51! /1 .415 Volume 6 1964-1965 At ARLIS I/.(P Alaska Resources STATE OF ALASKA Library & Information Services Ancl~ ', '6' ll.iSka William A. Egan, Governor
ANNUAL REPORT OF PROGRESS, 1964 - 1965
FEDERAL AID IN FISH RESTORATION PROJECT F-5-R-6
SPORT FISH INVESTIGATIONS OF ALASKA
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Walter Kirkness, Commissioner
E. S. Marvich, Deputy Commissioner
Alex H. McRea, Director Sport Fish Division
Louis S. Bandirola, Coordinator 0) L!')" co ~ o o o L!') L!') M" M INTRODUCTION
This report of progress consists of Job Segment Reports from the State of Alaska Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-S-R-6, "Sport Fish Investigations of Alaska."
The project during this report period is composed of 23 separate studies designed to evaluate the various aspects of the State's recreational fishery resources. Of these, eight jobs are designed to pursue the cata loging and inventory of the numerous State waters in an attempt to index the potential recreational fisheries. Four jobs are designed for collection of specific sport fisheries creel census while the remainder of the jobs are more specific in nature. These include independent studies on king salmon, silver salmon, grayling, Dolly Varden, a statewide access evaluation program and an egg take program.
A report concerning the residual effects of toxa phene accumulates the findings of a three-year study. The report presented here terminates this segment and is a final report. The information gathered from the combined studies will provide the necessary background data for a better understanding of local management problems and will assist in the development of future investigational studies.
The subject matter contained within these reports is often fragmentary in nature. The findings may not be conclusive and the interpretations contained therein are subject to re-evaluation as the work progresses. Volume 6 Report No. 18-G
JOB COMPLETION REPORT
RESEARCH PROJECT SEGMENT
STATE: ALASKA Name: Sport Fish Investigations of Alaska.
Project No.: F-5-R-6 Title: Investigations of Alaska's Public Fishing Access Requirements. Job No.: 18-G
Period Covered: April 11, 1964 to April 14, 1965.
ABSTRACT
Statewide sport fishing access investigations involved review and evaluation of 1,179 freshwater and 64 intertidal and saltwater environs. Priority of areas requiring investi gations was based on trends in land selection activities, land entry and highway projects.
Recommendations were submitted to Alaska Department of Highways, Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Bureau of Land Management for 124 sites totaling 1,215.8 acres. The sites will provide access to 55 lakes and 48 streams or rivers. Land agency and negotiation action is reported on providing access to 108 lakes and 28 streams.
Landownership by state and federal agencies and private land entry was reported for four study regions encompassing 375 million acres of land.
A detailed study was conducted on landownership of lake shore property for a 25 township area containing 262 lakes serving the Anchorage - Palmer area anglers. One hundred eighty-two lakes had public lands; 81 of these were marginal fisheries. Eighty lakes were surrounded by public land; 30 of these were marginal waters and 16 private, but productive waters were open to public via rights-of-way or campgrounds.
Recommendations for future work with federal, state and borough agencies are included in the report. Techniques con cerning the examination and evaluation of waters are described, together with the various land laws under which sites are obtained and held for public use. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. 1. Continued cooperation with the State Division of Lands and the Bureau of Land Management, u. S.
321 I
Department of Interior, in determining sport I fishing values, potential and access requirements of currently unclassified lands. I 2. 2. Continue reviewing preliminary highway project plans and submit recommendations to State highway planners concerning location and development of I access roadways, parking areas and future boat launching sites. I 3. 3. Continued effort in determining the fish producing capabilities of lakes which have not been bio logically cataloged or inventoried. I
4. 4. Assist the boroughs in their long range land planning with recommendations for securing public I access to sport fisheries.
5. 5. Sites, currently withdrawn for public purposes and I that are to be or are currently being restored and made available to the State for land selection, be selected and held for public access and related I recreational use.
OBJECTIVES I
1. 1. To investigate potential recreational fishing areas in the public domain, State lands and, when required, I private lands.
2. 2. To establish priority files on areas requiring access I investigations and to make recommendations for the withdrawal or the classification of lands for public fishing access purposes. I
3. 3. To maintain current status files on land jurisdiction to facilitate management and research projects. I TECHNIQUES USED I 1. 1. Examination and evaluation of each area for public access requirements involved: I a. a. Sport Fishery: The biological and limnological data was acquired on each water from Departmental lake-stream catalog-inventory records, information I supplied by Department biologists and by field inspections using standard lake and stream survey I methods. b. b. Current or Anticipated Angler Use: Current angler I use estimates were based on Department creel census projects and reports, annual campground use statistics developed by the Department of I I 322 322 I I
I Natural Resources, U. S. Forest Service visitor studies, Department of Highways Traffic Reports andand various user statistics from compiled I reports associated with activities of the Alaska Outdoor Recreation Council and Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Additional information was I collected from hotel-lodge clerks and managers, air charter pilots, guides and, whenever possible, local residents. The resultant information from I these sources pointed out current and future problem areas and aided, in many instances, in directing our attention to areas requiring I immediate investigation. The user data was used in support of site recommendations.
I c.c. Reviews of both federal and state land records were scheduled and carried out. In connection with maintaining an access site status file, I the trends in land entry and land selections were specially followed (Figure 1).
I 22. . Access site files were maintained and periodically updated as the status of the specific site changed or State and Borough land selection programs moved I into new regions. Review of Federal Registers and available landownership records assisted in pointing out areas requiring effort and aided in establishing I priority of access investigations.
Recommendations for the withdrawal, reservation or classification of lands for sport fishing access were made on the basis of anticipated future requirements. TheThe following land laws and administrative procedures were used or were involved in facilitating the orderly withdrawal, reservation or classification for public access:
a.a. Classification and Multiple-Use Act, approved September 1964 (78 Stat. 986; 43 U.S.C. 1411-18)
b.b. Public Land Sale Act approved September 1964 (78 Stat. 988; 43 U.S.C. 1421-27)
c.c. Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (78 Stat. 897; Title 1, Section 5, P.L. 88-578)
d.d. Federal Aid to Highways Act (72 Stat. 885, 904, 916; 23 U.S.C. 131, 139)
e.e. Bureau of Public Roads Instructional Memorandum No. 21-5-63, June 12, 1963, Subject: Coordination of Public Interests of Highway Improvements with those of Fish and Wildlife Resource.
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g. Reserve-Use Lands Applications and Land Classification provisions of Title 11 - Alaska Land Act.
Following evaluation of the specific fishery-in terms of future access needs, three procedures are under taken or involved.
First, site recommendations are submitted to the land agency having current land control of the area. Depending on importance and urgency, the recommenda tions may be the appropriate application, a letter of request or verbal recommendation submitted during recreation planning conferences.
Second, where required or appropriate, applica tions are filed by the various land agencies acting upon our recommendations. These applications may be of a temporary or interim nature in order to secure the site or sites. Where applications are not utilized, the responsible land agency may only note the request on the official land status plats.
Third, the site is considered acquired for future access purposes when the appropriate Public Land Order, Land Classification Order is issued or Reserve Use classification is noted on official records.
3. New ADL and BLM cadastral survey plats, charts and U.S.G.S. topographic maps were acquired to facilitate locating, describing and estimating the extent of future development required to make a site useable or accessible.
