Alaska Handicap Access Fishing Info

This is a thread to benefit handicapped fishermen -- Veterans, and anyone else who may be handicapped. Any known info about handicapped fishing access, or changes in the status of different spots, can be posted here.

[I realize the vast wilderness of Alaska may not provide too many places that offer handicapped access. There are many towns that are ideally situated for the salmon runs because they have rivers running through them. Several of these towns have bridges crossing these rivers that are perfect places to catch salmon.

If anyone wants to start putting these up, it would be appreciated. It might not seem like a big deal to those who have the mobility to go anywhere, but they would mean a lot to a handicapped or disabled person with limited mobility. ]


Additionally, if there are any Alaska charter boat captains or outfitters that have experience helping those who are handicapped or disabled, feel free to post your contact info here.

This info was compiled by Buckmasters American Deer Foundation, or www.badf.org They are a great group who seems to go out of their way to help disabled and handicapped people.

This is a partial list of accessible fishing spots. Not all of the places are text book accessible by any means, but with some effort and assistance you can get to them.

• Russian River at the Tawah ferry crossing at mile 55 of the Sterling Highway. (Rainbow Trout, Red Salmon, Silver Salmon) The ferry is usable with some help, the ferry staff is very helpful. There is an accessible fishing area adjacent to the ferry dock.
• Susitna River at the Burma Landing. (King, Red, Silver, Pink Salmon) Get accurate directions in Wasilla. The campground and landing are accessible, but lots of action around landing makes fishing not so good from bank at the accessible landing (a small boat would be nice).
• Centennial Park in Soldotna. (Silver, Pink, Red, King Salmon, Dolly Varden). Accessible campground with fishing from the boat landing, fishing is good.
• Portage Valley's Alder Pond, Mile 1.5 of the Portage Spur Road. (Rainbow Trout) Turn right on a gravel side road, Alder Pond has two accessible docks.
• Anchor River (King, Silver Salmon), Mile 156 of the Sterling Highway. Public campground with an accessible fishing platform.
• Beach Lake (Rainbow Trout and grayling) Mile 17 of the Glenn Highway Birchwood Loop South exit (Chugiak High School access). Go west on gravel road and follow the municipality Beach Lake Park signs, cross railroad tracks and stay right at the Y in the road.
• Bradley Kepler Lakes. (Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Land Lock Silver Salmon) Mile 36 of the Glenn Highway, turn North on gravel entrance to park. Will need assistance getting down a hill to the dock.
• Cheney Lake. (Rainbow Trout) North Anchorage. Paved trail up to lake, fish from side of lake with good fishing for stocked trout.
• Jewel Lake. (Rainbow Trout) South Anchorage off of Diamond Blvd. or the 88th St. Fishing form shore for stocked trout is good.
• Mirror Lake (Rainbow Trout) About 15 miles north of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Take the Mirror Lake Turnoff. Park with cooking facilities, bathrooms.
• Eklutna Trail Race. (Silver and Chum Salmon) Old Glenn Highway to Eklutna Power Plant, last left before power plant.
• Knik Lake (Rainbows and Grayling)
• Nancy Lake (Rainbows) Mile 66.5. Turn west on north side of railroad tracks and go in to the boat launch. Campground with bathrooms and water.
• Hidden Lake (Rainbow Trout, Grayling, and Red Salmon) Mile 58 of Sterling Highway, turn on Skilak Lake Loop Rood. Hidden Lake Campground on the right about 5 miles down the Loop Rd. Has accessible camp sites and bathrooms, paved sites and roads (Nice).
• Ohmar Lake (Rainbow Trout) Skilak Lake Loop Road about 10 miles on left. Fire pits, small bathroom (inaccessible) with steep hill to lake.
• Engineer Lake (Land Lock Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout) Skilak Lake Loop Road about 11 miles on right, marked with sign. Flat gravel camping area with steep hill to lake.