What are the rules?

Regulations are designed to protect the natu­ ral, scenic, and wildlife values in the public interest, and to enhance public safety and enjoyment. A general summary of a portion of the Refuge 66SC-39V3 (2,06) XV3 'I<30Z,"S9S (2.06) auoqq regulations follows. For additional details contact: 69966 BqsBjy Tu4opjoS Refuge Manager, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, 6GI3 xo8 P.O. Box 2139, Soldotna, Alaska, 99669-2139. aSnjayj ajqpjJAV puc^Btq iBuayj Hunting and Fishing -Permitted in accor­ H3DVNVW 3Dfl33H 3HX LDVLNOD dance with State and Federal regulations. NOIXVWH03NI 3HCM H03 Firearms may not be discharged within 'A mile of campgrounds, trailheads, buildings, or road­ ways, as well as in the Skilak Wildlife Recre­ ation Area and at the Refuge Visitor Center Complex. The discharge of firearms is permit­ ted only in pursuit of game during respective seasons. Target shooting and fireworks are prohibited. Trapping -Permitted in accordance with State •arnrru aq4 and Federal regulations. A free trapping permit, ui puB AVOU - sareig pauurj ja:naq v. 04 U0]4nqu4uoo trapper orientation training, and furbearer harvest my sat aqBui JJIA\ qoBa os saaanosaa ano {re SUJSBUBUI JO report are required by the State. aaioqa 4sasiA\ aq4 aanssB 04 sqaoM 4uaui4JBdaQ aqx Camping -Camping is permitted in designated •saaanosayq campgrounds along the Refuge road system. Camp­ ing is restricted to 2 consecutive days at Kenai- [Ban4Bjvl jo 4uam4JBdaQ _ s Bai-iainy jo suaaauoo Russian River Access Area, 7 consecutive days at jofeui aaq40 OJB SJIBJJB [Bi.1041.uax pun uBtpuj saamosaj the following campgrounds: Hidden Lake, Upper |Buoj4Baaaaj puB 'qjBd 'puBj 'puauim 'ajijpjiM 'qsjj 'J34BA\ Skilak, Lower Skilak, and Jim's Landing, and 14 con­ JOJ sai4ijiqisuodsaj aisBq sBq aoiaa4uj aq4,Jo 4uaui4JBda(q secutive days in other campgrounds. Camping may aq4 'Aaua§B uoj4BAaasuoa jBdiauiad s uoj4Bj\i aq4 sy not exceed 14 days in a 30-day period. Backcountry Camping -Backcountry camp­ ing is permitted l/t mile back from refuge roads and trailheads. Swan Lake and Swanson River Canoe Route users must register at the trailhead and group size is limited to a total of 15 people. Pets -Must be under the direct control of their owners or handlers. Pets in campgrounds must be on a leash no longer than 9 feet. Personal Property -Unattended personal property must be removed within 72 hours and must have the owner's name and address perma­ nently affixed. Aircraft Use: - • Landing on designated lakes and rivers is per­ mitted. Landing within the canoe system or 3DIAR3S 33na3IA\ CINV HSI3 campground/roadside lakes and those associ­ HOIH3XNI 3HX 30 XN3f\UHVd3C[ ated with hiking trails is prohibited. S3XVXS dSXINfl • Detailed aircraft regulations and maps are available at Refuge Headquarters. See cur­ rent FAA aeronautical charts.

