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Jun-Sep
The boat launch at Kasilof River State Recreation Site along the Sterling Highway bridge, popular with drift boat fishing guides and sport fishermen.
- Sockeye
- Chinook (king)
- Coho (silver)
- Steelhead
⚓ Launch: State Parks day-use parking and launch fee (about $15, verify) · Summer, daylight. · Alaska State Parks (Kasilof River SRS)
Access: Drift-boat launch at the Kasilof River State Recreation Site, Mile 109 of the Sterling Highway. Day-use sites, ADA toilets and water.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank
👥 Crowds
high
Kasilof River: A drift launch: powerboats are restricted on much of the Kasilof. Steep at low water but functional. Kings are largely hatchery. Verify current fee. ADF&G current rules ↗
Deshka Landing ⚓
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
The gated private launch that opens the entire lower Susitna and Deshka to powerboats.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Northern pike
⚓ Launch: $30/day parking plus launch, automated gate, pay by card on exit · Year-round gate access; peak Jun kings and Jul-Aug silvers/reds. · Deshka Landing Outdoor Association LLC (private non-profit)
Access: About 41 acres with a large ramp, roughly 20-acre parking lot, small store, fuel, and indoor restrooms, on the west bank of the Susitna.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
high
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: The big private hub for lower-Susitna powerboaters, accessing the Deshka, Yentna and Alexander Creek. King retention frequently closed, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Susitna Landing ⚓
- Willow
- ~1h16
- Jun-Sep
The mid-Susitna state launch and campground at the Kashwitna mouth.
- Chinook (king)
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Rainbow trout
- Northern pike
⚓ Launch: Boat launch about $20 per boat; camping $12 dry to $24 electric (verify) · Summer, staffed. · ADF&G owned, concessionaire operated
Access: Boat launch and 69-site campground at the Kashwitna/Susitna confluence off the Parks Highway. Fish-cleaning tables, showers.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Spin, Bait
👥 Crowds
med
Northern Cook Inlet (Mat-Su) Area: A clean state-standard facility, a popular alternative to Deshka for the middle river. King retention frequently closed, verify. ADF&G current rules ↗
Poplar Grove launch (Gulkana River) ⚓
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
- Jun-Sep
A low-key Gulkana access point downstream of Sourdough for float anglers.
- Sockeye
- Arctic grayling
- Chinook (king)
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: BLM day-use, low or free (verify) · Summer. · BLM
Access: Small river-access launch off the Richardson Highway near Mile 137. Minimal facilities.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Fly, Spin
👥 Crowds
low
Upper Copper / Upper Susitna Area: A quieter put-in and take-out on the lower Gulkana, about 13 miles of easy water down from Sourdough. Grayling and red fishing are strong. ADF&G current rules ↗
Upper Skilak Lake boat launch ⚓
- Sterling
- ~2h08
- Jun-Sep
The upper ramp onto wind-prone Skilak Lake and its trophy rainbows.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Lake trout
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: Kenai NWR campground fees about $5-10/night; launch fee-based (verify) · Summer. · USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Access: Boat ramp and 26-site campground off the Skilak Lake Loop Road.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Spin
Gear
Bait and multiple hooks allowed year-round, except within half a mile of the upper Kenai River inlet.
👥 Crowds
med
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Main big-water access to Skilak. The lake's sudden glacial winds make it a serious-boat launch, not for small skiffs. Refuge rules apply. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lower Skilak Lake boat launch ⚓
- Sterling
- ~2h08
- Jun-Sep
The lower Skilak ramp near where the lake spills back into the Kenai.
- Rainbow trout
- Dolly Varden
- Lake trout
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: Kenai NWR first-come camping; launch fee-based (verify) · Summer. · USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Access: Boat launch and 14 wooded waterfront sites off the Skilak Lake Loop Road.
More details
🪝 Methods
Troll, Jig, Spin
👥 Crowds
low
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: Quieter than Upper Skilak, closer to the river outlet. Same big-water wind caution applies. Refuge rules apply. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kenai Mouth & Flats ⚓
- Kenai
- ~2h53
- Jul-Aug
Intertidal gravel and mud beach. Estuary.
- Pink (humpy)
- Sockeye
⚓ Launch: City of Kenai dock: FREE for private use outside the dipnet season, $38.59 launch plus parking 10 to 31 July. Kenai Flats SRS is free day use. · City ramp, Kenai Flats SRS picnic area and restrooms, free walk-on off Bridge Access Road
Access: Surf cast off the beach or work the Flats on a flooding tide. No defined lane here, fish are still milling, so cover water instead of camping a seam.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
👥 Crowds
med
Lower Kenai River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
The Pillars ⚓
- Kenai
- ~2h53
- Jul-Aug
Ramp and gravel bar. Near the upstream edge of tidal influence, which reaches about RM 13 at Honeymoon Cove.
