The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Sockeye sport fishing to open early in Russian River Sanctuary Area

The move comes after widespread closures announced

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.

More in News

The Alaska Board of Fisheries hears public testimony at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 18, 1999. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion file)
Board of Fisheries again declines to hold Upper Cook Inlet meeting on Kenai Peninsula

The State Board of Fisheries this week rejected calls from the Kenai… Continue reading

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski takes a selfie with Rose Burke at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Burke won the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington, D.C., in December to light the tree. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connections student to light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Rose Burke, 9, won the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington D.C.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Soldotna man arrested for possession of child sex abuse material

He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility

A cruise ship is docked in Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward gets nearly $46 million for power upgrades at port

The funds are intended to transform Seward’s port into a “green port”

Troopers Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff are seen in a screenshot from body camera footage taken in Kenai, Alaska, on May 24, 2024. (Photo provided by Alaska Department of Law)
Grand jury indicts 2 troopers on felony assault charge

The complaint cites both audio and body camera footage

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Escott named new chief of Soldotna Police

Stace Escott has been promoted to chief of the Soldotna Police Department,… Continue reading

Campaign signs fill a wall near Paradisos Restaurant in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Candidates spend big on radio advertising, print mailers in final weeks of campaign

Only a week before the general election on Nov. 5, candidates are… Continue reading

An Alaska Division of Elections Official Election Pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
When, where to vote in the 2024 general election

Tuesday is Election Day! Voters in the Kenai Peninsula Borough will head… Continue reading

Most Read