Boating -Permitted on all waters of the Refuge. • Motorized watercraft are not permitted within the canoe system lakes, or on portions of the Kenai River. KENAI • Many of the Refuge lakes and waterways have "no wake," "float only," and/or horse­ power limitations. Detailed boating regula­ National tions are available at Refuge Headquarters. Motorized Vehicles -Must be licensed to Wildlife Refuge travel public roads and are prohibited off estab­ lished, maintained roads. Snowmobiles may be per­ mitted by the Refuge Manager only in designated areas from December through April and provided snow depth is sufficient to protect underlying vegetation. Non-Motorized Vehicles -Use of non-motorized wheeled vehicles (e.g. - bicycles, wheelbarrows, canoe carriers, etc.) is permitted only on refuge roads designated for public vehicular access. Firewood -Cutting of trees for campfires on Refuge lands is restricted to dead and down timber The cutting of other timber is authorized by permit only by the Refuge Manager. Fires -In campgrounds, open fires are permit­ ted only in Refuge-provided grates or portable, self- contained, metal fire grills. Peat moss beds allow fires to creep underground and are especially haz­ ardous: Build fires in the backcountry on bare min­ eral soil, make sure every spark of your fire is extin­ guished, and restore the fire area, so no fire scar or trace remains. Permits are not necessary to build campfires; however, fires must be attended at all times. In times of extreme fire danger, fires will not be permitted. BE CAREFUL OF FIRE! Garbage -Must be placed in trash receptacles. If containers are not available, personal garbage must be taken out of the Refuge. Wilderness Uses -Use of motorized equipment including, but not limited to chainsaws, generators, and auxiliary power units, is not permitted within the Kenai Wilderness. Snowmobiles, airplanes, and motorboats are permitted in designated areas only. Plant Use -Refuge plants are protected. Har­ vest of wild berries and mushrooms is permitted for personal use only. Commercial and/or Non-conforming Activ­ ities -Cabin construction, peat removal, grazing, and commercial activities or other similar pursuits without a Special Use Permit are prohibited. Many beautiful small lakes can be reached through Sport Fishing-The Kenai River and Russian River are Wildlife: The Promise of Wilderness our canoe system. Two routes have been established; the ideal locations for the fisherman to try lor silver, king, or Swanson River Route and Swan Lake Route. Self- red salmon. King and red salmon inns begin at the end The living and non-living resources of the Kenai service registration is required at the trailhead and of |une and run through July; silver runs occur in August National Wildlile Refuge combine to form a diverse and group size is limited to 15 persons or less. Canoe rentals and September. Pink salmon rim even year in August, complex ecosystem. Each wildlife species occupies an are available locally. More detailed maps and informa­ but are more numerous during even-numbered years. important "niche within the living system. From tidal tion can be obtained from the refuge headquarters. King salmon are the largest salmon, weighing an marsh to the alpine ridge, various natural habitats of the A table indicating trail location, distance, and average of 23 pounds and occasionally attain 80 pounds. Kenai National Wildlife Refuge support a wide variety degree of dilfieultv, is located on the reverse of this bro­ Silver salmon (coho) average 24 inches and weigh about of wildlife including moose, Dall sheep, mountain goat, chure and is keyed to the refuge map. 9 pounds. Soekeve salmon (red), weighing about 7 caribou, coyotes, wolves, brown/grizzly bear, black bear, pounds, are abundant and provide excellent sport trumpeter swans, lynx, wolverine, beaver, many other fishing opportunities where they can be caught in small mammals, and 146 species of resident and migra­ clear water. tory birds. In addition, it is vital spawning ground lor 4 Other freshwater fish to be found in lakes and species of Pacific salmon as well as many resident fish. streams are rainbow trout, arctic char, Dolly Varden char, lake trout, steelhead, kokanee, and grayling. The Dolly Varden char is the most abundant and may be caught in most rivers and many lakes. Below is a list of roadside lakes and the species of fish which may be found in them.

c Moose - The outstanding wildlife species for which the 03 O JO E refuge was originally named is the moose. Moose are the (A c c o 3 3 • c O c o O C CO c 03 en en o E o E CO largest antlered deer on earth with the bulls sometimes o o -a 3 TJ 03 E E CO JO 03 03 CO E CO S CO 01 CO CO en 03 O O o 03 _> < en CO o c reaching 1,400 pounds. Calves are born in late May and Name of Lake en en j= > c 0) E J3 3= c e/j O) 03 en >. o CD o JO 3 03 C 03 ">. CO CO Q. > -30 CD c jd [nne and it is common to see cows with calves feeding in B •o c 33 03 O o JO 3 03 CO CO o c7i 0. 