- Sockeye
- Chinook (king)
- Pink (humpy)
⚓ Launch: State Parks. Parking $5/day, launch $25/boat. ANNUAL PASSES NOT ACCEPTED here. Day use only, ADA toilets and water on site. 16 acres, off Silver Salmon Road. · State Parks ramp, restrooms and water, day use fee, no camping
Access: Fish the gravel below the ramp. Sockeye run 6 to 10 feet off the bank. Wade to your knees, no further, and flip a short cast upstream rather than out. Expect boat wake through the drift.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
👥 Crowds
med
Lower Kenai River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Centennial Park ⚓
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jul-Aug
25 stair sets, two 85 ft platforms, 650 ft of elevated boardwalk. Wide and steady.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
⚓ Launch: City of Soldotna 2026: camping $23/night, $29 from 7 to 31 July. Day use $8. Launch $20 motorised, $10 non-motorised. 250+ sites, NO reservations. · City of Soldotna, ramp, campground, fee booth on the way in
Access: Almost a mile of bank below the launch and almost another above it. The DOWNSTREAM mile takes far less pressure than the platforms, so walk. Launch lagoon closed to fishing 1 Jul to 30 Aug.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
👥 Crowds
high
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Swiftwater Park ⚓
- Soldotna
- ~2h38
- Jul-Aug
Campground bank with stairs. Faster than town water, which gives a cleaner swing and a more honest drift.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
⚓ Launch: City of Soldotna, same 2026 card as Centennial: camping $23 ($29 in July), day use $8, launch $20 motorised / $10 non-motorised. 90 campsites, 6 river access stairs, NO reservations. · City of Soldotna, ramp, campground, fee
Access: Let the weight tick and keep the rod low so the leader stays down. The current suits flossing better than the slow in-town stretches.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
👥 Crowds
med
Kenai River (Kenai/Soldotna): Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Bings Landing SRS ⚓
- Sterling
- ~2h18
- Jul-Aug
Boardwalks above the Moose confluence. Immediately above Class II Naptowne Rapids, with exposed boulders and broken water.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Rainbow trout
⚓ Launch: State Parks. Parking $5/day, camping $20/site (36 sites), launch $25. Toilets, water, picnic shelter, trails. The Backline area is closed for 2026; the boat launch is open. · State Parks, the busiest middle river ramp, boardwalks, parking and launch fees
Access: Boardwalk frontage. Busy with drift boats launching, so fish early.
More details
🪝 Methods
Bank, Spin, Fly, Drift boat
Gear
In flowing water, beads fished ahead of flies, lures, or bare hooks must be fixed within 2 inches of the hook, or free sliding on the line or leader.
👥 Crowds
low
Middle Kenai River: Sockeye and coho limits here are set in season by ADF&G emergency order, and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof Special Use Area ⚓
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- late Jun to Aug
Tidal beach at the mouth. Resident dipnet fishery: fill the freezer with sockeye when the tide is right.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
⚓ Launch: DNR Mining, Land and Water, NOT State Parks. No published camping, parking or day-use fee. No toilet services, pack out all trash. 4WD recommended, sand is soft off the driving surface. Camping is time limited. · Personal use dipnet area, parking, permit required. Alaska residents only
Access: This is the dipnet fishery, not a rod fishery. Dipnetting runs 25 Jun to 7 Aug, 24 hours a day, permit required.
More details
🪝 Methods
Dipnet
Gear
Personal-use dipnet only. Vehicles and gear rules apply on the beach.
🧾 Permit
Personal-use dipnet permit (AK residents)
👥 Crowds
high
Cook Inlet personal use: Residents only, permit required. Open dates and limits set by regulation and emergency order. Time it to an incoming tide. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tustumena Lake Road launch (upper Kasilof) ⚓
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
- Jun-Sep
The end-of-road launch on the upper Kasilof, about a mile and a half below the Tustumena Lake outlet. This is where most of the river's drift trips start.
- Sockeye
- Coho (silver)
- Chinook (king)
⚓ Launch: Free. Primitive campground, no reservations, no hookups, pack out trash. · Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) end-of-road launch and free primitive campground. ADF&G lists the site as a public access and viewing location.
Access: Sterling Highway Milepost 110.1, turn east on Johnson Lake Loop Road, then right on Tustumena Lake Road after about half a mile. The road runs 6.5 miles of washboard gravel and ends at the launch. Ten primitive campsites, a hand pump well and pit toilets, no cell service.
