Kenai River, Bings Landing (middle)

The feel

Bings Landing State Recreation Site is a Sterling-side bank fishery on the middle Kenai River, off the Sterling Highway. A boat launch, a bank trail and a campground sit on the same site. It is both a bank and a drift fishery, and crowds run high.

Sockeye run 4-7 lb in July and August, and coho 6-10 lb in August and September. Rainbow trout are also in the river. Anglers fish from the bank with spin or fly gear.

What to expect

Water and access

Boat launch, bank trail and campground off the Sterling Highway.

Species and timing

Sockeye in July and August, coho in August and September, plus rainbow trout. The fishing window runs July to September.

Methods and gear

Bank, spin and fly.

License and rules

Section-specific single-hook rules apply. Check the middle-river regulations before fishing. Limits are set in-season by emergency order.

Crowds and best time

High crowds.

Season and access

Open when ice free, with the campground open in summer. Alaska State Parks manages the site.

Mingo says

Plan around July and August for sockeye, then August and September for coho. Check the emergency orders first, since they set the limits.

Before you go

• Budget about $5 for the boat launch; campground and day-use fees are separate, so verify them.
• Read the middle-river regulations for the single-hook rule.
• Plan a campground stay for summer, when the campground is open.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.