00 _! -1 0 en V) • k c o rr a < o JO: the woods or swampy areas near the roads during the Sterling Highway summer months. The bull moose can be dangerous Kenai River * * * * * * * * during the fall and a cow moose with young is very pro­ Jean Lake 140 75 * * * * Upper Jean Lake 50 50 * * * tective. It is wise to be cautious in their presence. Kelly Lake 70 45 * * Petersen Lake 95 50 * * Wolves and Other Mammals - Wolves are found E. Fork Moose R. * * * throughout the refuge but observers often must be con­ Watson Lake 75 16 * * Moose River * * * * * * tent with hearing their howls or seeing their telltale Tustumena Lake 72M 900 * * * * * tracks. Mink, otter, beaver, snowshoe hare, weasel, coy­ Skilak Loop Road ote, lynx, wolverine, muskrat, and squirrel also inhabit Hidden Lake 1920 145 * * * * * * the refuge. Look for beaver lodges and their tree cut­ How Do I Get There? Rock Lake 20 17 * tings along streams and in baekcountry lakes. Lower Ohmer Lake 150 94 * KENAI Travelers to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are Skilak Lake 24M ? * * * X * X treated to a panoramic drive of 110 miles from Anchor­ Engineer Lake 240 19 * * X Waterfowl - The Chickaloon Flats on Turnagain Arm is Bottinentnin Lake 280 9 age to the refuge, passing through rugged narrow vallevs a popular stopover for many different species of ducks National and along turquoise-colored lakes and rivers. The north­ Swanson River Rd. and geese during their spring and fall migration. Some ern refuge boundary is 20 air miles from Anchorage. Sunken Is. Lake 140 55 * * of the nesting waterfowl commonly seen are green-wing Mosquito Lake 64 43 Airports are located at Kenai, Soldotna, and Homer. * * teal, pintail, Barrow's golden-eve mallard, greater scaup, Silver Lake 153 40 Wildlife Refuge * * * harlequin duck, American widgeon and shovelers. Many Travelers wishing to visit the Refuge Headquarters Finger Lakes 550 100 * and Visitor Center should proceed south through Sol­ Forest Lakes 141 ? * lakes have a pair of loons in residence during the sum­ The People and The Land dotna and turn left after crossing the Kenai River Weed Lake 6 36 * mer months. Breeze Lake 23 30 Bridge. Immediately after turning left follow the signs Boating - Boating is permitted on all waters of the * The graceful trumpeter swan was once considered Dolly Varden Lake 255 100 * * to the Headquarters. near extinction, but under protection, has increased in The Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska is an Kenai NWR. Boats or canoes with motors are not per­ Rainbow Lake 165 25 * area where visitors, residents, and wildlife have come mitted within the canoe system's lakes, and horsepower Swanson River * * * * numbers throughout the United States. Many pair of face-to-face historically and increasingly in recent years. What Should I Wear? restrictions are in effect for most of the refuge waters. swans use isolated lakes on the refuge to nest and rear Swan Lake Road their young cygnets. In the past as well as the present, it has been home for Most of the improved facilities have boat access and Fish Lake 75 50 * both wildlife and man. In the future, both must share a Summer high temperatures range from the 60s to parking areas for cars and trailers. EXTREME CAU­ Canoe Lake 131 30 * * * * * common destiny. the 70s and during the winter the low temperature is TION IS RECOMMENDED DUE TO SUDDEN Merganser Lake 53 55 * * This diverse area is made up of lowland spruce/ about 30° below zero. The first snow falls in October and SEVERE WINDS AND THE GRAVE DANGER OF Portage Lakes 29 43 Dall Sheep and Mountain Goat - Dall sheep live in the Paddle Lake 105 40 * * X birch forests mirrored in hundreds of lakes. The Kenai by November the ground is usually snow-covered. Late CAPSIZING IN A COLD-WATER LAKE. rugged, steep terrain of the Kenai Mountains and their Mountains with their ancient glaciers rise to 6,612 feet summer and fall weather is wet, and rain gear is always diet consists of low-growing alpine plants. Look for Dall and present an imposing barrier along the southeastern recommended for hiking and hunting. Spring breakup sheep on moutainsides in the Cooper Landing Area and boundary of the refuge. The refuge is drained by nine of ice on low lakes occurs in May and on high lakes Hunting - Hunting is permitted throughout Kenai adjacent the Sterling Highway at the eastern refuge river svstems, several of which begin at glaciers originat­ in July. Be prepared for insects. Bring headnets and NWR according to State and Federal Regulations. boundary ing from the Harding Ice Field. repellent. Hunting opportunities include waterfowl, spruce An animal similar in size and habits is the mountain The Kenaitze Indians were the first people to grouse, ptarmigan, snowshoe hare, and several species goat. Both male and female have long white hair and inhabit the scenic lake area of the Kenai National Wild­ of big game. slender black horns. life Refuge. Thev depended upon fish and wild game for food, shelter, and clothing. Photography - Photographic opportunities are good in Caribou - Once common in the area, the caribou disap­ Russian fur trappers established the first settle­ the Kenai, but photographers should realize that the peared from over-hunting and large man-caused fires ments on the Kenai Peninsula: St. George in 1786 and animals are wild and may be shv. We recommend fast that altered their habitat. Caribou were reintroduced in St. Nicholas (now Kenai) in 1791. By the mid-nineteenth film and filters (because of cloudy, low-light conditions) 1965-66 and now occupy two areas of the refuge. A low­ century demands for pelts of sea otter and other fur- and telephoto lenses (to avoid approaching wildlife land herd of approximately 80 caribou provides an out­ bearing animals had seriously depleted these animal too closely). standing opportunity to see and photograph caribou populations. Rounding out the opportunities available on the near a road. The purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867 Kenai NWR, the visitor mav fly in to remote lakes with gave rise to the salmon fishing industry. American fisher­ local air taxi operators, take horse pack trips into remote Bears - The refuge is inhabited bv both brown and black men and their canneries replaced the fur trapper, but roadless areas, or float a whitewater river through por­ bears. Kenai brown bears, or grizzlies, are relatively Russian traditions