More details
🪝 Methods
Drift boat, Bank
👥 Crowds
med
Kasilof River: Kasilof sockeye and coho limits are set in season by ADF&G emergency order and king fishing is often closed. Check the current regulations before you go. Tustumena Lake itself is big, cold and notorious for sudden wind. ADF&G current rules ↗
Minto Village Launch
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
Boat launch into the Tolovana River at Minto Village, one of several ways to reach Minto Flats lakes and the lower Tolovana River.
Access: Minto Road
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chatanika River Boat Launch Elliot Highway Bridge
- Fox
- Full day, 6h51
Access to middle Chatanika River. Whitefish, vaulted latrine
Access: Mile 10 (~18 miles N of Fairbanks).
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Piledriver Slough Canoe Launch
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
This launch is armored with rip rap and primarily a put-in for canoes. You cannot launch a motorized boat from this location.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Manley Hot Springs Landing
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
Concrete ramp variable wqater level in slough at certain times of the year.
Access: Mile 151 Elliot Highway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Manley Boat Launch
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
Manley Hot Springs Landing, about three miles from the village, is an unimproved boat launch on the Tanana River.
Access: End of Elliot Highway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chena Pump Wayside Boat Launch
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
Unimproved gravel ramp, conditions are highly variable based on Tanana River water level. Parking for 30+ truck-trailer combinations. Day use and picnic facilities, vaulted latrines. Camping not allowed.
Access: Access is off of Chena Pump Road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nome Creek Put-in point
- Fox
- Full day, 6h51
Unimproved access to Nome and Beaver Creeks for launching nonmotorized craft
Access: Nome Creek can be accessed via the 7-mile U.S. Creek Road that begins at MP 57.3 of the Steese Highway. Floaters who do 100 miles of Beaver Creek start at the Put-in point located at the end of the Nome Creek Road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area Boat Launch
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
Double concrete ramp to small lake connected to Tanana River. Lots of parking and floating dock.
Access: Access is at the end of Cushman Street past Peger Road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Chena River Canoe access at the Peger Bridge/Pioneer Park
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
Non-motorized boat launch on the Chena River at Pioneer Park, used by canoeists, kayakers and rafters, with parking off Peger Road.
Access: Peger Road Access.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Graehl Park Landing
- Fairbanks
- Full day, 6h34
Very small Borough park with double-wide ramp, extremely limited parking, especially for trucks with trailers. Launch is used extensively by non-motorized users.
Access: Access is at the end of Forty Mile Avenue off of Third Street.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nenana 10th street Boat Launch
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
This is a bank launch into the Nenana River and has a large parking area and vaulted latrine.
Access: Access is from the Parks Highway south of Nenana , turn West onto 10th street. Travel over the rail road tracks and launch site is on the right before crossing the Nenana River bridge.
More details
Birch Lake Boat Launch
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
Birch Lake is a popular stocked lake about 60 road miles south of Fairbanks just off the Richardson Highway.
Access: Access is at mile 303.5 Richardson Highway, boat launch is .3 miles from Highway turn-off.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tanana River Access
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
This launch is a semi-improved ramp and very steep with swift current. The launch can be unuseable at times when the Tanana River is low, in late May and early June and again in September. The ramp is very steep and 4 wheel drive is reccommended.
Access: Travel the Alaska Highway to Mile 1385, large double ended pullout on the east side of the highway. Oneway road down the hill ends at the launch site. There is a tight turnaround and for launching and parking is limited.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Big Delta Boat Launch
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
This improved boat launch provides access to the Goodpaster River, Delta Clearwater River, and Richardson Clearwater Rivers. Many recreational Goodpaster River cabin owners and Whitestone Communtoy mambers utilze this launch site in the summer and fall months. The limited parking area adjacent to the Alyeska Pipeline can become crowded during holiday weekends.
Access: Access is at mile 275.4 Richardson Highway, boat launch is on the north side of the highway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Upper Birch Creek Wayside
- Chena Hot Springs
- Full day, 7h56
Unimproved access to Birch Creek for launching nonmotorized craft
Access: The Upper Birch Creek Wayside is located at MP 94.1 of the Steese Highway
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Harding Lake State Recreation Area Launch
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
Harding Lake is a popular stocked lake about 45 miles south of Fairbanks just off the Richardson Highway.
