Sterling is on the middle Kenai River, about 11 miles up the Sterling Highway from Soldotna. The river here runs through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, with few homes on the banks, and it is known for sockeye, silvers and rainbow trout. Public access is at Bing's Landing, Izaak Walton and Morgan's Landing, all with camping. Our Kenai River trips meet at the Pillars Boat Launch near Kenai most days, and occasionally at Bing's Landing in Sterling, at $250 per person for a 3/4 day or $300 for a full day.
- Middle Kenai RiverSkilak Lake outlet to the Soldotna bridge
- August 8 to September 30our trout season, catch-and-release
- Jul 23–Jul 29usual sockeye peak week
- $250–$300per person, guided Kenai River trip
The middle river at Sterling
Anglers divide the Kenai into an upper, middle and lower river. The middle river runs from the Skilak Lake outlet down to the Sterling Highway bridge in Soldotna, and Sterling sits along it. Check the current ADF&G wording for the exact boundaries. The river here is a mix of long runs and gravel bars, and much of the stretch is bordered by the refuge, so the banks stay mostly wild. The Moose River enters in this reach.
It is a quieter river than the water in Soldotna. It is also the home water for rainbow trout, which feed behind the salmon all summer.
Access near Sterling
These public sites are in or near Sterling. The details are from state and tourism pages. Check with Alaska State Parks for current fees and rules.
| Site | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Bing’s Landing | State recreation site with a boat launch and a campground; first come, first served |
| Izaak Walton | State recreation site with a campground and a boat launch; the site has prehistoric house pits |
| Morgan’s Landing | State recreation area with a campground and trails to the river; one of few public bank-fishing spots on the middle river |
| Scout Lake | A stocked lake with rainbow trout and grayling |
Campgrounds can be busy in summer. Plan ahead, or stay in Soldotna and drive up.
Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden
The middle Kenai is known for big rainbow trout. They sit behind spawning salmon eating eggs, and the best of it is in the fall. Our Kenai River trout trips run August 8 to September 30, and the best fishing is mid-August to October 1. All our trout fishing is catch-and-release.
Fish are handled carefully: keep them in the water and let your guide handle the net. See our Kenai River rainbow trout fishing and how to fish for rainbow trout.
What runs past Sterling, and when
Sockeye, silvers and the king runs all swim through the middle river on their way to spawn. This is the same run timing we use for Soldotna and Kenai, since the fish are heading up past these towns.
- Our trip season
- Usual counting season
- Middle half of the run
- Peak week
- Halfway day
- Our guides' dates (no count)
- Our best dates
- Late run of a two-run count
- Closed most recent years
- Our Kenai River tripstripsMay 15 to September 30
- Kenai River sockeyecountPeak week Jul 23–Jul 29 (23% of the run); halfway Jul 23–Aug 3 in most years
- Kenai king, early runcountSeason May 15 to June 30; closed most recent years; we fish them when open
- Kenai king, late runcountClosed most recent years; we fish them when open
- Russian River sockeye, early runcountPeak week Jun 20–Jun 26 (30% of the run); halfway Jun 24–Jun 28 in most years
- Russian River sockeye, late runcountPeak week Aug 4–Aug 10 (22% of the run); halfway Aug 6–Aug 11 in most years
- Russian River silvers (coho)countPeak week Aug 27–Sep 2 (35% of the run); halfway Aug 24–Aug 31 in most years
- Kenai silvers, early runour datesAugust 1 to August 31
- Kenai silvers, late runour datesSeptember 1 to September 30
- Rainbow trout tripsour datesAugust 8 to September 30, catch-and-release; best mid-August to October 1
| Fish | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sockeye | Peak week Jul 23–Jul 29 | Fished from the bank or a boat. |
| Silvers | August 1 to August 31 (early run), September 1 to September 30 (late run) | Fall fishing. |
| Rainbow trout | August 8 to September 30; best mid-August to October 1 | Catch-and-release. |
| Kings | Early and late runs | King salmon are in trouble around the world, and Alaska hasn't been spared. Most rivers across the state are closed to kings each year as the season approaches, because returns are projected to stay low, and we don't expect that to change soon. When we can fish for kings, we do; when we can't, we target sockeye and the other species in season. |
See the full Kenai River run timing.
