The Russian River Sanctuary Area will open earlier this year for anglers looking to sport fish for sockeye salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game announced Monday. The Russian River Sanctuary area runs from about the Russian River Ferry to three ADF&G markers located to the east, where the Upper Kenai and Russian rivers converge.

Between June 22 and July 14, the Russian River Sanctuary will be open to fly fishing for sockeye salmon. For fish larger than 16 inches, anglers are limited to three per day with six in possession. For fish less than 16 inches, anglers are limited to 10 per day with 10 in possession.

From July 15 to Aug. 20, the sanctuary will be open to fly fishing for sockeye or coho salmon. For fish less than 16 inches, anglers are limited to 10 per day with 10 in possession. For fish longer than 16 inches, anglers are limited to three per day with six in possession in combination. Of those, only one per day and one in possession can be a coho salmon.

In fly-fishing-only waters, anglers are limited to one unweighted, single hook, unbaited fly with a gap between point and shank of three-eighths of an inch or less. The fly must weigh less than one quarter of an ounce and weights, if used, must be located at least 18 inches ahead of the fly, the division said.

Area management biologist Colton Lipka wrote in the division announcement that, as of June 19, about 9,160 sockeye salmon have passed through the Russian River weir. He wrote that it is expected to be “an average-sized run” and that the projected escapement goal will be achieved.

The division asked that anglers remove fish carcasses from the clear waters of the Russian River and to take fish to the mainstem Kenai River cleaning tables if they wish to clean a catch at the river. Carcasses should be cut into small pieces and thrown into deep, flowing waters of the river.

The fishery’s early opening comes a week after the division announced a wave of sweeping closures affecting king salmon on the peninsula. Those closures, announced in response to continued low king salmon runs, affect fisheries in Ninilchik, Kenai, Kasilof and Cook Inlet.

More information about fisheries closures and regulations can be found on the division’s website.

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