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Winter appears to have taken a wrong turn this year as mild temperatures continue to linger in the area, and that means one thing for anglers: extended ice-free fishing.

According to Robert Begich, the sport fish area management biologist with the Department of Fish and Game in Soldotna, lower elevation lakes and ponds are still a week or more away from freeze-up even if the mercury takes a dive.

Forecasts don't indicate that's going to happen, though.

"It's kind of a new ballgame with this kind of weather," Begich said.

This means the fish living in the lakes are still feasting away, taking advantage of the extended season to fatten up.

In the Kenai River, anglers are best advised to turn their rod tips toward rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, however silvers are still around.

Begich said the trout bite had slowed in the later part of September, but suspected changes were in the works.

"I think the warmer weather is going to turn the bite back on," he said. "This week could be good."

Fishing has been stronger in the upper-middle of the Kenai between Bing's Landing and the outlet of Skilak Lake, though Begich reported nice sized dollies being caught on the upper river.

"The upper-middle is the best bet," he said, "But it's so nice out it doesn't matter unless you absolutely have to catch fish."

The one potential downfall this weekend is that recent rain and snowmelt have sent river levels up and reduced water clarity.

Minor flooding occurred in the Kenai Lake area of Cooper Landing as the upper river crested on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

The upper-middle is expected to crest on Saturday, but stay several feet below minor flood levels.

In southern peninsula streams, steelhead have continued to make their up river, but angler reports have been less than positive.

"I've heard it's been pretty spotty," said Nicky Szarzi, the sport fish area management biologist with Fish and Game in Homer.

Some investigative reporting on the Anchor River conducted two weeks ago confirmed those reports.

"The fish are either coming in and scooting on up or they're not eager to come up because of low water," Szarzi said.

The fish are more likely to enter the streams after rainfall increases their flow. Otherwise anglers will do best to get out early in the morning.

Szarzi also said fishing for winter kings has been "fairly good."

The non-local fish hang around Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet feeding, and are available through the winter.

Anglers will do best to visit points and underwater promontories where baitfish concentrate.

The fish move frequently though, and success is a day-to-day affair.

"Some days some spots are good, others you can't touch a fish," Szarzi said.

Dante Petri can be reached at dante.petri@peninsulaclarion.com.