STERLING AREA
Section: River Mile 30.5 – 50 (Funny River confluence to Skilak Lake)
General Access: By road and boat. The Sterling Highway provides four direct access points but there are several private campgrounds/lodges and guide services in the Kenai Keys area that offer additional river access and usage for a fee.
Rules & Regulations: Closed to king salmon fishing from August 1 through December 31, silver salmon from December 1 through June 30, and rainbow trout from May 2 through June 10. No bait allowed from January 1 through June 30. Note: Some areas are closed to fishing from the riverbank from July 1 through August 15. Consult ADF&G for details.
Sterling Highway
- Morgan’s Landing State Recreation Site (RM 30)
Access: From Mile 84.9 of Sterling Highway, turn south on Scout Lake Loop Road 1.6 mile to a “T,” right on Lou Morgan Road 2.4 miles, right on access road 1.5 mile to campground. Trails lead from parking and camping areas to and along the river.
Facilities: Parking and camping for all size vehicles, boat launch, and restrooms.
Fishing: This slightly out-of-the-way access point harbors some great fishing. Boaters target the lesser fished stretch of water for king and silver salmon, trout, and char. Anglers hiking in can take advantage of some varying types of water that yield excellent opportunities for red salmon in areas with strong current and silvers and pinks in the slower-moving holes. A few kings possible. Very good for rainbows and Dolly Varden.
2. Izaak Walton Campground (RM 36.5)
Access: From Mile 82.3 of Sterling Highway, next to the Moose River bridge, turn south on paved access road short distance to campground and Moose River. Trails lead 50 yards to confluence area of Moose and Kenai rivers.
Facilities: Parking and camping for all size vehicles, boat launch, and restrooms.
Fishing: The Moose River is one of Kenai’s main tributaries and its mouth serves as a natural resting place for many fish, especially salmon. Although the quiet water of the confluence looks inviting, the reds are difficult to catch here; try the strong current of mainstem Kenai instead. For silvers and pinks, however, anglers find good to excellent fishing. A few kings may be caught as well. Rainbows and Dolly Varden are good. Note: This is a fly-fishing only area from May 15 through August 15. Check the regulations.
3. Bing’s Landing State Recreation Site (RM 39.5)
Access: From Mile 80.2 of Sterling Highway, turn south on Bing’s Landing Road by sign and proceed 0.8 mile to large parking area and river. Trail leads downstream along river.
Facilities: Parking and camping for all size vehicles, boat launch, and restrooms.
Fishing: A very attractive location for both shore and boat anglers. Most fishing off the bank takes place downstream of the boat launch where excellent red, silver, and pink salmon action can be found along with a few late-run kings. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing is good to excellent all season long. Boaters use this landing to access prime king, silver, rainbow, and char holes farther up the river.
4. Lower Skilak Lake Campground
Access: From Mile 75.2 of Sterling Highway, turn southeast on Skilak Lake Road and proceed to Mile 13.8, right on access road 0.9 mile to campground and lake.
Facilities: Parking and camping for all size vehicles, boat launch, and restrooms.
Fishing: While fishing off the shore of the lake may produce a few trout or char and the occasional salmon, the vast majority of anglers use this place to launch boats in order to reach the outlet and Kenai River. It has been long known that perhaps the best fishing in the entire drainage may be found in the first several miles of river downstream of the lake. Anglers report superb action for silvers, pinks, late-run reds, rainbows, and Dolly Varden along with good opportunities for late-run kings.