Coordination and cooperation necessary for an effective public access project required considerable liaison between this Department and the Bureau of Land Man agement (BLM), Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. S. Forest Service, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Lands (ADL), Alaska Department of Highways (ADH), Department of Public Works and Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Boroughs.
FINDINGS
The statewide investigation and evaluation of waters to determine Alaska's sport fishing access requirements involved 1,179 freshwater and 64 intertidal and saltwater environs. Eight hundred forty-six lakes and 333 streams were reviewed; 262 of these lakes were within a special Matanuska Valley study unit.
325 As a result of these studies, application for 124 access sites totaling 1,215.8 acres were sent to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management or the Alaska Department of Highways. These sites will provide for 49,374 feet of shore space on 55 lakes comprising 372,000 surface acres. Sites on stream fisheries encompass 71,650 feet on 48 waters. In addition, site reservations were requested on 19 combination tideland-upland beach tracts.
During this report period, 124 access sites or rights-of way were reserved by the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, State Land Classification Orders or Reserve-Use Applications. The sites, resulting from past and current requests, provide for the undeveloped access land requirements on 93 lakes and 16 streams. An additional 45 acres are classified or have granted rights-of-way and are used for both access and other recreation purposes on 15 lakes, 12 streams, 10 saltwater sites plus 15 tideland areas.
These sites provide both undeveloped and partially developed access to 77,815 surface acres of lake fisheries, with over 64,000 feet of stream bank and lakeshore frontage, plus unknown tidelands acreage.
The special Matanuska subunit investigation resulted in cataloging 107 lakes for future access effort. Specific requests are being held until exact site location is made or until additional biological-limnological data is collected.
Sixty-three access sites on 34 lakes and 21 streams that were recommended and previously submitted or amended during the report period remained unclassified or unreserved. The 26,667.95 acres involved are pending development and activation of administrative procedures of the Classification and Multiple Use Act.
Access tracts recommended for reserve-use on 26 Matanuska Valley lakes were classified or reserved.
Ten sites submitted for access site classification were entered by private parties or were found to be within old patented mining claims.
The intensive Matanuska Valley access study revealed that 64 lakes were marginal for producing sport fishes, lacked public access or were encompassed by private holdings and closed to public use. Affected are 3,116 surface acres.
A review of proposed road routes listed in a Department of Highways National Scenic and Parkway Report resulted in tentative access site proposals on 17 lakes and 19 fisheries that would be affected by construction of routes as proposed.
326 326 I
I Effort and results are reported within the framework of four general areas. They are Kateel River - West Umiat Meridian; Western Seward Meridian; East Umiat - Fairbanks I Copper River - East Seward Meridian; Matanuska Valley unit and Eastern Copper River Meridian.
I Kateel River - Western Umiat Meridian
This is a general report region covering 115 million I acres with 510,000 lakes and over 1,210 rivers-streams. The area ranges from protracted Township 28 South to 34 North, Ranges 28 East to 45 West, Kateel River and Township 16 South I to 22 North, Ranges 6 East to 62 West, Umiat Meridians.
Landownership and jurisdiction, in general, indicate I that 91.4 million acres are under the Bureau of Land Management, 23.0 million acres comprising Naval Petroleum Reserve No.4 fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, 0.5 I million acres are under a recent State land selection applica tion and approximately 100,000 acres are within villages, cities, roads, mining claims, reindeer stations and other I patented land entries.
River and stream fisheries exceed 600,000 miles and the I species present or potential fisheries are variable. North westerly Brooks Range slope waters contain whitefish species, I grayling, burbot and minor salmon occurrences, whereas, the southwesterly slope rivers and streams contain sheefish, all salmon species, grayling, pike, Dolly Varden and Arctic char, I burbot and whitefish species. North slope lakes contain predominantly Arctic char, lake trout and whitefish combinations, whereas, south slope lakes I contain varying combinations of lake trout, pike, grayling, burbot, whitefish species, Dolly Varden char, and to a more I limited degree, Arctic char. A list of 30 access sites was submitted to the Bureau of I Land Management for classification and retention (Table 1). They are to provide access to 342,000 surface acres on 17 of the region's principal lake sport fisheries and 16,150 feet I of frontage on 15 streams (Figure 2).
TABLE 1. - Fisheries Recommended to BLM for Site Classification I and Retention (43 U.S.C. 1411-18)
Figure Number Sites Min. Acres I Number Sport Fishery Requested Recommended
2 Selawik Lake 1 5 I Unalakleet River-Old Woman River 1 5 I Unalakleet River-Tenmile River 1 4
I 327 I TABLE 1. (Cont.) - Fisheries Recommended to BLM for Site Classification and Retention (43 U.S.C. 1411-18)
Figure Number Sites Min. Acres Acres Number Sport Fishery Requested Recommended Recommended
Unalakleet River-North River 1 5 5 2 Walker Lake (NE shore) 1 10 10 2 (Midriff) 1 10 10 2 (SW shore) 1 10 10 2 Nourtak Lake 1 10 10 2 Lake Minakokosa (inlet) 1 10 10 2 Lake Anirak (outlet) 1 1 10 10 2 Kollioksok Lake (inlet) 1 10 2 Takahula Lake (outlet) 1 5 5 2 (NE shore) 1 10 10 2 Tobuk Lake (Sly shore) 1 1 5 5 2 (NW shore) 1 5 2 Iniakuk Lake (SW shore) 1 1 20 20 2 (SE shore) 1 10 2 Avaraart Lake (SE shore) 1 1 10 10 2 Little Walker Lake (SE shore) 1 5 2 Shainin Lake (outlet) 1 20 2 Little Chandler-Ikagiak Creek 1 1 10 10 2 Chandler Lake (SE shore) 1 200 2 Round (Chandler) Lake (inlet) 1 1 10 10 2 (outlet) 1 10 2 Fish (Chandler) Lake (SE shore) 1 100 Kuskokwim River-South Fork River 1 17 Innoko River-Yukon River 1 40 40 2 Kobuk River-Squirrel River 1 4 4 2 Cutler River-Noatak River 1 1 5 5 2 Helpmejack Lake #1 1 10
Sport fisheries that were investigated during the 1959 to 1964 field seasons and subsequently recommended for reservation action by State land selection were visited in a cooperative BLM-ADFG field trip. Twenty-seven such fisheries, previously reported, were incorporated into the BLM land-use plan for this region (Figure 2).
