The best time to see a moose at A Cabin by the Pond is end of May through most of June. They usually have their babies around the last week in May and many times show up in our pond the following month. Tourist activity starts to pick up the first part of July to early August. Moose get more skittish when there is more noise and people around and tend to hang out deeper in the woods. The chances of having many moose around during prime time, July 1st through August is diminished plus shortly after that hunting season opens and that also (thank goodness) drives them deeper in the woods. We usually see a return of the moose in early September before we close.

It’s rare to see a bear in our area. A Cabin by the Pond is across the street from the Kenai River but the river is a ways away and over a bank from us. If bears come into our general vicinity, they likely will run along the riverbank looking for decaying fish and remnants of fish that have been recently cleaned. It’s very rare to have a bear pass through our resort. We have had one walk through about every 4 years and usually in the middle of the night. They are pretty skittish around people. They are just looking for easy food.

Sockeye salmon (“Reds”) are the most popular fish to catch on the Kenai Peninsula. The smaller, early run starts around the beginning of June and lasts 2-3 weeks. Although these fish can be caught in most places on the Kenai River, these reds will collect in larger numbers at the confluence of the Moose River and the Kenai River in early June (about 15 miles from us) and in even greater numbers around mid June to mid July at the confluence of the Russian River and the Kenai River (about 40 miles from us). Since the first run is generally smaller fish and in fewer numbers, most local anglers wait to fish the larger second run starting the middle of July and lasting through the first week in August. Good red fishing can be found at the public fishing area one-quarter mile from the cabins and the Russian River. This fishery is so popular, that anglers tend to be shoulder-to-shoulder when fishing in the public areas. I have fished these areas with great success but prefer to go very early in the morning or late at night to get a good spot. Some anglers prefer to hire a guide to take them red fishing. If you plan to visit our area for the second run, plan early. July 15th through the first week in August can book up 6-8 months in advance. I love fishing Reds and also they are a great fish to eat. They require a special technique to catch as they don’t like to feed during their trip up the river to spawn. This can be somewhat frustrating for a beginner but is fun when mastered. Google “catching sockeye salmon” for more information.