North of Sterling in the refuge, you’ll find the Swan Lake and Swanson
River canoe trails.
Izaak
Walton Boat Launch
The Moose River meets the Kenai River at Sterling. Woven coconut husk, elevated stairways, and metal walkways are visible
along the river in this part of the Kenai Peninsula.
The riverbanks are important to the ecosystem of the river and salmon production in particular because grasses along
the banks harbor insects and the small salmon fry that live here.
At least 160 private landowners are helping with revegetation projects.
Please observe the plastic flagging and notices along the riverbanks.
Canoe
Trails
This is one of America’s great canoe trail systems.
Teach A Man to Fish...
Four towns stretch out near the mouth of the Kenai River: Sterling, Soldotna, Kenai and Nikiski.
Each has its own personality, but they physically blend into each other in a way that almost makes them a single community right
in the middle of terrific fishing country. Bordered by the ocean and the Kenai River, this is the home of giant halibut, salmon,
and trout. There’s even a community college “Fishing Academy.”
4 FISHIN’ TOWNS
on the Lower Kenai River
Sterling | Alaska homestead-style
community with a rural flavor.
Soldotna | Busy modern town. Easy salmon-fishing sites
right downtown.
Kenai | Near the outlet of the Kenai River into the sea. Historic
Russian churches and buildings.
Nikiski | Up the coast from Kenai.
Lakes and rolling hills. Recreation area.
FISH STERLING 101
You can fish for kings, reds and silvers in the waters near Sterling.
There
is public access to the Kenai River at Bing’s Landing (mile 80), Izaak Walton (mile 82), and Morgan’s Landing (turn
at Scout Lake Loop Road, mile 85).
Fishing on Kenai rivers is controlled by Fish & Game, which makes its decisions based on sonar counts
of returning salmon.
When the salmon counts are high enough, Fish & Game opens the river to fishing. At times, you must
release fish over or under a certain size.
Openings and closures can change daily, so it’s wise to check before fishing.
The Kenai Sports Fishing Association encourages the release of the very largest king salmon, so they can
produce offspring.
Kenai National Wildlife
Refuge 
Izaak
Walton Boat Launch
Canoe
Trails 