A second cooperative field trip was completed, covering the Nome - Solomon road system. All previously submitted road side access sites in this area were pointed out during an on the-ground survey. Following completion of the field trip, a complete land status search was made on each tract. Results, based on mineral and mines status records, indicated that a number of the accessible and better sport fishing areas were located on old patented mining claims. Attempts at locating the patentees, owners or interested parties for negotiations on legal public-use have not been successful to date. Five sites
328 328
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-\-~,, __~ \ J ~, 6~~ c: ~ \ I I I I I I ______[L I ------_J • ACCESS SITES-BLM DISTRICT LAND PLAN fiGURE 2. • POTENTIAL SPORT FISHERY • on Iron Creek, Cripple Creek, Snake Creek, Penny River and Nome River fall within the above category. Nome - Solomon roadside access areas that were found to have been on unreserved public domain are being prepared for recreation-access classi fication by BLM (Table 2). TABLE 2. - Previously Scheduled Region Fisheries Sites Recommended but yet Unclassified for Retention (43 U.S.C. 1411-18) Sport Fishery Location No. Sites Acreage Pilgrim River Bunker Hill 1 40 Kuzitrin River Bunker Hill 1 15 Grand Central River Bunker Hill 1 45 Salmon Lake Bunker Hill 2 15 Glacial Lake Sinuk River 2 20 Sinuk River Sinuk River 1 16 Western Seward Meridian This area encompasses the Lower Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, Alaska Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island. This region extends from protracted Township 33 North to plus 65 South, Ranges 19 West to 104 West, Seward Meridian. A study of protraction land maps and plats indicates that 87 million acres are present. There are 82.9 million acres under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Department of the Interior, 3.4 million acres are currently under State Land Selection application, 0.6 million acres are within Chugach National Forest Reserve and less than 0.1 million acres are patented or entered lands, villages, mining claims, etc. The lodges and angler-hunter camps located throughout this complex are serviced by commercial air transportation. Planned, proposed and existing roads and road extensions and oil and other mineral exploration and development activities tend to emphasize a high potential for future growth and settlement in portions of this area. Sport fishery potential appears very high on the 139,000 lakes and 605 principal rivers and streams. During this report segment, 67 lakes, 18 streams and 2 intertidal or marine fisheries were investigated as to the minimum public access required. As a result, a request was submitted to reserve 18 tracts totaling 121 acres that will provide 7,680 feet beach frontage on lake fisheries of 7,900 surface acres (Table 3). Three tracts will provide 6,300 feet of frontage on three excellent stream fisheries. 330 I I TABLE 3. - Regional Fisheries Recommended for Retention (43 U.S.C. 1411-18) I Figure No. Sites Minimum Acres Acres Number Sport Fishery Requested Recommended Recommended I 3 Hickerson Lake 1 12 3 Silver-Salmon Lakes (2) 1 4 4 3 3 Chenik Lake (outlet) 1 1 10 10 I 3 Mirror Lake (narrows) 1 10 3 (inlet) 1 1 8 8 3 Big Spectacle Lake (SW point) 1 5 I 3 (SE Bay) 1 8 3 (inlet) 1 2 3 3 McNeil Lake (outlet) 1 1 20 20 I 3 Emerald Creek 1 5 3 Emerald Lake #1 (narrows) 1 3 3 Dream Lakes 1, 2 & 3 3 11 I 3 Kakhonak Bay Lakes 1 & 2 3 15 3 Kakhonak Creek 1 8 (no map Kuskokwim River-Holitna River 1 100 I location) I As a result of past recommendations for reservation of specific Peninsula sites and following a field trip involving I the Sport Fish Division, Bureau of Land Management and State Division of Lands personnel, 28 tracts, averaging 728 acres per site, were jointly agreed upon as meeting the various I future public recreation use and sport fishing access needs. The sport fisheries concerned were those formerly submitted for either State selection and eventual public recreation I classification or BLM segregation and withdrawal action (Table 4). The location of the sites are indicated by symbol I on the area map (Figure 3). TABLE 4. - Sport Fishing Access Sites Contained Within the I Proposed BLM Alaska Peninsula Recreation Complex Land Plan 20' Stream a/o Lake Shore I Acreage Public Use Rights-of-Way Sport Fishery Planned Lake Stream I Mother Goose Lake 1,875 x x x Ugashik Lake (Ruth Creek) 1,120 x x x Ugashik Lake (outlet) 560 x x I Ugashik Lake (narrows) 550 x x Becharof Lake (narrows) 1,420 x x Becharof Lake (outlet) 1,060 x x I Naknek River 500 x Naknek Lake (outlet) 610 x I Kulik Lake (outlet) 1,110 x x I 331 I TABLE 4. (Cont.) - Sport Fishing Access Sites Contained Within the Proposed BLM Alaska Peninsula Recreation Complex Land Plan 20 1 Stream a/o Lake Shore Acreage Public Use Rights-of-Way Sport Fishery Planned Lake Stream Nonvianuk Lake 955 x x Kukaklek Lake (outlet) 655 x x Battle Lake (outlet) 455 x x Kvichak River 485 x Iliamna Lake (outlet) 1,130 x x Gibralter Lake (outlet) 550 x x Dream Creek x x Little Dream Creek x x Gibralter Creek x Newhalen River (Iliamna Lake) 1,260 x x Newhalen River (Rapids) x Newhalen River (Crossing) 570 x Sixmile Lake 130 x x Lake Clark (outlet) 255 x x Lower Tazimina Lake (outlet) 835 x x Lower Tazimina Lake (inlet) 845 x x Upper Tazimina Lake (outlet) 395 x x Upper Tazimina Lake (inlet) 405 x x Mulchatna Lake (outlet) 670 x Lower Twin Lake (outlet) 510 x x Lower Twin Lakes (narrows) 495 x Turquoise Lake (outlet) 505 x Turquoise Lake (inlet) 455 x I I I I In addition to the enlargement of each previously recom mended access site, a unique and desirable stream-bank and lake , shore right-of-way has been added. The 20-foot right-of-way strip will provide for the necessary freedom of movement for the sports fisherman and yet does not hinder or greatly restrict certain classes of land entry and eventual private landownership I of lands subject to this feature. Two lake access sites previously submitted for state land selection are now entered and may pose future user conflicts. I East Umiat - Fairbanks - Copper River - East Seward Meridians The boundaries of this area range from the Eastern Arctic Coast on the north to Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet to the south, with the Alaska-Yukon Territory boundary forming the eastern limits. Within this l49-million-acre region, 230,000 freshwater lakes and 2,940 rivers and streams were counted and measured for a general picture of fishery resources. It is believed, due to the scale of the maps used in arriving at the above lake count figure, that the count represents less than 332 332 68 W 22WI8N I I 1 I I , I I 11N iis ,. I :; ' FIGURE 3. Access Sites-BLM ALASKA w • w PENINSULA RECREATION w PlA N. o Access Sites- PRO POSED. seA l E 1"_S.