Kuviak Lake in the Swanson River Canoe System. (Photo by Matt Bowser)

Discover the allure of canoeing opportunities on the refuge

Imagine embarking on a journey through the untouched wilderness of Alaska, gliding along pristine waterways, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. Perhaps you’ll witness… Continue reading

Kuviak Lake in the Swanson River Canoe System. (Photo by Matt Bowser)
A wild hare stops for a rest in May 2023 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Out of the Office: No work, all play

With the last of the snow patches finally melted away, it’s time to start spring cleanup. I get out my yard gloves, the rake, the… Continue reading

A wild hare stops for a rest in May 2023 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A freshly stocked rainbow trout swims in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A freshly stocked rainbow trout swims in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Middle schoolers practice fly casting into the Kenai River during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Learning to love the watershed

Kids camp teaches fly fishing, ecology

Middle schoolers practice fly casting into the Kenai River during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Contestants race down the Kenai River during the 16th Annual Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta near the Eagle Landing Resort in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Contestants race down the Kenai River during the 16th Annual Cooper Landing Drift Boat Regatta near the Eagle Landing Resort in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Braydon Niebuhr at the Anchor River on Tuesday May 9.  Emilie Springer/ Homer News

Out of the Office: The river no map can show

On Tuesday morning, May 9, sixth grade students in Carly Garay’s Fireweed Academy class are impatiently waiting to begin their end of the year trip… Continue reading

Braydon Niebuhr at the Anchor River on Tuesday May 9.  Emilie Springer/ Homer News
Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

Assembly backs efforts to make Cooper Landing more walkable

A pathway would follow the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing and connect key spots in the community

Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)
Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids gather for annual Salmon Celebration at Johnson Lake

They stocked rainbow trout in the lake and visited dozens of booths to learn about fish, wildlife, habitat and regulations

Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Springtime baby moose. (Tim Bowman/ADF&G)

Refuge Notebook: Wildlife facts and safety tips for summer

Spring officially began March 20, despite the weather. Wildlife unseen for months will return with the sun, bears emerge from dens, and young of every… Continue reading

Springtime baby moose. (Tim Bowman/ADF&G)
Poster for Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Fishing Gear Swap. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited)

Trout Unlimited to host fishing gear swap May 13

Gear can be dropped off and sold at the event for commission or just donated

Poster for Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Fishing Gear Swap. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited)
Harper Leck, 3, watches as her line and weight sink into the water at an Alaska Department of Fish and Game-stocked fish pond at the annual Sports and Rec Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion file)

Sport, Rec Trade Show returns this weekend

Somewhere around 120 vendors are participating this year

Harper Leck, 3, watches as her line and weight sink into the water at an Alaska Department of Fish and Game-stocked fish pond at the annual Sports and Rec Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion file)
Canoe Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, April 23, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: When is the best time of the year to leave?

When is the best time of the year to leave the Kenai Peninsula? A friend recently chose April for an extended vacation. “April,” I asked.… Continue reading

Canoe Lake on the Kenai Peninsula, April 23, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Devil’s Creek Trailhead to close for beetle kill mitigation

The spruce beetle outbreak has led to a significant number of dead or dying spruce trees around the trailhead

The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Beyond counting fish

Salmon panel set for next KPC Showcase

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game projects ‘average’ sockeye run for 2023 season

Annual projection and review of last season published last week

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Jerry Burnett, chair of the Board of Game, speaks during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Board of Game decides on local proposals

Trapping setbacks, archery hunts and duck restrictions were up for consideration

Jerry Burnett, chair of the Board of Game, speaks during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)

Board of Fisheries approves regulation changes

Changes include simplified registration and new invasive species

Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)
The Alaska Board of Fisheries discusses three emergency petitions directed at Cook Inlet East Side Set Net closures during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)

Fisheries board rejects local anglers’ emergency petitions

Each of the petitions was rejected for failing to meet the board’s definition of an emergency

The Alaska Board of Fisheries discusses three emergency petitions directed at Cook Inlet East Side Set Net closures during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)
Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)

Locals weigh in on proposals at fisheries board meeting

Several anglers from the Kenai Peninsula testified against Proposals 163-167

Glen Trombley, a Kenai River personal use guide, testifies to the Alaska Board of Fisheries during the 2023 Statewide Finfish Meeting on March 10, 2023 at the Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage Alaska. (Screenshot)