and culture are still evident in the old tions of the refuge. For information on these and other scarce, though in summer many individual bears con­ buildings, customs, and names in the area. commercial trips, contact the Chamber of Commerce in centrate around remote salmon spawning streams. Wil­ Since the early 1900s moose, Dall sheep, and other Anchorage, Kenai or Soldotna. derness travelers visiting alpine areas or salmon spawn­ wild game on the Kenai Peninsula have attracted sports­ ing streams should be aware of possible sightings. Black men from all over the world. In order to preserve and bears are common throughout the refuge, though inci­ maintain declining wildlife populations, President Roos­ dental opportunities to see them are relatively low. evelt set aside 1,730,000 acres for the Kenai National If you encounter a bear, keep your distance; don't Moose Range in 1941. run, but move slowly awav. Campers should try to mini­ In 1980 the Alaska National Interest Lands Conser­ What Is There To Do? mize food odors, store food out of a bear's reach (at least vation Act was enacted. The new Act renamed the Kenai 10 feet high) and well away from tents. Avoid camping Resident and Migratory- Birds - Spruce grouse and National Moose Range and expanded it to nearlv 2 mil­ Camping - The refuge has many baekcountry and estab­ on bear trails and along salmon spawning streams. Make ptarmigan may be observed on the refuge. Whitetailed, lion acres, including 1.35 million acres of the refuge lished recreation sites. Established sites vary from small, noise while trav eling and avoid dense thickets. rock, and willow ptarmigan inhabit the high elevations which was further protected as designated Wilderness. rustic overnight access camps to larger individual unit When you arrive at the refuge, check with the Visi- and are normally found among the high peaks and tree­ Congress directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to campgrounds with tables, fireplaces, parking spurs, boat tor Center for updated bear safety information. less areas. conserve the Kenai's fish and wildlife populations and ramp, water, and sanitary facilities. Several developed Eagles, hawks, owls, marsh and waterbirds, and habitats in their natural diversity, and to manage the area areas require visitors to pack home their own trash. numerous songbirds breed and raise their young on the for its wildlife, wilderness, scientific, high water quality, Improved recreation sites are listed on the reverse Scenic Drive - The scenic paved Sterling Highwav tra­ refuge. Bird watchers mav obtain bird lists from the ref­ and recreational values. side of this leaflet and coded to the refuge map. verses the refuge. Other interesting and beautiful sights uge headquarters. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is adminis­ Rental equipment, outfitters, hotel accommoda­ can be seen on the Swanson River Road and the Skilak Visitors to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are tered by the Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife tions, restaurants, gas, and grocery supplies are available Loop Road. The sightseer will be awed bv the mountain- encouraged to observe, explore, and learn about its Service and is one of a system of several hundred wild­ at Kenai, Soldotna, Cooper Landing, and Kasilof. top view of deep valleys, lakes, and rivers that can many wildlife species, their relationship to each other, life refuges in the United States devoted to managing Baekcountry camping opportunities vary from fly- be seen along the Skilak Loop Road. Chances to see and their relationship to their environment. and protecting wildlife and habitat. in and boat-in lake locations to locations accessible only moose, birds, and other wildlife are enhanced along Remember that the Kenai NWR is a wildlife refuge; Because of its location near Anchorage, and its by trail. lesser-used roads. a place where the needs of wildlife must come first. In incomparable scenic beauty, the Kenai NWR has Backcountrv campers are asked to use no-trace some cases, visitor use may be limited to a particular become a popular outdoor recreation area. Visitors camping techniques in all areas. Campers should build Winter Sports - Many varied winter sports are possible area or a particular time of year to minimize those activ­ come to enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camp­ fires if possible in established fire rings or use camp- on the Kenai. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snow- ities which may have a negative impact on wildlife. ing, and wildlife observation. stoves where firewood is in short supply. PACK OUT shoeing, and ice skating are some favorite pastimes. Snow­ In addition to the vital undisturbed spawning areas ALLTRASH. mobile use is allowed but restricted to designated areas. For additional information contact: that support approximately 40% of the Cook Inlet com­ Refuge Manager mercial fishing industry, the refuge also is underlain Trails - There are over 200 miles of established trails Berry Picking - Alaska is blessed with an abundant wild P.O. Box 2139 by important oil and gas resources. To insure the and routes. Thev vary from level to steep and strenuous. berry crop - lowbush and highbush cranberry, bluebe­ Soldotna, AK 99669 wilderness and wildlife resources of Kenai NWR Much of the lowland area is wet and swampy rry, black or crowberrv, and wild raspberry. Other less Telephone (907) 262-7021 are undisturbed and protected, several research and requires waterproof footwear to insure a com­ common but delectable berries are the salmonberrv and FAX (907) 262-3599 and management programs are utilized. fortable hike. nagoon berrv.