Access: Access is at mile 303.5 Richardson Highway, boat launch is .3 miles from Highway turn-off.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
28 Mile River Access
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
The Chena River is accessed from a 0.5 mile gravel road at mile 28 of Chena Hot Springs Road. The launch site is unimproved, and normally requires four-wheel drive vehicles. Parking is limited to a few sites on the gravel bar.
Access: Access is off Chena Hot Springs road at mile 28.
More details
Flat Creek Slough Boat Launch
- North Pole
- Full day, 6h53
State Parks Chena River Recreation Area improved boat launch. Access to the upper Chena River. Motorized boating requires a shallow-draft jet drive.
Access: Access is off Chena Hot Springs road at mile 26.7
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Jakalof Bay Dock and Skiff Launch
- Seldovia
- Full day, 4h23
Located in Jakolof Bay. The dock is protected from the open ocean. Jakolof Bay Road connects the dock to the city of Seldovia.
Access: It can be accessed by road from Seldovia or by boat from the Homer Harbor.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Homer Spit Community Boat Launch
- Homer
- Full day, 4h35
Boat launch operated by the City of Homer. Anglers can have their boat launched here for a fee.
Access: Located on the Homer Spit in the Homer Harbor.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Whiskey Gulch Beach Launch
- Anchor Point
- Full day, 4h03
Anglers can beach launch small boats here. The beach is gravelly and it’s easy to get a vehicle stuck here. Do not attempt to launch if the surf is large. Have a plan to get your vehicle unstuck.
Access: Whiskey Gulch Access Road is open seasonally. Use caution as the grade is extremely steep.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Finger Lake Boat Launch
- Palmer
- ~50 min
A boat launch and lake access at Finger Lake State Recreation Site near Palmer and Wasilla, with fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char and grayling, plus winter ice fishing.
Access: 0.7 miles west of the Trunk Road/Bogard intersection.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Big Lake North Boat Launch
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
Alaska State Parks recreation site on Big Lake with 60 campsites, picnic shelters, toilets and a boat launch, 13 miles west of Wasilla.
Access: From mile 52.3 Parks Highway, Take Big Lake Road 3.6 miles ot the roundabout, take North Shore Drive 1.4 miles to end of road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Little Susitna Public Use Facility
- Anchorage
- in town
A boating access site on the Little Susitna River with king, silver, chum, red and pink salmon plus Dolly Varden and rainbow trout, alongside camping and wildlife viewing.
Access: From Wasilla, turn left at Main Streeet, to Knik Goose Bay road. Drive 17.2 miles south then trun right onto Pt. MacKenzie Road, go to the dead end and turn right onto Ayrshire Road, go left through the 90 degree corner for 3 miles, immediate right hand turn onto Little Su Access Road 3.5 miles to the facility.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Nancy Lake Boat Launch
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
Nancy Lake boat launch and campground, at the State Recreation Site, are managed and maintained by State Parks.
Access: MP 66.5 Parks Highway
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Talkeetna River Boat Launch
- Talkeetna
- ~2h11
ADFG owned boat launch on the Talkeetna River near its confluence with the Susitna, with a concrete ramp, parking, vault toilet and salmon and trout fishing nearby.
Access: Mile XX Parks Hwy. East on S. Talkeetna Spur 14 miles. Travel east on 2nd Street, then go 100 ft to "F" Avenue where you turn west for 1/4 mile to the campground.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Northeast Harbor Ramp
- Seward
- ~2h05
Improved paved boat launch, 3 lanes, for motorized and non motorized water craft, fish cleaning station available and fuel dock directly next to launch.
Access: Left on Port Ave. off of Seward Highway, continue to a left on X Float Road.
More details
Deep Creek Tractor Launch
- Ninilchik
- ~3h33
A privately operated tractor boat launch. Anglers can have their boat launched on the beach here for a fee.
Access: Located near Ninilchik at Deep Creek beach. Turn right onto Deep Creek Beach Access Road when traveling on the Sterling Highway from the north. The tractor launch is at the bottom of the road at the beach.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Kasilof River State Recreation Site Boat Launch
- Kasilof
- ~2h58
Popular launch for Kasilof River sport fishing & guide access.
Access: Parking lot with fee.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seldovia Boat Ramp
- Seldovia
- Full day, 4h23
Boat launch operated by the City of Seldovia. Anglers can have their boat launched here for a fee.
Access: It can be accessed by ferry or boat from Homer, or by road from Jakalof Bay.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Southwest Harbor Ramp
- Seward
- ~2h05
Improved paved boat launch, 3 lanes, for motorized and non motorized water craft.
Access: Located off Fourth Ave. 2 miles before downtown seward.
