The State of Alaska is considering a proposal to stock John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski with rainbow trout starting in 2022, according to a release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The lake is located near Mile 23 of the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikiski.

The proposal by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game Division of Sportfish’s Soldotna Office is proposing to add the lake to Alaska’s Statewide Stocking Program. If added, the state would stock John Hedberg Lake with 700 catchable-sized rainbow trout and about 1,000 rainbow trout fingerlings each year starting in 2022.

A public comment period on the proposal opened on July 15 and will close on July 26 at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted via email to Soldotna Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka at colton.lipka@alaska.gov or to Soldotna Assistant Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at jenny.gates@alaska.gov.

Written comments can be mailed to:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite B

Soldotna, Alaska 99669

More information about the proposal can be found on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website at adfg.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.