The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge announced on Monday, Dec. 22, that they are allowing the use of snowmachines to provide access for ice fishing on Hidden, Kelly, Petersen, Engineer and Watson lakes.
A press release from the refuge said users must enter and exit the lakes using existing boat ramps and operate exclusively on the lakes. Skilak Lake remains closed for now due to a lack of ice at the upper and lower Skilak campground boat launches.
“Once ice conditions improve on Skilak Lake, it will be open for snowmachine access for ice fishing without further action from the Refuge,” the press release reads.
The rest of the refuge remains closed to snowmachining. The refuge advises snowmachine users to use caution when venturing out onto the ice — there may be areas unable to support the weight of a snowmachine and its rider.
According to a Facebook post from the National Weather Service Alaska, ice less than 2 inches thick should be avoided. At 4 and 5 inches, it may support walking and small groups, respectively. Ice 12 inches thick can support medium-sized trucks.
The post also says ice is never 100% safe.
“If you don’t know, don’t go,” the post reads. “Avoid cracks, slush and melting ice. When in doubt, stay on shore.”
For more information, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/kenai, call the refuge at 907-743-9145 or visit the headquarters on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.
