Chugach

Kenai-Russian River Confluence Whether your visit includes connecting with your culture, nature, or harvesting food, we hope you enjoy your stay, and join us in respecting the cultural and natural resources. Chiqinik (Thank you)! ANGLER INFORMATION Tips for Catch & Release • If you’re planning to release a fish, keep it underwater at all times— this increases its chance of survival and reproduction. If you want a photo, keep the fish out of the water for less than 10 seconds. • Using barbless hooks and a rubber net makes it easier to release fish. Treat Your Catch with Care Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods in the world. By taking excellent care of your fish, you can look forward to many delicious meals. • Once landed, stun the fish quickly using a rock or small club. Bleed the fish by ripping the gills. • While on the river, whole fish can be kept cool on a 12-foot stringer (see retained fish regulations). • Plastic bags and ice can help keep the fish clean and cool until you are ready to process the meat. Fish Waste Attracts Bears! Bears eat fish heads, backbones, and other parts left behind from filleting. Reducing fish waste (and all human food sources) will help reduce bear-human conflicts. • • • Remove fish whole and fillet it offsite. (Take it home or to a local commercial fish processor.) If you must fillet onsite, use the cleaning tables at the Kenai-Russian confluence, or at the ferry. After filleting, cut carcasses into many pieces and throw them into fast-moving currents. Sportman’s Landing Boat Launch • Stringers of fish must be kept within 12 feet of you. • Pets must be leashed at all times. • Discharging a firearm is prohibited except in defense of life or property. No warning shots. No hunting. ST E Recreating in proximity to wild animals including moose and bears carries an inherent risk. Your safety is your own responsibility. KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE • Stay on trails and make noise to prevent surprise encounters. • Do not run from bears. Running could trigger a pursuit. • Stay in a group and keep children close. • Follow all regulations at all times. They are designed to protect you, your family, and the bears. Russian River Trail 2.4 miles to falls CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST Russian River Falls Viewing Platform Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Weir • Immediately report all bear encounters to agency staff. For Anglers • If a bear approaches while you are reeling in a fish, cut the line. Do not let a bear get a fish from your line. • Keep a clean camp. Store all attractants in bear resistant containers or your vehicle. Entrance Station 600 Yard Marker (this section of river closed to all sport fishing. Open to subsistence fishing by permit only) • Carry accessible bear spray and be prepared to use it. For Campers WAY Russian River Campground For All Visitors • Don’t let bears get an easy meal of fish waste. Carry your catch out whole, or chop your fish waste into small pieces and throw them in fast-moving water. IGH K’Beq Heritage Site BEAR SAFETY BASICS Bears in Alaska have only a short season to find enough food to survive the winter. Both black and brown bears can be seen fishing in the rivers, resting on the banks, traveling along the trails and boardwalks and meandering through the campground. GH Russian River Ferry Failure to comply with these regulations is subject to citation. 50 CFR 36.39(i) (5) & (11) and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and 36 CFR 261.10 (d). This area is NOT managed for bear viewing. Don’t approach or follow bears, or behave in other ways that cause conflicts between people and bears. RLIN ER The Dena’ina people have lived in this region, known as Sqilantnu (Ridge Place River), for thousands of years. It remains an important site for present-day Alaskans. • On the river, all personal items such as backpacks must be within 3 feet of you (preferably on you). RIV Each year, over 150,000 people visit the Russian River Campground, Ferry Access Site, Sportsman’s Boat Launch, Russian River Falls, Russian Lakes Trail and K’Beq’ Cultural Site. • ALL attractants and equipment used to cook and store food must be stored in a bear-resistant container, enclosed in a hard-sided camper or stored in your vehicle. IAN The Kenai-Russian River Confluence lies 110 miles south of Anchorage and 40 miles east of Soldotna, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This unique area combines world-class fishing opportunities, important cultural heritage sites, and spectacular scenery. SPECIAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT! Legend and regulations shown on other side of this flyer SS to the Kenai and Russian Rivers! Overview Map RU WELCOME Chugach National Forest, Seward Ranger District (907) 288-3178 For questions or more information about the Kenai-Russian River Confluence, please contact: Anchorage NORTH SCALE 1:2300 0 0.5 1 mile 2 km Lower Russian Lake Russian River Campground Campsite Barber Cabin (By reservation only) Kenai-Russian River Confluence Map to Soldotna Sport fishing in the Kenai and Russian Rivers is managed by the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Anglers are required to have a State of Alaska fishing license and obey all regulations and emergency orders. Information can be obtained online at www.adfg.alaska.gov. Sportsman’s Landing Boat Launch MILE POST 55 STERLING 54 HIGHWAY KE 10 E D C A 3 4 6 7 9 11 12 An gle rs 13 14 Tra i Grayling Parking Lot King Salmon Loop NA I R IVE Rainbow Trout Loop R l 15 17 19 18 20 R 27 28 LEGEND 0 .25 miles .5 miles Visitor Information Parking Lot Boat Launch Fee Collection Restroom Fish Cleaning Stations Chugach National Forest Sterling Highway Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Trail Fish Weir Cabin Campsite Waterfall State of Alaska Cook Inlet Region Inc. Private Land Paved Road Angler’s Trail Powerline River Access Points e Forest Service Weapons Discharge Order—36 CFR 261.10 (d). Discharge of weapons/firearms prohibited except in defense of life or property. USFWS Weapons Discharge, Food Storage, and Retained Fish Regulations—50 CFR 36.39(i)(5) & (11). Attractants, including coolers and backpacks, must be within 3 ft. of you. Retained fish must be within 12 ft. of you. Overnight camping and campfires prohibited except in designated areas. Discharge of firearms prohibited except in defense of life and property. Pets must be leashed. MILE POST 53 K’Beq Heritage Site Overflow Parking Red Salmon Loop Russian Lakes Trail Lower Parking Entrance Station eT ra Russian Lakes Trail Fee Collection Information 2.4 miles to falls Russian Lakes Trail Upper Parking End of Developed Trail (Steep-Walled Canyon) REGULATIONS IN EFFECT Russian River Ferry W 32 SCALE 1:12000 hit 30 31 1 km ag il 29 LINE U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) NORTH or Russian River Campground 26 POWER ch Steelhead Loop 25 KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE An Pink Salmon Parking Lot 24 RUSSIAN RIVE to Silver Salmon Loop 21 23 Russian River Ferry 16 22 B 1 2 5 8 Resurrection Pass National Recreation Trail 38 Miles to Hope MILE POST CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Forest Service Food Storage Order for Developed Rec Sites—36 CFR 261.58. All attractants, including food and refuse, must be properly stored. See order for more information. Forest Service Food Storage Order for Russian River and Angler Trail—36 CFR 261.50 (a). Attractants, (including coolers and backpacks, must be within 3 ft. of you or acceptably stored in a hard-sided camper or vehicle. Retained fish must be within 12 ft. of you. Pets must be leashed. ADF&G Kenai & Russian Rivers Confluence Sanctuary. Closed to all fishing from May 1st thru July 14th. From July 15th thru August 20th these waters are fly fishing only. See Sport Fishing Regulations for complete information. See Emergency Orders and News Releases for any early openings. ADF&G Kenai River Sanctuary. Closed to all fishing from May 1st thru June 10th. From June 11th thru August 20th these waters are fly fishing only. See Sport Fishing Regulations for complete information. See Emergency Orders and News Releases for any early openings. ADF&G Russian River Hunting Closure. Closed to hunting in June and July. See applicable Game Management Units 7 & 15 hunting regulations for more information. (Area not shown above, area shown on overview map on other side of flyer)