(MllES I OCEAN 12NI12N I 6EIE I BARTER ISLAND I I FIGURE 4. I I .' I Scale 1" 47Miles I l i I ~\ I I , I , . j !( I \, I I , \ I ) (\ \ / • ACCESS SITES-8LM I \ I I \\ Arctic ~ildVdel Range ) DISTRICT LAND PLAN 1.. :~';t w I n\, \ \ w I'" I \ I ..,. I~,~ • POTENTIAL SPORT I \ \ I~ , \ /~C FISHERY I::> \ \ \~\ I , I ) , ,I I ~ I ~ ,-' ------1 J I ------!~ ll:V-31N ? ---- -,~~l&S 23 W ( \ ;:~ \\ '" ...4( 26N21N ''-OVENET IE ------ ------ 26 29E I IIII FIGUR E 5. I Scale 1'=57 Miles • WATERS WITH WITH ACCESS SITES SITES - ACCESS SITES-8LM w w DISTRICT LAND PLAN VI 32N +24w SM t VA I I 50 percent of existing lakes and ponds. Measurements indicate that more than one million miles of rivers and streams drain this area. I Regional protractions locate the area of investigation within four prime meridians. Township 16 South to 14 North I and Ranges 7 East to 48 East, umiat Meridian. Second, Township 36 North to 22 South and Ranges from 33 East to 26 West, Fairbanks Meridian. The third meridian covers Townships 27 I North to 23 South, Copper River Meridian. The fourth and last meridian covers Townships 32 North to 12 South, Ranges 12 East to 21 West, Seward Meridian. I The pattern of landownership, entries or jurisdiction in the region described is still changing day by day, and, as a I consequence, public access problems arise. Of the rounded 149-million-acre total figure, 131.3 million acres are under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Department of the Interior, 5.5 I million acres are within National Forests, more than 9 million are under State land selections, 3 million acres are directly controlled by the Department of Defense (Army, Air Force, Navy) I and there appears to be more than 200,000 acres in cities, villages and other forms of ownership and land entry. I All species of freshwater fish known to occur within Alaska are present. Active sport fisheries range from the Barter Island sea-run Arctic char fishery to the eastern Brooks I Mountain Range fly-in lakes. There are the interior and coastal sheefish, pike, salmon, grayling, rainbow and cutthroat trout, halibut, flounders, rockfish and smelt sport fisheries I present. The Bureau of Land Management was requested to classify I and retain for public use 38 tracts on 20 lakes and 16 streams. These sites are included in a Land District recreation plan in anticipation of recent congressional legislation and consequent I authority to classify land for multiple use. These tracts total 331 acres and are to provide access to I 20,100 surface acres of lake fisheries and 17,300 feet of shore frontage suitable for beaching float aircraft. Riverboat needs are provided for by including 17,900 feet of stream frontage. I The acquisition, reservation or use classification of the sites submitted to BLM will occur when specific administrative pro cedures are developed and adopted by that agency (Table 5). 1 , I I I 336 336 I TABLE 5. - Fisheries Evaluated and Submitted to BLM for Access Site Classification and Retention (43 U.S.C. 1411-18) Figure No. Sites Minimum Acres Acres Number Sport Fishery Requested Recommended Recommended 4 Vanticlese Lake (NE shore) 1 1 10 + + right of-way to lake from outlet of Old John Lake 4 Porcupine Lake (outlet) 1 10 4 Portage Lake #1 (outlet) 1 5 4 Portage Lake #1 (inlet) 1 5 4 Portage Lake #2 (outlet) 1 5 4 Portage Lake #2 (inlet) 1 5 4 Portage Lake #3 (inlet) 1 5 5 Nine Mile Lake (narrows) 1 15 5 Nine Mile Lake (West Bay) 1 10 5 5 Nine Mile Lake (East Bay) 1 10 10 4 4 Sagavanirktok Lake (NW shore) 1 10 10 4 Galbraith Lake (inlet #1) 1 5 4 Galbraith Lake (inlet #2) 1 5 4 Galbraith Lake (outlet) 1 20 4 Itkillik Lake (outlet) 1 10 4 Vundik Lake (SE shore) 1 5 4 Vundik Lake (west end) 1 25 4 Wind River Lake #1 (outlet) 1 5 4 Wind River Lake #2 (inlet) 1 5 4 Ackerman Lake (NW shore) 1 10 4 Ackerman Lake (outlet) 1 5 4 Vunittsieh Lake (SW shore) 1 10 4 Little Squaw Lake (SE shore) 1 10 4 Upper Twin Lake (outlet) 1 5 4 Lower Twin Lake (inlet) 1 10 4 Big Lake (SE shore) 1 10 5 5 Kandik River - Yukon River 1 1 8 8 5 Nation River - Yukon River 1 25 5 Charley River - Yukon River 1 10 5 Minook Creek - Yukon River 1 10 5 Minook Creek 1 9 5 Dennison Fork - East Fork River 1 8 5 Kechumstuk - Mosquito Fork River 1 2 2 5 Molly Creek 1 15 15 5 Salmon Trout - Porcupine River 1 9 5 Susitna East Fork Lakes (2) 3 15 Nine formerly segregated access sites under R&PP Classi fication 42 were restored to the unreserved public domain by Federal Register order. Immediate action was taken through a request to Anchorage Land District, BLM, that these sites be accorded "protective withdrawal" measures embodied in the 337 R&PP Act. The sites warranted this action because of their strategic location on excellent fisheries and because they were the sole remaining tracts for public use and fishery access (Table 6). TABLE 6. - Sites Restored to Public Domain Status and Re-Segregated Under R&PP Act Fishery Location No. of Sites Acreage Crosswind Lake (outlet) Glennallen 1 5 Crosswind Lake (Beaver Dam) Glennallen 1 5 Crosswind Lake (Eastern Peninsula) Glennallen 1 30 Grizzly Lake (South shore) Gakona 1 25 Cobb Lake West Slana 1 5 Larger Jack Lake Nebesna 1 7 Small Jack Lake Nebesna 1 15 Tanana Lake (East shore) Nebesna 2 5 Tanana Lake (outlet) Nebesna Tanana Creek Nebesna Stream Bank 40 Right-of-Way The above listed tracts, now temporarily re-segregated from entry, total 137 acres, provide fly-in, hiking and drive-in public use and access to 10,490 surface acres of sport fisheries. Access to 14,840 feet of stream bank is also provided. Land Reserve-Use applications were submitted on Fielding Lake and Creek at the time the Federal withdrawal order was revoked, restoring for State selection. This 1,700 surface acre body of water and outlet stream provides grayling fishing to a large number of anglers annually. Of two 2.4 acre sites, one will serve as a parking area and potential boat launching site on the lake proper and the other will provide a parking site and access to the outlet stream. In addition to these tracts, reserve-use was applied for on 4,620 feet of stream bank on Fielding Creek. The entire section of land that encompasses above fishery is currently under State land selection application. Nineteen access sites were classified for public recreation by State Land Classification Orders during this report period. Former site recommendations were incorporated into the overall area land-use plan, establishing 1,940.7 acres of beach and shore frontage on Lake Minchumina, Hiline, Shell, Hewitt and Whiskey Lakes. With exception of Minchumina, these waters are located some 40 miles northwest of Anchorage in the Skwentna district. 