Chum Lake Fishing in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

• Overview

  Look for Chum Lake in the Kenai Peninsula Borough part of Alaska. The setting is rolling bush on every side. Surface area runs to about 21 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Kenai Peninsula Borough are larger. Sterling lies 19 miles from the water. The big place round here is Anchorage, 37 miles distant. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Chum Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Kenai Peninsula Borough include northern pike, sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Work Chum Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 57°F in July and bottoms out near 16°F in January. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Climate averages put the opening at about late April and the closing near early November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Chum Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Dog Lake sits 0.3 miles off and takes the overflow. For Chum Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.