The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is loosening up on the sport fishing regulation by increasing the limits of sockeye salmon to six per day and twelve in possession for the Russian River and a section of the mainstem Upper Kenai River. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
The section of the mainstem Upper Kenai River with the increased sockeye salmon limits includes the area that extends from Skilak Lake upstream to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing (this includes the Russian River Sanctuary Area) and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls. Anglers are reminded that they may possess only the limit allowed for the waters they are actively fishing. If a Russian River angler has more than six sockeye salmon in possession, then that angler may not fish in waters with a possession limit of six.
As of Monday, June 28, 2021, a total of 26,016 sockeye salmon have passed the Russian River weir, located upstream of the falls. ADF&G estimates that the escapement will exceed the early-run Russian River sockeye salmon biological escapement goal of 22,000 – 42,000 sockeye salmon.
Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka:
“Inseason projections of escapement from the Russian River weir counts are indicating the escapement goal is likely to be exceeded, therefore increasing the bag and possession limits will allow anglers the opportunity to bring home more fish.”
Anglers are reminded to remove fish carcasses whole or gutted/gilled from the Russian River clear water. If you clean your catch, take fish to the mainstem Kenai River cleaning tables located at the confluence and ferry crossing to fillet and chop-up sockeye salmon carcasses into small pieces and throw the pieces into deep, flowing waters. Please keep all personal belongings, including stringers of fish closely attended. Please respect the riverbank restoration projects and stay on the established pathways in the Russian River Sanctuary Area, campground areas, and Russian River ferry area.