(Soldotna) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is liberalizing existing sport fishing regulations by opening the Russian River Sanctuary Area early to sport fishing for sockeye salmon. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 14 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2023 (the Russian River Sanctuary Area is open by regulation, July 15 – August 20). Anglers, please note that the Russian River Sanctuary Area is Area B in the map below. For addition information on the Upper Kenai River and Russian River Confluence Area, please review page 60 of the 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

The following sockeye salmon regulations apply for the Russian River Sanctuary Area:

June 14 – July 14:

• Fly-fishing-only waters;
• Sockeye salmon
  • 16 inches or greater in length; 3 per day, 6 in possession
  • Less than 16 inches in length; 10 per day, 10 in possession

July 15 – August 20:

• Fly-fishing-only waters;
• Sockeye or coho salmon
  • 16 inches or longer; 3 per day, 6 in possession in combination, of which only 1 per day, 1 in possession may be a coho salmon
  • Less than 16 inches in length; 10 per day, 10 in possession;

Through June 11, 2023, a total of 1,277 sockeye salmon have passed the Russian River weir. Based on projections of escapement from the Kenai River mile 13.7 sonar and the Russian River weir, ADF&G now estimates that the biological escapement goal (BEG) of 22,000–42,000 sockeye salmon will be met. When projections estimate the BEG will be exceeded ADF&G may then raise the sockeye salmon bag limits. ADF&G will be monitoring the run closely.

“Given the projections of escapement at the Kenai River mile 13.7 sonar, the escapement goal will likely be achieved and opening the Sanctuary Area early will allow anglers more time and area to target these fish,” stated Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates. “The Russian River early-run looks to be shaping up into a good-sized run and fishing will continue to improve through the week.”

Anglers are reminded to remove fish carcasses whole or gutted/gilled from the clear waters of the Russian River. In addition, if you intend to clean your catch at the river, please take your fish to the mainstem Kenai River cleaning tables located at the confluence and ferry crossing to fillet and cut up sockeye salmon carcasses into small pieces and throw the pieces into deep, flowing waters of the Kenai River. Please keep all personal belongings, including stringers of fish closely attended. Please respect habitat and cultural resource protection sites that are fenced or roped off, stay on the established trails and boardwalks in the Sanctuary Area, campground, and Russian River Ferry areas and use public restroom facilities in the campgrounds and ferry areas.

For additional information, please contact Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at (907) 262-9368.

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