More details
Big Lake South Boat Launch
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
Alaska State Parks site on Big Lake's south shore with 20 campsites, toilets, picnic sites and a boat launch.
Access: From Mile 52.3 Parks HWY take S. Big lake Road from the Parks HWY 7 miles the park is on the right.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Big Lake Boat Launch
- Wasilla
- ~48 min
Mat-Su Borough boat launch and parking area on Big Lake near Wasilla, overseen by the borough's engineering division.
Access: From Mile 52.3 Parks HWY take S. Big lake Road from the Parks HWY. Continue on S. Big Lake Road past MP 8. Launch will be on the right.
More details
Kenai City Dock Boat Launch
- Kenai
- ~2h53
Primary ramp for launching in the personal use fishery.
Access: 1591 Boat Launch Road off of Bridge Access Rd.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Delong Lake Launch
- Anchorage
- in town
Launch canoes and inflatables from the handicap accessible dock. Great shoreline access for fly fishing too.
Access: From MP 122.2 on the New Seward Highway to Drive west on Dimond Boulevard roughly 1.2 miles and turn right onto C Street. Head north on C Street roughly 1 mile and turn left onto Raspberry Road. Drive west on Raspberry Road roughly 1.3 miles and turn right on Jewel Lake Road. Drive north on Jewel Lake road roughly 0.3 mile and turn left into DeLong Lake parking area.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Stormy Lake
- Nikiski
- ~3h13
Anglers may enjoy fishing for rainbow trout and silver salmon in Swanson River as well as rainbows and arctic char in Stormy Lake.
Access: Take the Seward Hwy South, at the Seward Cut-off, bear to the right and take the Sterling Hwy. In Soldotna, bear to the right onto the Kenai Spur Hwy. Located at milepost 36.9 of the Kenai Spur Hwy.
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Paxson Lake BLM Campground Developed Ramp
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a concrete ramp in relatively shallow water. During low water, deeper draft boats with props may have trouble launching here.
Access: BLM Paxson Lake campground is located at mile 175 of the Richardson Highway.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Gulkana River at Richardson Highway Bridge
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This site was newly constructed in 2021 and has yet to be used in it's new configuration.
Access: Approximately 125.9 mile of the Richarson Highway and 0.1 miles south of the Bridge crossing the Gulkana River there is a side road to the west that allows access to this launch site.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Louise developed concrete boat ramp
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
A double wide well placed concrete boat launch that can accommodate both prop and jet boats up to 24 ft length.
Access: The launch is located at the end of the Lake Louise Road near Dinty Lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Lake Louise state park developed shallow boat ramp
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a shallow gravel beach launch that can accommodate small boats with shallow trailers.
Access: Launch is located within State DEC campground along Lake Louise Road.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Fielding Lake Boat Launch
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
Fielding Lake is a scenic lake nestled among the tundra hills of the Alaska Range and well known for its Lake trout fishing. Fielding Lake has a State recreation site with a boat launch and public use cabin.
Access: Fielding Lake can be accessed from the Richardson Highway at mile 200.5. Travel 1.5 miles to the lake and state recreation site.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Gulkana River Sourdough Boat Launch
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a double wide concrete boat launch. The launch can be shallow at times, but boats can usually be launched and retrieved without undue difficulty.
Access: The BLM Sourdough campground is located at mile 148 of the Richardson Highway.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tazlina River Launch
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is an undeveloped gravel ramp within the Highway right of way.
Access: Take the first left turn as you drive south on the Richardson Highway past the Tazlina River Bridge
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tolsona Lake launch
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a gravel and concrete ramp.
Access: Turn down the Tolsona Lake Road at Mile 170 of the Glenn Highway and follow it to the lake.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Tangle Lakes Campground Launch
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
BLM campground on the Denali Highway with a boat launch into the Tangle Lakes, the put in for the 30 mile Delta Wild and Scenic River float.
Access: Mile 21 of the Denali Highway from the Richardson Highway
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Klutina Lake Road 'Boys Camp' Milepost 21
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The launch is unimproved and is generally usable at for rafts and power boats at most river levels. Trailering a power boat, especially anything over 18ft would be a challenge along the Klutina Lake Road to this point, but is doable . Expect to take several hours to reach this site with a trailered boat. This launch is the best one for accessing Klutina Lake.
Access: The unimproved Klutina Lake Road also known as the Brenwick-Craig Road leads from the Richardson Highway just north of the Klutina River Bridge and extends to a point about 0.5 miles east of Klutina Lake. The road is passable by most 4-wheel drive highway vehicles. The road is rough, muddy, and rutted and upper sections have deep holes that can be driven through and large cobble/rock substrate.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Klutina Lake Road Airstrip Milepost 20
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The launch is unimproved and is generally usable at for rafts and power boats at most river levels. Trailering a power boat, especially anything over 18ft would be a challenge along the Klutina Lake Road to this point, but is doable . Expect to take several hours to reach this site with a trailered boat.
