Contact:
Larry Marsh
Assistant Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 262-9368

The Department of Fish and Game announced today that the Russian River Sanctuary Area will be open to sockeye salmon sport fishing at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 21.

The Russian River Sanctuary Area includes waters upstream from ADF&G markers located just downstream of the ferry crossing on the Kenai River to markers about 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman's Landing.  The Sanctuary Area also includes the waters around the upstream end of the island near the Russian River mouth, and the Russian River itself from its mouth upstream 100 yards to ADF&G markers. A map to the area can be found on page 31 of the 2006 Southcentral Alaska sport fishing regulation booklet.

The sockeye salmon bag and possession limit will remain at 3 fish.

Department staff have determined that the low end of the early-run sockeye salmon spawning escapement goal of 14,000 fish through the weir will be achieved.  More than 10,000 sockeye salmon have moved above the waters that are currently open, with approximately 5,000-6,000 additional fish in the Sanctuary Area.