338 338 I I Thirty-five tracts of land requested from 1959 to present for State land selection, classification and reservation for future sport fishing access use are under reserve-use I application filed by Division of Lands. They provide undevel I oped access to 20 lakes and 15 rivers and streams (Table 7). TABLE 7. - Region III Access Sites Under ADL Reserve-Use Application I and Retention Figure General Number Acres Under Under I Number Sport Fishery Location Sites Reserve-Use Reserve-Use 5 South Fork, Chena River Fairbanks 1 5 Goldstream River 1 5.0 I 5 Hutlinana River Manley 1 15.0 5 Little Chena River Fairbanks 1 5.0 I 5 Little Donna Lake Delta Junction 1 5 Otto's Lake Healy 1 5 5 Big Pangengi River Healy 1 3.4 3.4 I 6 Bu1chitna Lake-Lake Creek Skwentna 50' R.O.W. 6 Fish Lake #1 1 1.8 6 Yentna River-Lake Creek 1 11. 2 I 6 Neil Lake 1 5.0 6 Croto-Deshka River Susitnasusitna 1 1 .622 .622 6 Griffith Lake 1 .629 I 7 Wadell (Harriet) Lake Tyonek 1 15.0 7 Bear Lake Trading Bay 1 8.0 7 Katnu (Big) River 1 18.0 I 7 West Fork Lake (Kustatan) 1 20.0 7 7 Wolverine Lake #1 Trading Bay 1 12.0 7 Wolverine Lake #2 1 9.0 I 7 Wolverine Lake #3 1 15.0 7 Swank Slough 1 10.0 7 Nikolai Creek 1 7.0 I 7 vJest Creek 1 30.0 7 Crystal Lake 1 18.0 7 Chuit River Tyonek 2 26.0 I 7 Lake Port Dick Seldovia 1 1.2 7 Anderson Beach Lake 2 2.0 7 English Lake #1 2 3.0 r 7 English Lake #2 1 2.0 7 Lake Alexandrovsk 2 2.0 7 China Poot Lake 1 3.3 r 7 Hazel Lake 1 2.0 , Matanuska Valley Unit I An intensive study was conducted on the status of public access to lakes in the Matanuska Valley area. Primary objectives of the study were to determine (1) what lakes are available to the angler, (2) type of land jurisdiction on lakes having public access, and (3) results of past requests which have been 339 339 u _ 32N17w SM -- \ FIGURE 6. Scale \"=26Miles w ,:::.. o PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS RESERVED' • 1964 -1965 J FIGURE A • 1959 -1964 I ,I I I I __1!N¥2E - - -- - J8-fCJ8-eC 6S 7 SE5E 6E SEBE 9E • -• .• • 20N 4W 3W 2W lW' 1E 2E 3E 4E -• • aWlllOW • 19N ..-.-• ,. . - • ...... -._.••.•.. h • • .. ••. -. • • •• . .·4 -.. WASldLA • • -. •• • 17N .• ··A·-A ••- . .• • • • • • -:..,\ - • • • • - FIGURE A.A . 16N - - • MATANUSKA ST UDY AREA LAK ES •... lSN CONTAINING PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS -. Ma rch ,1965 14N seA L E 1'~ 12 MIL E 5 ANCHORAGE submitted to land agencies for access sites since the inception of the Public Access Investigation Project in 1959. The study area consisted of 45 townships bounded approxi mately by Point MacKenzie to the south, north to Willow, east to the Matanuska Glacier and south and west to Anchorage (Figure A) . Surface area on lakes surveyed by Sport Fish biologists was obtained from Fish and Game records. Surface area of unsurveyed lakes was determined by using an average of five readings of a modified acreage grid over 1:63,360 scale U.S.G.S. maps. Lakes with a surface area of less than 10 acres were not included in this study. The ability of lakes to sustain populations of game fish was determined from ADF&G catalog and inventory records. Lakes not inventoried were arbitrarily judged by information received from persons familiar with the area and from detailed maps and aerial photographs. Lakes known or appearing to be shallow, or otherwise unsuited for fish, were designated marginal for the purpose of this study. Detailed investigations may indicate that some of these lakes could maintain fish populations. Status of the land adjoining the lakes was determined from public records at the State Division of Lands and Bureau of Land Management offices in Anchorage. Lakes were considered to be public if there was state or federal land adjoining the water, and private if the shore was completely taken up with private land entries. Land ownership by church, youth or fraternal groups was considered private. The private status applies to the land access and does not consider legal entry by aircraft upon the water surface which is under state jurisdiction. Land status was investigated on 262 lakes within the study area (Table 8). One hundred eighty-two had public land adjoining, but 81 of these lakes were marginal as fisheries; the other 80 lakes were in the hands of private owners with 30 of the private lakes considered marginal. Public Lakes Suitable as Fisheries: 1. 1. Classified Land - Fifteen lakes containing 5,643 surface acres of water had sites classified which would guarantee access to the public (Table 9). Classification was either Public Recreation or Reserve-Use with public access the intended use. The State Division of Lands has classified 10 of the waters and the BLM has retained classification over the remaining five. State and Federal campgrounds are included within this classification. 342 342 2. 2. Reserve-Use Application - Reserve-Use applications were filed by the Division of Lands for sites on 46 lakes which would furnish 6,413 acres of angling waters (Table 10). 3. 3. Land Not Classified or Applied For - Fifteen lakes containing 1,641 acres had land available but currently unclassified or reserved, due primarily to the transfer of land from Federal to State (Table 11). Applications will be filed when the State receives jurisdiction of the land. The lakes are open to the public because of the State land available. 4. 4. Sites Under Study - Recommendations for access sites on 25 lakes containing 1,811 surface acres are pending further study of site size and location. TABLE 8. - Land Jurisdiction of Lakes in the Matanuska Study Area, March 1965 Number Surface of Lakes Acres Public Waters Access and recreation sites classified (Table 9) 15 5,643 Access sites recommended and applica tions for Reserve-Use filed (Table 10) 46 6,413 Access sites recommended but unclassi fied or reserved (Table 11) 15 1,641 Access sites to be recommended recommended (Table 11) 11) 25 1,811 Marginal 81 7,264 TOTAL 182 22,772 Private Waters Campgrounds open to public 2 639 Legal access through granted right-of way (Table 12) 14 772 Lakes closed to the public (Table 13) 34 2,193 Marginal 30 923 TOTAL 80 4,527 343 343 TABLE 9. - State and Federal Recreation and Reserve-Use Classifications on Lakes in the Matanuska Valley Study Area, March 1965 Surface Lake Acres Location Land Order Lost Lake 130 Sec. 4, T14N, R4W, SM ADL cl 242 Twin Island Lake 175 Sec. 9, T14N, R4W, SM ADL cl 242 Stepan Lake 51 Sec. 16, T17N, R3W, SM ADL cl 110 Rocky Lake 50 Sec. 21 p 1'17N, R3W, SM ADL cl 112* Frog Lake 60 Sec. 36, T18N, R3W, SM ADL cl 34 Luci Lake 137 Sec. 36, T18N, R3W, SM ADL cl 34 Cheri Lake 77 Sec. 36, T18N, R3W, SM ADL cl 34 Big Lake 3,200 T17N, R 3&4W, SM ADL cl 15,63* Long Lake 237 Sec. 20, T20N, R7E, SM ADL cl 273 Nancy Lake 807 Sec. 3, T18N, R4W, SM ADL cl 149* Finger Lake 378 Sec. 34, T18N, RIE, SM BLM PLO 735 Beach Lake 