Access: The unimproved Klutina Lake Road also known as the Brenwick-Craig Road leads from the Richardson Highway just north of the Klutina River Bridge and extends to a point about 0.5 miles east of Klutina Lake. The road is passable by most 4-wheel drive highway vehicles. The road is rough, muddy, and rutted and upper sections have deep holes that can be driven through and large cobble/rock substrate.
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Klutina Lake Road Milepost 14
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The launch is unimproved and varies in easy of use with river level. It is suitable for launching rafts at nearly all river levels but would be challenging for launching power boats. This site is a common starting point for guided raft trips so it is used extensively through out the year.
Access: The unimproved Klutina Lake Road also known as the Brenwick-Craig Road leads from the Richardson Highway just north of the Klutina River Bridge and extends to a point about 0.5 miles east of Klutina Lake. The road is passable by most 4-wheel drive highway vehicles. The road is rough, muddy, and rutted and upper sections have deep holes that can be driven through and large cobble/rock substrate.
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Klutina River Launch, New Richardson Highway ROW
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
Unimproved launch into swift water with no tie-offs. Launch is plenty deep to accommodate small and large jetboats.
Access: Launch is located within the New Richardson Highway ROW on the Southeast bank below the bridge.
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Klutina River Launch, Old Richardson Highway ROW
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is an undeveloped gravel ramp within the Highway right-of-way.
Access: On the right side of the road as you pass south on the Richardson Highway and cross the Klutina River at mile 100.
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Paxson Lake BLM undeveloped ramp
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The road leads to a small gravel penisula that provides launching boat to north or south.
Access: Turn left at mile 179.4 of the Richardson Highway. The road is very steep and unmaintained. $-wheel drive truck with good clearance and tires needed to access.
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Paxson Lake northern undeveloped ramp
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a relatively shallow launch site with a softer bottom suitable for small motor boats.
Access: This launch is at the south end of a roadside pullout at mile 180.1 of the Richardson Highway.
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Klutina Lake Road Milepost 4
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The launch is unimproved and varies in easy of use with river level. It is suitable for launching rafts, but would be a challenging site to launch a power boat.
Access: The unimproved Klutina Lake Road also known as the Brenwick-Craig Road leads from the Richardson Highway just north of the Klutina River Bridge and extends to a point about 0.5 miles east of Klutina Lake. The road is passable by most 4-wheel drive highway vehicles. The road is muddy and rutted through mile point 4.0. At approximately milepoint 4.0 there is a side raod on the left that leads to the Klutina River. All lands along this side road are within Ahtna Corporation ownership and an access fee is required.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seldovia Boat Harbor
- Seldovia
- Full day, 4h23
A small boat harbor primarily used by small commercial and recreational fishing boats, with transient mooring available.
Access: By private boat, water taxi, or ferry from the Homer Harbor.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
City of Homer Port & Harbor
- Homer
- Full day, 4h23
A small boat harbor primarily used by small commercial and recreational fishing boats, with transient mooring and fuel docks services available.
Access: Drive to it on the Homer Spit.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Seward Small Boat Harbor
- Seward
- ~2h05
Small boat harbor hosts a variety of vessels including the local fishing fleet, charting fishing boats, tour boats, the US Coast Guard Cutter Mustang, and more. A certified Alaska Clean Harbor.
Access: Traveling south on Seward Highway 9, take any left starting at Port Ave. until V. Buren st.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Whittier Harbor
- Whittier
- ~1h17
Full service, ice free port, open year round
Access: Travel via Whittier Tunnel (fee required) with time restrictions. The tunnel is not open 24 hours.
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Valdez Harbor
- Sheep Mountain
- ~2h13
City of Valdez harbor with a North Basin of 489 slips and a South Basin of 127 slips, open year round with restrooms and showers.
Access: 300 N. Harbor Dr., Valdez, AK 99686
More details
Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
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Trails to fishing spots20
Lisa Lake Trail
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
The Lisa Lake trail runs just over a mile between the Alaska Highway and Lisa Lake. The trail is armored to the lake. At the lake there is an ATV trail skirting the southern shoreline, that can be challenging in wet conditions. Lisa Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and coho salmon, and has an ADFG public use cabin on the northeast shore.
Access: Take the Alaska Highway southeast of Delta Junction towards Tok, there is a large paved pull-out on the south side of the highway at mile 1381.
