Over the years millions of salmon fry have been released into Tustumena Lake. In addition to salmon, the lake also has healthy populations of rainbow trout, lake trout and Dolly Varden, a type of char. Tustumena Lake forms the headwaters of the Kasilof River, the second most productive fishery in the Kenai Peninsula.
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Can I drive to Tustumena Lake?
Tustumena Lake (Dena’ina: Dusdu Bena) is a lake on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, within Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and near the town of Kasilof. Access is only via the Kasilof River, there are no roads that lead directly to the lake.
How do you fish a Kasilof?
Like the Kenai, the Kasilof is glacially fed with more turbidity. Fishing here can be successful with flies, but for Kings, most anglers use bait. Fishing here is nearly 100% by drift boat even though there are some walk and wade areas. Drifting gives you better access to the fish.
Where can I fish Kasilof?
Most fishing on the Kasilof is done with the aid of a drift boat from one of only a few boat launches like the Kasilof River State Recreation Site. Where to fish on the Kaislof River: Bank angling for salmon is common, especially near the confluence with Crooked Creek state recreation site.
Can you hunt in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge?
We prohibit hunting and trapping within sections 5, 6, 7, and 8, T. 4 N., R. 10 W., Seward Meridian, encompassing the Kenai Refuge Headquarters, Environmental Education Center, Visitor Center Complex, and associated public use trails. A map of closure areas is available at Refuge Headquarters.
How long is skilak Lake Rd?
Skilak Lake Road runs for 19 miles, with entrances at Sterling Highway mileposts 58 and 75.2.
Is Kasilof open for fishing?
Kasilof River personal use salmon dipnetting is open June 25 through August 7. Dipnetting on the Kasilof is allowed 24-hours per day, 7-days per week. No king salmon may be kept in the Kasilof River personal use dipnet fishery. Remember, this fishery is managed in-season by emergency order, and can close at any time.
Can you keep kings on the Kasilof?
No king salmon may be kept in the Kasilof River dipnet fishery. King salmon caught in the Kasilof River personal use set gillnet fishery may be retained. These are annual household limits, not a daily limit, or a limit per fishery.
Where can I fish for sockeye on Kasilof River?
Description: The Kasilof River sockeye salmon sonar project is located approximately 8 river miles upstream from the river mouth, just upstream of the Sterling Highway bridge. Sockeye salmon travel time to this site from Cook Inlet ranges from approximately 12-hours to 36-hours.
What kind of fish are in the Kasilof River?
The Fish. Four species of salmonโsockeye, king, pink and coho salmonโand rainbow trout, steelhead, char and whitefish spawn in the Kasilof River drainage.
Is the anchor river open for fishing?
Anchor River, Deep Creek, and the Ninilchik River are usually open in June, but are weekend-only fisheries (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday).
Can non residents hunt in Alaska?
Nonresident Aliens: A nonresident alien must be personally accompanied by an Alaska-licensed guide to hunt ANY big game animal, including black bear, brown/grizzly bear, bison, caribou, Dall sheep, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wolf and wolverine.
What can you hunt in Soldotna Alaska?
We are committed to providing the finest black bear, brown bear, and moose hunts on the Kenai Peninsula and accommodate all hunting methods, including fly-in, spot, and camp & stalk hunts. Hunting in this part of Alaska is an unparalleled experience. Big game is abundant in this virgin, unspoiled area.
How many acres is the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge?
Wildlife viewing and canoeing are key attractions in this diverse refuge, comprised of alpine tundra, wetlands, and boreal forest. Kenai National Wildlife Refuge makes up a long, broad swath of the western Kenai Peninsula, stretching across 2 million acres.
What kind of fish are in Skilak Lake?
- Char.
- Chinook Salmon.
- Dolly Varden Trout.
- Lake Trout.
- Rainbow Trout.
- Salmon.
- Trout.
How many sockeye can you keep on the Kenai River?
Fishing for sockeye and chum salmon is open the entire year unless otherwise noted below. 16 inches or longer: 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination. Less than 16 inches: 10 per day, 10 in possession in combination.
Can you still catch king salmon in Alaska?
Chinook (King) Salmon The best times to catch Alaskan King Salmon are mid-May through mid-September. You’re allowed to catch one Chinook salmon, if it’s larger than 28 inches, between July 1st and December 31st.
Is Fish Creek open for dipnetting?
Seasons: Personal use salmon dipnetting in Fish Creek is only opened by emergency order. There is no “normal” season. Some years the fishery does not open at all. If the fishery opens, it typically opens in mid- to late-July.
How do you fish for king salmon?

When can you dip net in Alaska?
The dipnet season is currently July 10 through July 31 and requires a personal use fishery permit. Please familiarize yourself with current permit requirements and regulations, which may be found in the fishing regulation booklet published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish.
Can you keep king salmon in Kasilof?
Kasilof River Early-Run (May 1 – June 30) The bag limit is two hatchery fish per day and in possession. All naturally-produced king salmon must be released immediately.
Where is the best sockeye fishing in Alaska?
Where to fish for Sockeye Salmon in Alaska? The area around Bristol Bay offers some of the heaviest runs of Sockeye. The major rivers include the Nushagak, Naknek, the Kvichak, and the Egegik rivers as well as their tributaries.
Where is the best sockeye salmon fishing in Alaska?
The largest sockeye salmon populations are in the Kvichak, Naknek, Ugashik, Egegik, and Nushagak Rivers that flow into Alaska’s Bristol Bay, plus the Fraser River system in Canada. In good years, these runs can number in the tens of millions of fish.
How do you fish for sockeye salmon from shore?

Where do you launch a boat on Kasilof?
At mile 109 of the Sterling Highway, adjacent to the bridge where the highway crosses the river is the Kasilof River State Recreation Site, a day-use only park with picnic areas and a boat launch.