100 Sec. 12, T15N, R2W, SM BLM PLO 891 Upper Fire Lake 30 Sec. 30, T15N, RIW, SM BLM PLO 3365 Caladoceran Lake 45 Sec. 36, T19N, R5W, SM BLM cl 149 Rainbow Lake 166 Sec. 36, T19N, R5W, SM BLM cl 149 TOTAL 5,643 * Maintained campground 344 344 I I TABLE 10. - Reserve-Use Applications on Lakes in the Matanuska Valley I Study Area, March 1965 Surface Year of I Lake Acres Location Request ADL No. Anne. Lake 105 Sec. 22, T16N, R4W, SM 1965 26706 I Sevenmi1e Lake 160 Sec. 23, T16N, R4W, SM 1965 26703 Stephan Lake 313 Sec. 14, T16N, R4W, SM 1965 26702 Kickup Lake 130 Sec. 32, T16N, R4W, SM 1959 26368 I Jim Lake 153 Sec. 16, T17N, R3E, SM 1964 26320 Swan Lake 370 Sec. 33, T17N, R3E, SM 1964 26319 West Horseshoe Lake 125 Sec. 11, T17N, R4W, SM 1959 26587 I Horseshoe Lake #1 390 Sec. 13, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 26359 Horseshoe Lake #7&14 100 Sec. 14, T17N, R4W, SM 1959 26360 West Papoose Lake 192 Sec. 30, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 26705 I Horseshoe Lake #2 50 Sec. 13, T17N, R4W, SM 1959 26359 Butterfly Lake 320 Sec. 1, T17N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 De1yndia Lake 285 Sec. 2, T17N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 I Hock Lake 75 Sec. 33, T17N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 Cow Lake 204 Sec. 9, T17N, R5W, SM 1963 26323 Bench Lake 38 Sec. 8, T18N,T1SN, R2W, SM 1965 26704 I Beverly-Baptist Lake 183lS3 Sec. 36, T18N, R2W, SM 1961 26364 Lake Bruce 30 Sec. 36, T18N,T1SN, R2W, SM 1961 26362 Meadow Lake #15 90 Sec. 22, T18N, R2W, SM 1961 26363 I Lone Lake 64 Sec. 16, T18N, R3W, SM 1959 26357 Owl Lake 60 Sec. 19, T18N,T1SN, R4W, SM 1963 26325 Frazer Lake 20 Sec. 17, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26372 I Charr Lake 40 Sec. 18, T18N, R4W, SM 1963 26322 Job Lake 350 Sec. 19, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26355 Buckley Lake #1 110 Sec. 31, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26354 I Buckley Lake #2 95 Sec. 32, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26353 Milo Lake #2 60 Sec. 7, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26352 Milo Lake #3 65 Sec. 7, T18N, R4W, SM 1959 26351 I Red Shirt Lake 777 Sec. 15-33, T18N, R5W, SM 1965 26698 Lake James 110 Sec. 24, T18N, R5W, SM 1963 26324 Big No Luck Lake 90 Sec. 13, T18N, R5W, SM 1963 26301 I South Rolly Lake 110 Sec. 11, T18N, R5W, SM 1963 26300 Chicken Lake 140 Sec. 13, T18N,T1SN, R5W, SM 1963 26290 Little No Luck Lake 38 Sec. 13, T18N, R5W, SM 1963 26284 I Rhien Lake 90 Sec. 1, T18N, R5W, SM 1959 26350 North Rolly Lake 100 Sec. 2, T18N, R5W, SM 1963 26299 Milo Lake 110 Sec. 12, T18N, R5W, SM 1959 26358 I Twelvemile Lake 51 Sec. 6, T19N, R2W, SM 1965 26701 Honeybee Lake 83 Sec. 29, T19N, R4W, SM 1965 26587 Windy Lake 51 Sec. 36, T19N, R4W, SM 1959 26587 I Lucky Lake 18 Sec. 31, T19N, R4W, SM 1963 26291 John Lake 43 Sec. 24, T19N, R5W, SM 1963 26321 Florence Lake 77 Sec. 23, T19N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 I Crystal Lake 130 Sec. 25, T19N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 Marlow Lake 122 Sec. 26, T19N, R5W, SM 1959 26587 Seventeenmile Lake 96 Sec. 20, T19N, R3E, SM 1961 26346 I TOTAL 6,413 I 345345 I I I TABLETABLE 11.11. -- LakesLakes inin thethe MatanuskaMatanuska ValleyValley StudyStudy AreaArea withwith NoNo AccessAccess Sites,Sites, MarchMarch 19651965 I SurfaceSurface Recom-Recom- SiteSite toto bebe Lakee AcresAcres LocationLocation mendedmended RecommendedRecommended I Un-namedUn-named 30 Sec. 16, T14N, R4W, SM x Un-named 40 Sec. 17, T14N, R4W, SM x Lorraine 102 Sec. 23, T14N, R4W, SM x I Brashaw 55 Sec. 35, T15N, R4W, SM x Threemile 130 Sec. 3, T16N, R3W, SM x Marion 124 Sec. 1, T16N, R4W, SM x I Diamond 180 Sec. 5, T16N, R4W, SM 1959 Jewel 100 Sec. 28, T16N, R4W, SM x Black 12 Sec. 77, , T17N, RIE, SM x I Long * 105 Sec. 13, T17N, R1E,RIE, SM 1965 Blodgett 64 Sec. 8 , T17N, R2W, SM 1957 West Beaver 100 Sec. 4, T17N, R3W, SM 1965 I Twin 60 Sec. 11, T17N, R3W, SM x Long 40 Sec. 11, T17N, R3W, SM x Horseshoe #5 125 Sec. 10, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 I Mud 60 Sec. 27, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 Flat 290 Sec. 27, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 East Papoose 179 Sec. 30, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 I Finger 211 Sec. 32, T17N, R4W, SM 1959 Un-named 60 Sec. 33, T17N, R4W, SM x Un-named 70 Sec. 33, T17N, R4W, SM x I Never-Never (Duck) 28 Sec. 34, T17N, R4W, SM 1965 Wolf 61 Sec. 16, T18N, RlE, SM 1965 Prator 93 Sec. 25, T18N, R3W, SM x I Morvro 93 Sec. 35, T18N, R3W, SM 1954 willow 106 Sec. 8 , T19N, R4W, SM x Stevens 102 Sec. 16, T19N, R4W, SM x I Broom 12 Sec. 15, T19N, R4W, SM 1959 Ruth 38 Sec. 16, T19N, R4W, SM x Un-named 40 Sec. 18, T19N, R4W, SM x I Carry-Gene 55 Sec. 19, T19N, R4W, SM x Lynx 103 Sec. 26, T19N, R4W, SM 1965 Kelly 30 Sec. 28, T19N, R4W, SM 1965 I Upper Rhein 60 Sec. 31, T19N, R4W, SM x Un-named 35 Sec. 31, T19N, R4W, SM x Ravine 18 Sec. 24, T20N, R6E, SM x I Rush 245 Sec. 13, T20N, R6E, SM x Buck 23 Sec. 15, T20N, R7E, SM x Upper Bonnie 123 Sec. 19, T20N, R7E, SM x 1 PinochlePinochle LakeLake ** 5050 Sec.Sec. 23,23, T20N,T20N, R9E,R9E, SM SM xx * * AlsoAlso grantedgranted R.O.W. R.O.W. I ** PublicPublic Domain Domain ** I I 346 346 I I I I Private Waters Suitable for Fisheries: I Fifty-two lakes within the study area had all available shoreline taken up with private entries. Public access to 14 of the lakes was obtained by Sport Fish Division biologist I negotiations with private landowners for grants of right-of way (Table 12). The access routes were granted for no monetary compensation but only for the chance of an improved I fishery because of inclusion into the State Fish Research and Management Program. A right-of-way granted to Jacobson Lake in 1960 was relinquished in 1964 because the lake was not I suitable for management. A right-of-way to Long Lake was obtained across private land because the existing public land was surrounded by private entries and inaccessible to the I public. I TABLE 12. - Access Obtained by Grants of Right-of-Way by Private Landowners, Matanuska Study Area, March 1965 I ADL or Recording Lake Acres Location Number I Long * 105 Sec. 13, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 266 Canoe 19 Sec. 13, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 250 Irene 21 Sec. 13, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 250 I Bradley 13 Sec. 13, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 301 Echo 23 Sec. 24, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 301 Keppler 45 Sec. 24, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 301 Triangle 15 Sec. 24, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 68 Klaire 10 Sec. 13, T17N, RIE, SM OSL 68 Gooding 40 