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Donna Lakes Trail
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
The Donna Lakes trail is 3.5 miles long between the Alaska Highway and Donna Lake. The trail has a couple sections armored but for most of the trail expect muddy sections and washed out portions of the trail. The trail can be impassable by snowmachine or ATV in late Spring.
Access: Take the Alaska Highway southeast of Delta Junction towards Tok, there is a large paved pull-out on the south side of the highway at mile 1391.8 with an ATV/Snowmachine loading ramp. Take the trail 3.5 miles to Donna Lake. Continue on 1 mile past Donna lake to Little Donna lake. The trail can be very muddy during wet conditions. some sections have eroded away and multiple side trails have been created to traverse the wached out and muddy sections.
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Coal Mine Road
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
Old mining road passable by 4 wheel drive vehicles, ATVs, and snowmachines. The first mile has been armoured and the remaining miles of trail can be muddy during wet times of the years. To access Coal Mine #5 and Backdown Lakes, turn east on an ATV trail 1.6 miles from the start of Coal Mine Road. The remaining lakes along the road marked with Lake signs. Last Lake is at mile 1.9, Brodie Lake mile 2.1, Paul's Pond mile 2.7 on the north side, Rangeview at mile 2.7 on the south side, Dick's Pond at mile 4.1 and Ken's Pond at mile 4.7.
Access: Take the Richardson Highway south of Delta Junction towards Glennallen, at mile 242.1 turn east.
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Craig Lake Trail
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
Craig Lake is a stocked lake off the old original Alaska Highway. The lake is located 0.4 miles down the trail through a beautiful birch tree forest. Private property is adaject to both sides of the trail for 0.1 miles.
Access: Take the Alaska Highway to Mile 1387.7 and turn southwest at the stop sign post. Travel 1 mile on the dirt road to the trailhead sign on the west side of the road.
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South Fork Valley Trail
- Eagle River
- ~18 min
Access to Synphony Lake, parking lot and roadside parking
Access: Gravel parking area located at the trailhead.
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Rabbit Lake Trail
- Hope
- ~1h18
Relatively flat 8 .7 mile out and back hike to rainbow trout fishing at Rabbit Lake.
Access: Roadside and lot at trailhead. Parking is limited on Lower Canyon Rd. Chugach State Park charges a $5 daily parking fee. You can also purchase an annual parking pass for $60.
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McHugh Creek Trail
- Hope
- ~1h18
Moderate 7.8 mile hike with 2,411 feet of elevation gain to rainbow trout fishing at Rabbit Lake.
Access: Take the Seward Hwy. South to milepost 111, park entrance is on the left.
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Lost Lake Trail (Kenai)
- Seward
- ~2h05
13.8 mile moderate out and back hike to Lost Lake stocked lake trout fishing. Forest service cabin for rent at peak (see Reserve America for more info).
Access: At mile 5 Seward Highway turn west into Lost Lake subdivision. Follow signs to trailhead.
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Iditarod Trail/Troop Lake Trail
- Seward
- ~2h05
Remote walk in lake. Approximately 1.0 miles down trail to new Troop Lake cutoff trail marked with a sign. Trail is approximately 0.5 miles to the lake. Closed to motorized vehicles May 1- November 30. Closed to pack/saddle stock April 1- June 30. Not recommended for bikes or horses.
Access: Mile 12.1 Seward Hwy. Turnout on east side of Seward Hwy. Trail begins on the Iditarod Historical Trail.
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Russian River Anglers Trail
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
Russian River fishing access along trail in either direction.
Access: North end: At Mile 52.6, Sterling Highway,turn into Russian River Campground.
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Russian Lakes Trail Upper and Lower
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
3.4 miles to Lower Russian Lake and 12 miles to Upper Russian Lake, both of which offer trout and Dolly Varden fishing.
Access: North end: At Mile 52.6, Sterling Highway, turn into Russian River Campground. Trailhead parking is 1 mile further, not plowed in winter.
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Grayling Lake Trail
- Seward
- ~2h05
Remote walk in lake. Hike 1.0 mile to “Y” in trail. Take the left fork of the trail approximately 0.47 miles to Grayling Lake. Closed to motorized vehicles year round. Closed to pack/saddle stock April 1- June 30. Not recommended for horses or bicycles.
Access: Mile 13.2 Seward Hwy. Grayling Lake Trailhead is on the west side of the Seward Hwy.
