Sanctuary opened to sockeye fishermen

The day that thousands of Southcentral Alaska anglers wait for is upon us–the opening of The Sanctuary at the Russian/Kenai River Confluence to sockeye salmon fisherman, to harvest the big schools of salmon now gathering there, before heading up the Russian to spawn.

It’s combat fishing at it’s finest, or worst, so be careful if you go.  And also be cautious of brown bears coming to feeing on the growing number of fish carcasses in the river.

The sockeye run on the Kenai seems slightly better than average, compared to another dismal king salmon run saw the Kenai closed to all king fishing until July 1 for the lower section, entirely for the middle and upper river.

Here’s the complete release from ADF&G:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation liberalization by opening the Russian River Sanctuary area early for anglers to sport fish for sockeye salmon. This regulatory change is effective 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018, through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018. Please review the Upper Kenai River and Russian River Confluence area map (Area B) on page 60 of the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

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

June 19 – July 14, 2018:

• o 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, 2018:

• o fly-fishing-only waters
• o 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;

Anglers are reminded, after August 20, 2018, the retention of sockeye salmon is prohibited in this area.

Through Sunday, June 17, 2018, approximately 7,759 sockeye salmon have passed the Russian River weir. Average run timing to this date is 15%. ADF&G estimates that the early-run sockeye salmon biological escapement goal of 22,000-42,000 sockeye salmon will be met.

Sport fishing for sockeye salmon in the Russian River area will likely remain good to excellent for the next several days. 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 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 Sanctuary.