Upper Russian Lake Fishing Trip, June 2006

Four of spent a few days at Upper Russian Lake on the Kenai Penninsula. Here's a photo of us taking off from the Kenai River in Cooper Landing.

The Upper Russian lake is at the headwaters of the famous Russian River. The entire first run of Sockeye Salmon in the Kenai River make their way to the Upper Russian Lake. Because they are spawning you can't fish for them however the lake grows some dandy Rainbows and Dolly Varden.

This is Goat Creek where the many of the Sockeye spawn. This is critical Brown Bear habitat and is protected from hunting. Since it's at the other end of the three mile lake I never made it that far.

The pilot circled the lake for us so I could look the lake over carefully. I didn't see any weed beds.

You can hike to this lake via the Russian Lakes trail. It's about a 9 - 12 mile hike depending on which trailhead you use.