Welcome to Skilak Lake Alaska in the Kenai Wildlife Recreation Area.

Skilak Lake is our families favorite recreation area on the Kenai Peninsula. With such beauty and close proximity to Cooper Landing, Sterling, Soldotna and Kenai, we felt the yearning to create this web site and try to get more local families to take pleasure in this relaxing unspoiled location as much as we do. Many days the campgrounds are nearly empty and we find ourselves the only ones on the lake. Seldom is the "boat in only" forest service cabin being used, and for a mere $35.00 per night, this is a real steal and the location is out of the world. Bunks, tables, firewood, woodstove, and so much more located in excellent bear viewing, salmon fishing, Mackinaw (Lake Trout) and rainbow trout fishing. Blueberries grow wild on the mountain sides, rabbits, spruce hens, hawks, and eagles are so common a site you almost forget their there. There's a glacier at the head of the lake and a rugged shoreline to be explored. If you have yet to visit Skilak Lake, plan on a visit soon. All four seasons are filled with spectacular beauty in a great setting just a short drive from Soldotna.

And now for the scoop on some things to do in the Skilak Lake Area.

Location: Mid point of the Kenai Peninsula just a short scenic drive from the Sterling Highway.

Access: One road, two entrances. Skilak Lake Road is located between Cooper Landing and Soldotna and around 110 to 118 mile from Anchorage Alaska via the scenic Sterling Highway.

Description: Skilak Lake is formed from the waters of the Kenai River and melt off from Skilak Glacier on the eastern most end of the lake. As both main feeder streams into this lake emanate from glacial origin, Skilak waters are somewhat cloudy from glacial silt suspended within the waters. This bluish gray coloring diminishes due to settling as you travel down the lake and by mid lake the water has cleared considerably.

Skilak lake lies in the valley carved by the receding glaciers of past. Shorelines vary from gentle sloping spruce and aspen covered forests to vertical rock walls jetting high out of the water.

Skilak Lake Water Depth: Contour map of Skilak Lake. Depths listed in meters. Excellent trout fishing can be found using the details found on these supplied maps. here are no guides currently operating on the lake but there is a lodge and cabin available on a boat in basis. Fish the shallows in the early spring and late fall for giant Kenai rainbow trout and Mackinaw, lake trout.

Skilak Lake Map: These maps of Skilak Lake are provided for general referance of location and access points only. It is not to be used for navigation purposes on the lake.

Overall Length: 15 miles from the rivers inlet at Skilak Glacier to the outlet near the lower campground. The Kenai River inlet is located around 3 miles down from the glacier.

Widths: 1 Mile to 4 Miles from narrowest to widest points

Maximum Depth: 528 Feet, 160 Meters

Mean Depth: 240 Feet, 73 Meters

Lake Elevation: 150 Feet, 46 Meters

Fishing: Best suited for boats, Skilak Lake offers a number of excellent opportunities for fishing from shore. Both campgrounds grant access to fishing and can produce action for various species during different times of the year but the best fishing access point are from the hiking trails in the area.

Species: Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Chinook Salmon, Silver Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon.

Boating: Two access points are available. First is located at Lower Skilak Lake Campground. This boat launch is gravel based with a concrete ramp. Trailer parking is located in the two designated areas as you enter the campground from Skilak Lake Road.
The second is at Upper Skilak Lake Campground and is a well improved paved launch with a mild grade. This launch is better suited for larger, deeper draft boats due to the slight advantage in incline. Boating safety in part with the Alaska Boat Safety First Program.

Kenai River Inlet: Located near the east end of the lake, the mighty Kenai River flows through the valley from the Russian River area past Jims Landing on Skilak Lake Road and through the Kenai Canyon then enters the into the lake. Fishing is restricted in this area and you need to see the current regulations before fishing within one mile of the inlet.

Kenai River Outlet: Just south of the lower campground, the lake dumps out into a winding waterway that begins what is known as the middle section of the Kenai River. Fishing is restricted in this area and you need to see the current regulations before fishing within one mile of the outlet.

Camping: The two camgrounds are covered in full, See Skilak Lake Road

Doroshin Bay Forest Service Cabin: Recerational cabins from the Alaska State Parks, Federal Government, and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge public use cabin, for more information see Doroshin Bay Cabin on Skilak Lake page. View the Photo Album for more images from this area.

Hiking Trails: Wildlife Refuge Hiking? Planning a safe hiking trip within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge can be an enjoyable experience as long as you are well prepared. Knowing your limits, taking the time to plan ahead, and packing the right items are essential if you want to have a safe hiking trip in a wilderness setting.

All Map references will relate to the Alaska Map series of the Alaska Atlas & Gazetteer.

• Bear Mountain Trail: Bear mountain trail is a moderate hike just under 1 mile in length.
• Cottonwood Creek Trailhead: Boat accessable hiking trail located across lake.
• Hidden Creek Trail: Accessible from Skilak Lake Road
• Seven Lakes Trail: Between Kelly Lake and Engineer Lake
• Skilak Overlook Trail: Accessible from Skilak Lake Road

Caribou Island: Located across the lake from the campgrounds, Caribou Island is mainly private land accessed via boat of float equipped aircraft in the spring through fall and snowmachines in the winter after the lake adequately freezes for safe passage.

Frying Pan Island: Located across the lake from the campgrounds, Frying Pan Island is small heavily forested island with thick vegetation. Use caution when boating in this area as there are many shallow areas surrounding the island.

Wildlife: The most common you will see are Moose, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Wolf, Coyote, Linx, Beaver, Snoeshoe Hare (Rabbits), Porcupine, Fox and many other lesser species of wildlife. Read more about Wildlife Viewing in the refuge.

Bird Watching: Many species of birds are found in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area. There is an excellent birding guide available from the visitors center. Because this topic is so large, a special page is being dedicated just to Birds of Skilak Lake Wildlife Recreation Area.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge:

Learn more about the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge by visiting the KNWR Visitors Center at Mile 58 Sterling Highway just across from the east enterance to Skilak Lake Road. The Visitors center is open from mid June through August from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
or the main office on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.

SkilakLake.com works to promote, inform, and improve the outdoor experience. Throughout SkilakLake.com, you'll find a variety of recreational ideas, camping and hiking ideas suited for the whole family. New for 2007 will be information about camping with children in the Skilak Lake Recreation Area, and some equipment ideas from which to enhance your outdoor recreational activities. We want you to enjoy Skilak Lake and the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area as much as we do! Kenai Trout Fishing and fly fishing in the lake excels throughout the year. Try ice fishing in the long Alaska winters for lake trout, rainbow trout and dolly varden.

This site is maintained for your enjoyment by Anchorage with marketing in association with Alaska Fly In Fishing
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