Sec. 27, T18N, RIE, SM OSL 259 Lucile 370 Sec. 10, T17N, RIW, SM OSL 251 Knik 45 Sec. 24, T16N, R3W, SM Wasilla Recorder Book 17, Page 68 Meirs 16 Sec. 18, T17N, R2E, SM Palmer Recorder Book 29, Page 246 Lower Fire 30 Sec. 36, T15N, R2W, SM ADL 18694 Falk R2E, Falk Lake --20 Sec. 23, T17N, R2E, SM Not recorded TOTAL 772 * Also has State land Access to Cottonwood and Wasilla Lakes 1S available through privately owned and maintained campgrounds. A nominal fee is occasionally charged for boat launching and camping. Thirty-four lakes containing 2,193 acres were found to have no type of legal public access (Table 13). Negotiations for right-of-way grants are under wayan the more desirable lakes. Land on some lakes may become available to the State through 347347 I I relinquishment or foreclosure. In such cases the waters will be evaluated as to public access requirements. I TABLE 13. - Lakes in the Matanuska Study Area Closed to Public I Access Due to Private Land Entries, March 1965 Surface I Lake Acres Location Bairds 28 Sec. 12, T17N, RIE, SM I High Ridge 35 Sec. 12, T17N, RIE, SM Rainbow 50 Sec. 3, T17N, R2W, SM Un-named 30 Sec. 7, T17N, R2W, SM I Cleo 25 Sec. 24, T15N, R2W, SM Clunie * 102 Sec. 34, T15N, R2W, SM Walden * 38 Sec. 33, T15N, R2W, SM I Gonder 10 Sec. 6, T16N, R3W, SM Raga #1 50 Sec. 28, T16N, R4W, SM Un-named 10 Sec. 15, T17N, RIE, SM I Matanuska 65 Sec. 23, T17N, RIE, SM Wallace 58 Sec. 11, T17N, R2W, SM Clover (Jack) 50 Sec. 8, T17N, R3W, SM I Oscar 95 Sec. 33, T17N, R3W, SM Reid 26 Sec. 8, T18N, RIE, SM Niklason 45 Sec. 21, T18N, RIE, SM I Dry Lakes 40 Sec. 29, T18N, RIE, SM Anderson 84 Sec. 30, T18N, RIE, SM Kings 210 Sec. 30, T18N, RIE, SM I Cornelius 42 Sec. 22, T18N, RIE, SM Memory 90 Sec. 22, T18N, RIW, SM Paradise 25 Sec. 25, T18N, RIW, SM I Visnau 170 Sec. 29, T18N, R2W, SM Patricia 60 Sec. 26, T18N, R3W, SM Jack 45 Sec. 20, T19N, R4W, SM I Long 218 Sec. 24, T19N, R5W, SM Thirtymile (Ida) 40 Sec. 5, T19N, R5E, SM Fish 59 Sec. 33, T20N, R5E, SM I Drill 36 Sec. 26, T20N, R5E, SM Index 39 Sec. 23, T20N, R8E, SM Shallow 28 Sec. 23, T20N, R8E, SM I One-Hundred Mile 30 Sec. 20, T20N, R9E, SM Johnson 35 Sec. 14, T17N, RIE, SM Seymore 225 Sec. 32, T18N, R2W, SM I TOTAL 2,193 * Located on Military Reservation, access available with I permission I I I 348 348 I I I Marginal Waters: I Eighty-one public lakes comprising 7,264 acres and 30 private lakes containing 923 acres of water were considered marginal or unsuitable for fisheries. Data gathered from I research in progress may indicate that some marginal waters may successfully sustain fish populations. I Marginal waters which furnish space for water recreation other than fishing may take use pressure off lakes with successful fisheries. Lake Eklutna, containing 3,520 surface I acres, accounted for almost half of the public unproductive water within the study area. The proposed BLM recreation complex at Eklutna Lake will probably attract many boaters due I to its proximity to Anchorage. I DISCUSSION One hundred-seventeen lakes furnish 16,919 surface acres of water to the angler through various forms of land access. I Thirty of these lakes, totaling 6,607 acres of water are accessible to the fishermen by State primary or secondary roads or by granted right-of-way within 100 road miles of I Anchorage. Many lakes are also reached by anglers over private roads with permission or by trespass. The large number of private and charter airplanes also furnish a means to reach I lakes devoid of road access. Investigations indicate that no lakes were closed to public access if land was available for the State Division of Lands to select. To date, planning and subsequent disposal has, without exception, provided for public access to the lakes. As a result of the recent Presidential Scenic Road and Natural Parkways Study, the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Bureau of Public Roads and State and local agencies, requested the Alaska Department of Highways to submit a route report. This was to be a preliminary report i icating both existing and proposed routes and what routes or portions thereof could be considered as scenic routes or parkways. Due to limited time and lack of projected routing, minimal roadside sport fishing access requirements and needs could not be more accurately ascertained for inclusion in the Highway report. From the generalized routes depicted by the Alaska Department of Highways on topographic maps, sport fisheries believed to be in the vicinity of and to be affected by a future road extension program of this nature were outlined as to general location and the probable access development needs. Two broad areas were covered in the Alaska Department of Highways report to the Secretary of Commerce, (1) the broad contention 349349 I I that the present Alaskan Federal Aid Highway system could be considered a scenic road in its entirety and (2) nominated I 20 additional but proposed future highway routes as falling within the broad concept of the Presidential program. I Survey of waters to be involved in a scenic highway system over depicted routes indicated that more than 17 lakes and 19 major rivers and streams can be considered for suitable I access requirements (Table 14). Extension of land selection activity along the north I coastal strip of Kenai Peninsula necessitated investigating the existing lake and stream fisheries for future access site requirements. In an exchange of land between the Department I of Interior and Alaska for purposes of consolidating the boundaries of the Kenai National Moose Range, the Department of Natural Resources applied for a strip of land between I Swanson River and Point Possession. six tracts of land totaling 52 acres were found to be required for access along this strip and a letter requesting that these tracts be reserved was sub I mitted to Alaska Division of Lands. They are listed in Table 15 as exchange lands. In addition, Table 15 lists 24 tracts, formerly withdrawn and recently restored for State selection, that are requested for reservation. I Under the provisions of the Federal Aid to Highways Act, I nine projects were studied and recommendations were forwarded to Alaska Department of Highways on two highway projects planned for Fiscal Year 1965 through 1967. Parking turnouts were I recommended for providing a developed angler-access on Palmer Slough, Matanuska and Bradley Lakes [FAP 042-1(7)], and the Alaska Department of Highways was requested to retain State I title to two 700-foot portions of the existing Willow Creek Highway following proposed route realignment [FAS-0580(4)]. Loss of the existing sections of road would isolate the trails I that provide the only access to the canyon of Willow Creek. The construction of an access road leading to the Knik River from