Fishing at Hat Lake, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

• Overview

  Hat Lake is one of the Kenai Peninsula Borough waters in Alaska. It lies 197 feet above sea level. It measures about 34 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 1.3 miles on foot. It is a small entry by Kenai Peninsula Borough standards. The closest town, Sterling, is 18 miles distant. Funny River follows at 20 miles, then Ridgeway at 25 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Hat Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Kenai Peninsula Borough include northern pike, sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The near bank of Hat Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 16°F to 57°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. On average, late April opens the water and early November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Hat Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Lo Lake is 0.3 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Hat Lake.