Scout Lake

Scout Lake State Recreation Site provides access to a popular fishing lake on the Kenai Peninsula near Sterling. The 16-acre site offers camping and fishing facilities at a small lake stocked with landlocked silver salmon and rainbow trout. The recreation site serves the many anglers who visit the Kenai Peninsula seeking diverse fishing opportunities.

The lake supports stocked fish populations that provide excellent sport fishing. Moose, black bears, and various smaller mammals utilize the surrounding forest. The lake attracts waterfowl during migration, and loons may nest on quiet sections. Bald eagles patrol the area, and various songbirds populate the boreal forest.

Mixed Kenai Peninsula forest of spruce, birch, and cottonwood surrounds the lake. The understory includes devil's club, highbush cranberry, and typical coastal-interior transition plants. Aquatic vegetation in the lake shallows provides fish habitat and attracts waterfowl.

Scout Lake occupies a depression in glacial deposits on the Kenai lowlands. The Kenai Peninsula was heavily glaciated, with ice carving the lakes and depositing the materials that now form the landscape. The nearby Kenai Mountains expose ancient metamorphic rocks uplifted along active fault systems.

The site experiences the Kenai Peninsula's transitional climate, with maritime influences moderating temperatures. Summer temperatures typically reach 55-70°F while winters bring temperatures from 10-30°F. Annual precipitation averages about 20 inches. The relatively long fishing season extends from May through October.

Dena'ina Athabascan peoples inhabited the Kenai Peninsula for thousands of years, utilizing its diverse resources. Russian colonization and later American settlement brought development and commercial fishing. The Kenai Peninsula developed as Alaska's most accessible outdoor recreation destination with road access from Anchorage.

Scout Lake State Recreation Site was developed to provide fishing and camping access at a small lake convenient to Sterling Highway travelers. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake to provide quality fishing despite its small size. The site serves local residents and visitors seeking an alternative to the crowded river fisheries.

Fishing for stocked landlocked silver salmon and rainbow trout is the primary attraction. The small lake is suitable for float tubes, small boats, and shore fishing. The campground offers convenient overnight accommodations for multi-day Kenai trips. The site provides a quieter alternative to the busy salmon rivers nearby.

The recreation site offers approximately 10 campsites, vault toilets, and lake access. Located near Sterling along the Sterling Highway, it is easily accessible by paved road. The communities of Sterling and Soldotna provide services within a few miles. The site operates primarily from May through September.

Fish stocking programs are managed to provide sustainable angling in this small lake. Water quality monitoring ensures the lake remains healthy for fish. The site provides an accessible fishing experience that helps distribute angling pressure from the heavily-used salmon rivers.