Hidden Lake fishing
Hidden Lake fishing lists Sockeye Salmon, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, and Dolly Varden on a natural lake, outside the stocking reports. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.
- Last stocked
- Not in these reports
- Plants on record
- 0
- See fishing notes
- Species recorded
- 5
Fish at Hidden Lake
Sockeye Salmon Confirmed present
ADFG says smolts gather in the lake by the hundreds of thousands each June before migrating down Hidden Creek to Skilak Lake, with up to 30,000 adults returning to spawn in June and July. (adfg.alaska.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
How to fish it
Smolts gather in the lake by the hundreds of thousands each June before migrating down Hidden Creek to Skilak Lake; adults return the same route in June and July to spawn, with as many as 30,000 fish in a season, drawing bears to the creek mouth. (adfg.alaska.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Where: Hidden Creek
The lake's southern outlet to Skilak Lake, where migrating sockeye salmon draw bears to the creek mouth each summer. (adfg.alaska.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Kokanee Salmon Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk
Best: dawn, dusk
Recreation.gov lists kokanee among the lake's resident fish, along with trout and Dolly Varden. (recreation.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Kokanee Salmon species guide 
Rainbow Trout Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk
Best: dawn, dusk
Recreation.gov lists rainbow trout among the refuge's Kenai-system fish, alongside sockeye and coho salmon and Dolly Varden. (recreation.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Rainbow Trout species guide 
Coho Salmon Confirmed present
Recreation.gov lists coho salmon among the refuge's fish populations here. (recreation.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Coho Salmon species guideDolly Varden Confirmed present
Recreation.gov and ADFG both list Dolly Varden among the lake's resident fish. (recreation.gov, accessed September 25, 2026)
Dolly Varden species guideHidden Lake is known for its diverse fish population. Sockeye salmon migrate in the tens of thousands, with spawning adults returning in June and July. Anglers can also find other species in the lake, including Arctic char, coho salmon, lake trout, and rainbow trout. Winter access allows for ice fishing. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping, dock
A free boat launch with trailer parking is at Hidden Lake Campground, with hand pumps nearby. The lake is open to motorized and non-motorized boats, but personal watercraft like jet skis aren't allowed.
Other places to fish at Hidden Lake
About Hidden Lake
The lake also holds rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, coho salmon, and kokanee, reachable from a free boat launch at Hidden Lake Campground. Hidden Lake sits inside Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, reached via Skilak Lake Road off the Sterling Highway. Each June. drawing brown and black bears to the creek mouth. sockeye salmon smolts gather in the lake by the hundreds of thousands before migrating down Hidden Creek to Skilak Lake; up to 30,000 adults return the same route in June and July to spawn.
Anglers should be aware that the lake and creek are noted for the presence of both brown and black bears. Additionally, much of the shoreline is very steep, which could pose challenges for access.