the new bridge crossing site was requested for future use as a I river-boat launching site. The Department of Highways has com pleted the preliminary plans on each of the sites requested. I Final approval as to exact location and the extent of development has not yet been made. I Eastern Copper River Meridian This is a 24-million-acre island-mainland complex with an economy chiefly based on commercial fishing and forestry. This I region is entirely within the Copper River Meridian and extends from Township 19 South to 83 South and Ranges 26 East to 101 I East. Land jurisdiction rests primarily with the U. S. Forest Service. Approximately 15 million acres are within North and South Tongass National Forests, 2.3 million acres are under 1 I 350 350 , ------ LV U1 ~ .... FIGURE 7. \ PUIlI C ACCESS AREAS \ I \ • RESERVED 1964 - 1965 \ • I '-- '-'~. -, o UNRES ERVED 1964 - 1965 Scale 1"= 34 Miles TABLE 14. - Minimum Sport Fishery Site Requirements on Proposed Scenic Highway and Parkway Routes Auto Parking Boat Stream Route Turnoff Launching Bank ROW Number Route Course Sport Fishery Site Ramp Site Reservation 1 Livengood to Central Preacher Creek x Beaver Creek x Hess Creek x x 2 Central to Eagle Medicine Lake x x Birch Creek x x x Charley River x x x Michigan Creek x x x Washington Creek x x 3 Central to Chena Birch Creek x x x Hot Springs 4 Tofty to Rampart Minook Creek x W 5 Lignite, Kantistna S. F. Kuskokwim x x lJ1 N to McGrath E. F. Kuskokwim x x Farewell Lake x x 7 McGrath to Sunshine Puntilla Lake x x (via Rainy Pass) Yentna River x x Lake Creek x x x Kahiltna River x x Peters Creek x x Deshka River x x x 8 Denali to Eureka Little Lake Louise x x (via Lake Louise) Moore Lake Creek x x Tyone River x x Laird Lake x x 9 McCarthy via White Railroad Lake 1 & 2 x :x :x River to Alaska Silver (Van) Lake x x x Highway Knutson Lake x x x Long Lake x x x Finger Lake (ROW (ROW dedication of trail from McCarthy-Bremner Road to lake) ------ TABLE 14. (Cont.) - Minimum Sport Fishery Site Requirements on Proposed Scenic Highway and Parkway Routes Auto Parking Boat Stream Route Turnoff Launching Bank ROW Number Route Course Sport Fishery Site Ramp Site Reservation White Lake Trail ROW dedication Ptarmigan Lake Trail ROW dedication 13 Cordova via Martin Lake x x Katalla to Little Martin Lake x x Malaspina Glacier Katalla River x x w U1 W TABLE 15. - Kenai Access Sites Requested on Exchange-Lands and Tracts for ADL Classification on Former Withdrawn and Public Service and Recreation Sites State Selected Acreage Figure Figure Exchange Restored Reserve Number Number Fishery Lands (PLO) Lands 7 Boden Lake 10 7 Rusty Creek 10 7 Otter Creek 10 7 Ingemar Creek 2 7 Miller Creek 10 7 Finn Creek 10 7 Killey River-Kenai River 5 7 Kenai Ri v(~r 5 (Approximate) 7 Funny River 2 7 Crooked Creek 10 (Approximate) 7 Encelewskis Lake 10 7 Cook Inlet Clam Beaches (19 tidal and upland lots) TABLE 16. - State Upland and Tidelands Classified for Public Recreation and Access Access on/or to General Upland Named Fishery Location Tidelands Acreage Eagle River Juneau x 2.97 Amalca Bay Juneau .76 Gastineau Channel Juneau 3.61 Frederick Sound Petersburg x Wrangell Narrows Petersburg 584.87 Falls Creek Petersburg 8.24 Wrangell Narrows Petersburg 435.62 Wrangell Narrows Petersburg 23.62 Chilkoot River Haines x Chilkoot Inlet Haines x 7.42 Chilkat Inlet Haines x Little Gustavus Creek Gustavus x W. F. Salmon River Gustavus x Icy Strait Gustavus x Salmon River Gustavus 14.23 Mosquito Lake Klukwan 4.58 Halibut Creek Sitka 21.91 Sitka Sound Sitka x 1.10 Cascade Creek Sitka x Trollers Creek Ketchikan x Tongass Narrows Ketchikan x Ward Cove and Creek Ketchikan x Whipple Creek Ketchikan x Refuge Cove Ketchikan x 354 direct jurisdiction of various agencies of the U. S. Department of the Interior, 0.4 million acres fall under State land selection, and there are other municipalities and assorted small reserves of various types. Principal effort was made in this area during this report segment on inventory of sport fisheries that would be affected should state land selection be extended or necessary legislation passed to clearly facilitate transfer of patent from State to Borough. Meetings were held with each of the district Sport Fish personnel and those sport fisheries known to be important to the region's sport fishermen were listed, together with known or estimated angler effort and harvest figures. The status of lands adjacent to fisheries on which the ADL has been requested to reserve sites was checked periodically for any land changes requiring immediate action. Five hundred seventy-seven fisheries have been evaluated and minimal access requirements (consisting of boat launching areas, right-of-way and/or float-plane beaching zones) outlined were required for each fishery. Results of this effort are locational and sport fishery data necessary for future access effort on 256 lakes, 163 rivers and streams and 58 saltwater fisheries. Thirty-one tracts totaling 1,108.94 acres are now classified I as State pUblic recreation and provide access to 12 streams and one lake fishery. Fifteen tracts of tidelands provide for I access to saltwater fisheries (Table 16). Under provisions and requirements of the Presidential Scenic Route and National Parkways Program and as a result of I the Alaska Department of Highways' new route proposals in this region, roads traversed were checked as to the nature and existence of adjacent sport fisheries. Route No. 15, Wrangell I to Stikine River, holds no current access problem as the entire route to the Canadian Border via Stikine River Valley would be within the Tongass National Forest lands. Survey of Route No. I 16, the Glacier Bay via Gustavus from marine highway terminal at the head of William Henry Bay, indicated no future access problems will be encountered should this route be constructed. I This route is located either in National Monument or National Forests lands with the exception of the immediate vicinity of I Gustavus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I The following agencies rendered service and cooperation during the report period: I I 355355 r I I Alaska Department of Fish and Game personnel throughout the State. I Alaska Department of Natural Resources personnel from all divisions. I Alaska Department of Highways. u. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, I personnel of state, regional and district offices. The various military commands throughout Alaska. I The Chairman and members of Matanuska-Susitna and Kenai Borough Boards. I Prepared by: Approved by: I Jay L. Bergstrand sl Louis S. Bandirola Fishery Biologist D-J Coordinator I Job Leader: I Edward J. Cramer Fishery Biologist I Date: May 1, 1965 sl Alex H. McRea, Director Sport Fish Division I I I I , I I I I I 356 356 I