Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski
State Recreation Site
(Kenai Peninsula)
(Printer
version Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski State Recreation
Site)
Anchor Point History
The first written descriptions of the land and people of the Kenai Peninsula are
found in the 1778 journals from the British sponsored expedition of Captain
James Cook. According to legend, Anchor Point got its name when Captain Cook
lost an anchor near the mouth of the river.
Homesteading began in the Anchor River area in the early 1900's. They came from
Homer, to the south, and Kenai and Ninilchik, to the north, and survived by
hunting, fishing, and farming. They were a hardy lot and many of them and their
descendants still live in the area.
Wildlife abounds around the Anchor River, with moose, beaver, mink, bald eagles
and a variety of ducks along the river, and harbor seals, sea otters, and beluga
whales near shore in Cook Inlet.
Across Cook Inlet from Anchor Point three of seven volcanoes bordering the inlet
can be seen. To the south, Mount Augustine, then Mount Iliamna, and Mount
Redoubt to the north. Mount Augustine’s last eruption was in March 1986; Mount
Redoubt’s latest eruption was in April 1990. No eruption of Mount Iliamna has
ever been recorded.
Anchor Point, where Anchor River State Recreation Area is located, is the most
westerly point on the U.S. Highway System.
Stariski State Recreation Site is situated on a high bluff overlooking Cook
Inlet, offering spectacular views of Mount Augustine, Mount Iliamna and Mount
Redoubt. The park is five miles north of Anchor Point with nine individual camp
sites. A small, quiet campground away from the crowds. There is no fishing at
Stariski SRS.
Fishing Information
The Anchor River is one of Alaska’s premier fishing areas. Please consult
current fishing regulations provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game
for information on seasons, closures, limits, and methods and means before you
wet your line.
The Anchor River supports runs of king, silver, and pink salmon, as well as
Dolly Varden and steelhead.
The king salmon run is the most popular fishery. The run begins in late May and
peaks in the second week in June. Flies, spinners, and salmon eggs are the most
popular methods for catching the king of salmon.
Dolly Varden begins running early in July and continues throughout the summer.
Flies, spinners, and salmon eggs work best for catching this species of char.
Pink Salmon runs begin in mid-July and run into August. Larger runs of pink
salmon occur on even numbered years. Flies and spinners work best for catching
these salmon.
Silver salmon begin running at the end of July and run until the beginning of
September. Salmon eggs, spinners and flies are used for catching silvers, with
salmon eggs being the most popular.
Steelhead runs begin in late August and continue into October. This aggressive
and prized fish is pursued by the hardiest of anglers with fly fishing being the
most popular and successful method.
Source: Alaska State Parks.
For more information on Alaska State Parks, visit the Alaska State Parks web site.
Alaska
National Parks
Denali National Park,
Kenai Fjords National Park,
Lake Clark National Park,
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska State
Parks by Region
Anchorage,
Interior Alaska,
Kenai Peninsula,
Kodiak,
Mat-Su
Valley,
Prince William Sound,
Southeast Alaska,
Southwest Alaska
Alaska State Parks by Name
Anchor River State Recreation Area and Stariski SRS,
Birch Lake
State Recreation Site,
Caines Head State Recreation Area and Resurrection Bay State Marine Parks,
Captain
Cook State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Area,
Chena
River State Recreation Site,
Chilkat Bald
Eagle Preserve,
Chugach State Park,
Clam Gulch
State Recreation Area,
Deep Creek
State Recreation Area,
Delta
Junction Area State Parks,
Denali State Park,
Haines Area State
Parks,
Harding
Lake State Recreation Area,
Independence Mine State Historical Park,
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park,
Kasilof Area State
Parks,
Kenai
River Special Management Area,
Kodiak Area State
Parks,
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area,
Ninilchik
State Recreation Area,
Point Bridget
State Park,
Salcha
River State Recreation Site,
Sitka Area State Parks,
State Marine Parks in Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay,
Summit Lake
State Recreation Site, Tok
Area Parks,
Totem Bight
State Historical Park,
Upper Chatanika State Recreation Site,
Wickersham State Historic Site,
Wood-Tikchik
State Park
