Partners

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Alaska Department of Fish & Game: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov
Frazer Lake on Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the second largest lake on Kodiak Island in Alaska. It was barren of anadromous fish until 1951 when a stocking project was initiated by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). The Frazer site was chosen as the location to establish a self-sustaining sockeye salmon run. The Frazer fish pass consists of a diversion weir and a series of "fish ladders". The success of the introduced salmon run at the Frazer site has created a food source for the Kodiak brown bear and has increased bear density in the surrounding area. Permitted air transporters fly visitors to Frazer to enjoy the scenery and the opportunity to view bears in their natural habitat on the Kodiak NWR, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). USFWS and ADF&G have worked to create a safe environment for both humans and bears, by developing established trails and viewing areas, food storage lockers, and signage directing visitors in the areas where public access is allowed. Learn more about the Frazer Lake Project here.

Alaska Geographic:  https://www.akgeo.org
Alaska Geographic, a nonprofit retail and education partner of Kodiak NWR, provided funding for this project. Purchases, donations, and memberships sold at the Kodiak NWR Visitor Center directly support projects like these. Shop Kodiak here.

Friends of Alaska Refuges: https://alaskarefugefriends.org
The mission of Friends of Alaska Refuges is to promote the stewardship of Alaska's unique national wildlife refuges through education, support, and advocacy.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kodiak/about-us

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I see on the Kodiak Alaska Frazer Weather Live Cam?

This live cam shows the remote Frazer Lake and Dog Salmon River area on Kodiak Island, with views of Alaska weather, river conditions, surrounding terrain, and seasonal wildlife activity.

Where is the Frazer Weather Live Cam located?

The cam is located near Frazer Lake and the Dog Salmon River on Kodiak Island, Alaska, an area known for wild scenery, salmon habitat, and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Why is the Dog Salmon River important?

The Dog Salmon River is an important salmon-spawning area connected to Frazer Lake. Its cold, clean water supports salmon and helps fuel the surrounding ecosystem.

When is the salmon run at Frazer Lake?

Salmon activity is seasonal, with fish typically returning upstream during the warmer months to spawn. During peak movement, the river can become a lively corridor for salmon and wildlife.

Can Kodiak brown bears be seen near Frazer Lake?

Kodiak brown bears are part of the surrounding ecosystem and may be present in the broader Frazer Lake area, especially when salmon are available. Sightings depend on season, weather, and where wildlife chooses to move.

What makes Kodiak Island weather so changeable?

Kodiak Island has a maritime climate shaped by the Gulf of Alaska, which can bring frequent clouds, rain, shifting visibility, and cool temperatures through much of the year.

Why is this camera useful for weather watching?

The Frazer area can experience fast-changing cloud cover and visibility, making the cam helpful for observing current weather patterns in a remote part of Kodiak Island.

What is Frazer Lake known for?

Frazer Lake is one of Kodiak Island’s notable freshwater lakes and is closely tied to a successful sockeye salmon run. The lake and river system support fish, bears, birds, and a rich coastal Alaska food web.

What animals might live around the Frazer Lake area?

The area may support salmon, Kodiak brown bears, birds, and other wildlife adapted to wet, cool Alaska habitats. Wildlife activity changes with season, food availability, and weather.

Why do salmon return to rivers like the Dog Salmon River?

Salmon return to freshwater to spawn, completing a life cycle that connects ocean and river ecosystems. Their return also provides food for bears, birds, and other animals.

What is the best season to watch for salmon activity?

Summer into early fall is often the most interesting window for salmon-related activity in Alaska river systems. Conditions vary each year, so river level, weather, and timing all matter.

What is the best time to watch weather changes on the cam?

Mornings and evenings can be especially interesting because light, cloud layers, fog, and visibility often shift quickly. Stormy or rainy days can also show the wild character of Kodiak weather.

Does the Frazer Lake area get much rain?

Yes, Kodiak Island is known for frequent precipitation, especially in the cooler seasons. That moisture helps keep the landscape green and supports the rivers, lakes, and habitats seen on the cam.

What are winters like near Frazer Lake?

Winters are generally cool and wet, with snow, rain, clouds, and changing visibility all possible. The surrounding Gulf of Alaska helps shape relatively mild but unsettled coastal weather.

What are summers like near Frazer Lake?

Summers are typically cool compared with many inland places, with long daylight, green landscapes, and active salmon and wildlife cycles. Cloud cover and rain can still appear often.

Why is the Frazer Lake salmon run important for bears?

Salmon provide a rich seasonal food source for Kodiak brown bears. When salmon return, they help support bear activity and the broader wildlife community around the lake and river.

What role did the Frazer Lake fish project play?

The Frazer Lake salmon run was supported by a stocking and fish-passage project that helped establish a self-sustaining sockeye run. That project also increased food availability for wildlife in the area.

What is a fish ladder?

A fish ladder is a passageway that helps fish move past obstacles as they travel upstream. At Frazer, fish-passage structures are part of the salmon story connected to the lake and river.

Why is Kodiak Island famous for brown bears?

Kodiak Island is home to Kodiak brown bears, a large bear population shaped by the island’s rich coastal habitats and seasonal food sources like salmon and berries.

What should viewers watch for during cloudy weather?

Cloudy days can reveal changing cloud ceilings, mist, rain bands, and shifts in visibility across the landscape. Those subtle changes are part of what makes this remote weather cam interesting.

What should viewers watch for after rain?

After rain, the river may look livelier, vegetation can appear especially vivid, and clouds may lift or break over the surrounding terrain. It is a good time to notice how quickly the landscape changes.

Why is Frazer Lake part of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge?

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge helps protect important habitats for bears, salmon, birds, and other wildlife on Kodiak Island. The Frazer Lake area is part of that larger conservation landscape.

How can viewers watch wildlife respectfully from afar?

Enjoy sightings without encouraging close contact or disturbance. Remote viewing is a wildlife-friendly way to appreciate bears, salmon, and wild places while leaving animals undisturbed.

Who helps support the Frazer Lake live cam project?

The page lists partners connected to the project, including U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska Geographic, and Friends of Alaska Refuges.

What makes this Kodiak cam fun to check throughout the year?

The scene can change dramatically with fog, rain, snow, shifting river conditions, salmon season, and wildlife movement. It is a quiet window into one of Alaska’s wildest island landscapes.