Fishing the middle river with us
Our Kenai River trips meet at the Pillars Boat Launch near Kenai most days, and your guide takes you from there to where the fish are. Occasionally, later in the summer and for our fall trout trips, we launch at Bing’s Landing in Sterling instead. We tell you which launch when you book. Our power boats (50 horsepower, the river limit) fish the lower and middle Kenai, and we drift-boat the upper Kenai. All Kenai River trips include rods, reels, tackle and bait or lures. You need your own Alaska sport fishing license.
If you would rather float a quiet, undeveloped river, our Kasilof River trips are full-day drift boat floats at $300 per person, much of it through the same refuge.
Sterling beyond the river
- Scout Lake: a stocked lake near Sterling. In winter we run ice fishing trips on stocked lakes; see our ice fishing guide.
- Canoe country: Sterling is the gateway to the Swanson River and Swan Lake canoe routes in the refuge.
- Services: Sterling has a few lodges, B&Bs, gas and restaurants. Soldotna, about 11 miles down the highway, has many more.
Getting to Sterling
Sterling is about 11 miles east of Soldotna on the Sterling Highway and roughly 130 miles from Anchorage by road. From Soldotna, drive east on the Sterling Highway.
Still need a place to stay? All three Kenai Riverside lodges have private Kenai River access, and Kenai Riverside Resort offers all-inclusive lodging and fishing packages.
Rules and seasons
- License. Anglers 16 or older need an Alaska sport fishing license. See our license guide.
- Middle river rules. The middle river is regulated more strictly than the lower, with rules for motors, bait, gear and, for some periods, which days boats may use. They change every year. Check the current ADF&G regulations and emergency orders before you fish.
- Kings. King salmon are in trouble around the world, and Alaska hasn't been spared. Most rivers across the state are closed to kings each year as the season approaches, because returns are projected to stay low, and we don't expect that to change soon. When we can fish for kings, we do; when we can't, we target sockeye and the other species in season.
- Trout. Our trout fishing is catch-and-release.
Book a Kenai River trip: from $250 per person
Questions about the Sterling stretch? Call (907) 268-2925. More on fishing in Soldotna and the lower river at Kenai.
Questions about fishing near Sterling, Alaska
Where can I launch a boat near Sterling, Alaska?
Bing's Landing and Izaak Walton both have boat launches, and Morgan's Landing has a campground and trails to the river. They are state sites; check Alaska State Parks for current fees.
Is Sterling good for rainbow trout?
Yes. The middle Kenai is known for rainbow trout, and the fall is best. Our trout season is August 8 to September 30, catch-and-release, with the best fishing mid-August to October 1.
Where do your Kenai River trips meet?
Most days at the Pillars Boat Launch, off Silver Salmon Drive on the Kenai Spur Highway, between Soldotna and Kenai. Occasionally later in the summer, and for fall trout trips, we launch at Bing's Landing in Sterling.
Can I camp near Sterling?
Yes. Bing's Landing, Izaak Walton and Morgan's Landing have campgrounds. Bing's Landing is first come, first served.
How far is Sterling from Soldotna?
About 11 miles east on the Sterling Highway.
Can I catch king salmon near Sterling?
King salmon are in trouble around the world, and Alaska hasn't been spared. Most rivers across the state are closed to kings each year as the season approaches, because returns are projected to stay low, and we don't expect that to change soon. When we can fish for kings, we do; when we can't, we target sockeye and the other species in season. Check the current ADF&G regulations and emergency orders.
What is the best time to fish near Sterling?
Sockeye usually peak Jul 23–Jul 29. Silvers run August 1 to August 31 and September 1 to September 30. Trout fish best mid-August to October 1.