Contact:
George Pappas
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 262-9368

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) discovered illegally-stocked northern pike in Scout Lake while sampling the lake last fall. In response, the sport fishing regulations for Scout Lake will change, from January 1, 2006, through April 30, 2006. Ice-fishing anglers targeting northern pike on Scout Lake will be allowed to use five lines provided that: (1) standard ice fishing gear is used, (2) the fishing gear is closely attended, and (3) all other species of fish caught are released immediately.

Northern pike may also be taken by spear or by bow and arrow, as long as the arrow is attached to the bow with a line, and the arrow has a barbed tip.  Pike anglers may also use two hooks on each line, provided that both hooks are attached to one single piece of bait. Although the use of live fish for bait is not allowed, anglers can use a whole, small herring or smelt, salmon eggs, or nightcrawlers, for example. Under the Emergency Order, the maximum number of lines for pike in Scout Lake is five. Anglers may use a spear or bow and arrow while fishing up to five lines for pike. If anglers wish to fish for and retain species other than pike, the maximum number of lines is two.  There are no bag or possession limits for northern pike on the Kenai Peninsula. 

This spring, ADF&G will further explore options to eradicate northern pike from Scout Lake.  Characteristics of the pike population in Scout Lake are currently unknown. To help us know more about the northern pike population in Scout Lake, ADF&G is asking that anglers to please contact biologist Rob Massengill in the Soldotna office at (907) 262-9368 and volunteer reports of their ice fishing efforts on Scout Lake.  ADF&G is interested in the number of northern pike caught per outing, their lengths, the number and type of other species caught, and the total number hours fished per outing. This information will provide the department with a better understanding of how many pike have been illegally introduced into Scout Lake and the potential impact pike had on the stocked coho and rainbow trout.

The Department of Natural Resources has agreed to leave the Scout Lake access gate open, beginning January 1, 2006, so as to provide parking, but will lock the gate if the facilities are vandalized.