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Rainbow Lake Trail
- Cooper Landing
- ~1h43
Short hike (0.5 miles) to Rainbow Lake rainbow trout fishing. Rainbow Lake Trail is closed to motorized vehicles from May 1- November 30. Rainbow Lake Trail is closed to pack/saddle stock from April 1- June 30.
Access: Mile 47.9 Sterling Hwy. Turn south on Snug Harbor Rd and Drive 10 miles
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Carter Lake Trail
- Moose Pass
- ~1h40
Remote walk in lake. 3.4 mile hiking trail to Carter and Crescent Lakes. It is a short but steep climb (first 1.5 miles, 986 ft) through spruce/hemlock forest to a wide subalpine valley of meadows surrounded by mountains. Snow can remain in this area until early June. This trail is well maintained, but is muddy during spring snowmelt and after heavy rain. Summer acces is difficult from this trail to the west end Crescent Lake on the primitive trail.
Access: Mile 33 Seward Hwy. South side of highway Chugach National Forest trailhead with parking and toilets. Closed to motorized vehicles May 1- November 30. Closed to pack/saddle stock April 1- June 30. Not recommended for bikes or horses.
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Klutina Lake Road
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a single lane mostly unmaintained gravel road extending from the Richardson Highway around mile 100 to the outlet of Klutina Lake.
Access: Mile 100 of the Richardson Highway. The road is officially known as the Brenwick Craig Road
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Tolsona Mountain Lake Trail
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The trail is primarily a winter trail but can be run by ATV in drier years.
Access: The trail is accessed by a 2 mile road at Mile 168 on the Glenn Highway. Follow trail 4.4 miles to lake.
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Gergie Lake Trail
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The trail is primarily a winter trail but can be run by ATV in drier years.
Access: From the 155 mile pull out on the Richardson Highway run west on the powerline right of way about 0.5 miles to the signed trail head.
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Crosswind Lake Trail
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
The trail is primarily a winter trail. Argos are needed to traverse this trail in summer
Access: Turn down the Tolsona Lake Road at mile 170 on the Glenn Highway and the parking area is on the right. The trail runs back toward the road from here.
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Swede Lake Trail
- Glennallen
- ~3h33
This is a year-round gravel trail traversable by most ATV's and even 4-wheel drive trucks with good clearance
Access: The trail head is at mile 16.8 of the Denali Highway
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Rapids Lake Trail
- Delta Junction
- Full day, 6h18
Rapids Lake trail starts across the Richardson Highway from a double ended turnout at the Black Rapids Glacier view Point. The trail is a couple hundred feet long and crosses over the Trans Alaska Pipeline and ends at Rapids Lake
Access: Take the Richardson Highway south of Delta Junction towards Glennallen, at mile 225.4 turn into a pull out on the west sidew of the road. Lake is located 100yards east of the highway through the woods.
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Other spots3
Minto Flats
- Nenana
- Full day, 5h50
- June-Oct.: northern pike
Minto Flats is a large wetland complex approximately 35 miles west of Fairbanks, within the Minto Flats State Game Refuge. The area contains a number of large and small lakes which drain into the Tolovana River via Goldstream Creek, numerous sloughs, and the Chatanika River. Minto Flats is known for its large population of northern pike. Summer access is by boat or floatplane only. Both the road down to the Chatanika River and the launch require high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles, and access to the boat launch may require chains during periods of wet weather.
Access: Travel via the Murphy Dome Road Extension (approximately 25 miles west of Fairbanks). You can launch a jet boat into the Chatanika River after traveling 12 miles down an unmaintained, rough, dirt road. After launching your boat, you travel downriver to Goldstream Creek, and up Goldstream Creek. You can also launch a prop or jet boat into the Tolovana River at the Village of Minto (off the Elliott Highway). The Chatanika River enters the Tolovana River about 10 miles upstream of Minto.
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Sixmile Creek/Knik Arm
- Anchorage
- in town
- Red salmon return to the mouth of Sixmile Creek from mid-July through mid-August, with peak fishing occurring around mid- to late July
The area open to sport fishing for salmon is the salt waters that are seaward of a steel cable stretched across the creek mouth.
- Sockeye
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Regulations: Limits are set in season by emergency order, verify before you go. ADF&G current rules ↗
Eshamy Lagoon, creek, and lake
- Whittier
- ~1h17
- sockeye salmon mid July thru August; cutthroat trout, chum, pink, coho salmon
Located in western PWS, popular place to target sockeye salmon. ADFG operates a weir in the creek in some years and daily fish passage counts can be found online.
- Coho (silver)
- Sockeye
- Pink (humpy)
- Chum
Access: Closest access is by departing Whittier via boat. Located just ~3 hours away.
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